If you’ve ever visited any country around the Mediterranean and Middle East, you know that plain yogurt is a household staple. Growing up in Turkey with a mom who frequently cooked Turkish recipes, our household was no different. My mother would serve every dish with either plain whole milk yogurt, her favorite Yogurt Dressing, or this easy-to-make tzatziki sauce recipe.
What is Tzatziki Sauce?
Tzatziki is a yogurt-based dip, spread, or sauce that is popular in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Known by many names, such as Greek Tzatziki sauce, Tzatziki Sauce, and Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, in my family, we put it on just about anything – from meat to gyros, to Turkish kebabs, to grilled vegetables. I like to call it the Turkish version of ketchup!
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 English Cucumber, peeled
- 1 ½ cups Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 teaspooon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup fresh dill
Instructions
- Using a shredder, shred the cucumber. Transfer it into a strainer and strain all of its juices pressing it with a rubber spatula. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Using a spatula, fold in the cucumber and dill. Transfer to a bowl.
- If you have time, cover with plastic and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Make the recipe as written up to 3 days before serving. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. Be sure to give it a good stir before serving.
- Storage: This sauce will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Simply place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. If you notice any liquid separation, just give your Tzatziki a good stir before serving.