Homemade tzatziki sauce is an easy yogurt and cucumber sauce that is flavored with fresh lemon juice, a touch of garlic and a good amount of mint. Tzatziki takes less than 10 minutes to make and is a great accompaniment to toasted pita chips and grilled meats.
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Tzatziki is a Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce that is quick to make and goes with so many other dishes. I grew up eating my weight in cucumber yogurt sauce and have made it in all sorts of different ways over the years.
Traditionally, tzatziki is made with shredded cucumber that is mixed with yogurt, lemon juice, mint and dill. In a pinch, I’ve used dried mint and dried dill and the results are always delicious.
Add tzatziki sauce to shish tawook or a dollop on top of chicken shawarma bowls and on top of mediterranean nachos! But really, tzatziki is so creamy and bright, a simple smear on warm pita bread is all you need.
Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt: The thicker style of Greek yogurt ensures that the tzatziki doesn’t get too thin or watery. Use full-fat yogurt for maximum flavor and texture.
- Cucumber: A thin peel Persian cucumber or English cucumber has less seeds and a tender peel. If using a more traditional cucumber, you may need to pat it dry to soak up any excess moisture.
- Lemon Juice: As they say, fresh is best.
- Fresh Mint: Fresh mint is bright and aromatic but if fresh isn’t available, substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried mint.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh dill is optional but highly recommended. Remove the tender fronds from the stems and give it a good chop. If fresh dill isn’t available, use 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill and add more if desired.
- Garlic: Grate a garlic clove with a microplane or finely chop it.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle gives the cucumber yogurt sauce a bit more richness.
How to Make Tzatziki
- Shred the cucumber and let the shreds drain in a colander or pat dry with paper towels and add the cucumber to a bowl.
- Add the yogurt, grated garlic, fresh lemon juice and fresh or dried herbs. Season with salt and pepper and add a little olive oil.
- Mix the sauce until well incorporated and taste for seasoning. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh mint for serving.
How to Make Toasted Pita Chips
If you are looking for an easy dipper to serve with tzatziki, here is a simple recipe to make your own pita chips, which are also great to serve alongside homemade hummus.
- Cut the pita bread into 6-8 triangles and brush with olive oil.
- Dust the pita triangles with desired seasonings, such as zaatar, sumac or garlic powder and place the pita triangles on a baking sheet.
- Bake the pita chips at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden brown and toasted.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Cut the cucumbers into small chunks instead of shreds.
- Add crumbled feta to the yogurt sauce.
- Substitute dried mint and dried dill for the fresh herbs.
- Add harissa to make it spicy.
Tzatziki ca be made ahead of time and lasts for 3-4 days in the fridge. There are a lot of fresh ingredients in the recipe and after 3-4 days, moisture can seperate, changing the texture.
What to Serve Tzatziki With
- Greek Tomato Fritters
- Vegetarian Grape Leaves
- Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
- Salmon Shawarma Salad
- Mediterranean Falafel Bowl
- Mediterranean Salmon Burgers
- Round Borek with Greens and Cheese
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce with Pita Chips
Equipment
Ingredients
- Tzatziki
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Persian cucumber grated with the large holes of a box grater
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves + more for garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon olive oil + more for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pita Chips
- 2-3 pita bread cut into 6-9 triangles
- Olive oil for drizzling
- 1 teaspoon zaatar
- 1/2 teaspoon sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Tzatziki Sauce
- Shred the cucumber and let the shreds drain in a colander or pat dry with paper towels and add the cucumber to a bowl.
- Add the yogurt, grated garlic, fresh lemon juice and fresh or dried herbs. Season with salt and pepper and add a little olive oil. Mix the sauce until well incorporated and taste for seasoning.
- Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh mint for serving.
Pita Chips
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the pita bread into 6-8 triangles and brush with olive oil. Dust the pita triangles with desired seasonings, such as zaatar, sumac or garlic powder and place the pita triangles on a baking sheet.
- Bake the pita chips at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden brown and toasted.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Love this dip. The mint is great. We are doing chicken shawarma and combining it with this.