Tzatziki Sauce (Greek yogurt sauce)

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

Creamy and refreshing, Tzatziki sauce is a Greek classic made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs. Perfect for dipping or as a condiment!

It costs about $4.87 to make this Tzatziki recipe. The recipe makes three servings for approximately $1.62 per serving.

Tzatziki is similar to my Turkish cucumber-yogurt dip called Cacik. Both contain creamy yogurt and fresh ingredients like mint, dill, and cucumbers. Try them both and see which one is your favorite.

Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki, pronounced as [zah-dzee-kee], can be drizzled over meats to enhance flavor. Additionally, you can try dipping crunchy veggies or rustic pieces of bread in tzatziki for a delicious treat.

You’ll be tempted to make homemade tzatziki sauce repeatedly, as the possibilities for enjoying it are endless.

Tzatziki is a rich and creamy sauce full of fresh herbs and a versatile sauce. I love making this during the summer and making dinner easy! It is a great way to step up any dinner. 

Ingredients you will need for the best Tzatziki sauce

Yogurt–use full-fat Greek or whole-milk yogurt for optimal creaminess. If you are looking for more of a dip, use Greek yogurt. If you are looking for more of a sauce-like consistency, use whole milk plain yogurt.

Cucumbers–I prefer English cucumbers because they tend to be seedless, and the skin is really thin– which means no peeling for me (or you). Also, Persian cucumbers are a great choice as well.

Garlic–use two cloves of minced garlic or ¼ tsp of garlic powder (garlic powder is what I used).

Dill–adds the perfect freshness.

Mint–more freshness!

Lemon Juice–promises the perfect twang.

Lemon Zest–actually adds a lemony flavor.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $4.87

Per Serving Cost: $0.41

• 1 large English cucumber – $0.98
• 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt – $2.38
• 1 Tablespoon fresh dill – $0.33
• One teaspoon dried oregano – $0.05
• 1 teaspoon dried mint – $0.41
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.01
• 2 Tablespoons cucumber liquid – $0.00
• 3 Tablespoons lemon juice – $0.68
• 1 Tablespoon lemon zest – $0.00
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt – $0.01
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – $0.02

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the prices for this recipe in April 2023.

How To Make Tzatziki Sauce

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

1. First, grate the cucumber into small pieces. Then place it over a strainer. 
2. Sprinkle kosher salt over the cucumber to help release extra liquid, and set it aside for five minutes. 
3. After five minutes, squeeze the cucumber to squeeze out the liquid. Set aside two tablespoons of the cucumber liquid. 
4. Next, mix the yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, mint, oregano, garlic powder, cucumber liquid, salt, and pepper. 
5. Cover and chill the sauce in the fridge for at least two hours. 
6. Finally, serve with warm pita bread, vegetables, or meat. 

Tips for making the best Tzatziki Yogurt Sauce

1.) Shred the cucumber with a cheese grater or food processor to achieve small pieces.

2.) Put the shredded cucumber in cheesecloth over a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and let it rest for 5 minutes or so. When ready, squeeze all of the excess juice out. This step helps to get rid of all the excess liquid–creating a thicker greek(er) yogurt dip.

Recipe Variations

• After making this delicious sauce, consider these different dipping vehicles: toasted pita wedges, toasted sliced baguette rounds, tortillas, wedge potatoes, chicken, beef, fish, broccoli, etc. The options are endless!

Recipe FAQs

More Healthy Dips

• Eggplant Dip
• Simple Guacamole Recipe (with Tips!)
• Garlicky Zucchini Yogurt
• Easy Mexican Salsa
• Creamy Zucchini Hummus
• Marinated Tomatoes Over Seasoned Greek Yogurt

Tzatziki Sauce

Recipe Cost 4.87

Serving Cost 0.41

Course Dressings and Sauces

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 12 people

Recipe Cost $ 4.87

Serving Cost $ 0.41

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Creamy and refreshing, Tzatziki sauce is a Greek classic made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs. Perfect for dipping or as a condiment!

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Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 1 large English cucumber grated or processed into small pieces
• ▢ 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt can use greek yogurt
• ▢ 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
• ▢ 1 tsp dried oregano
• ▢ 1 tsp dried mint or 2 tbsp minced mint leaves
• ▢ ¼ tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves of garlic
• ▢ 2 tbsp cucumber liquid see notes
• ▢ 3 tbsp lemon juice about 1 lemon
• ▢ 1 tbsp lemon zest about 1 lemon
• ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
• ▢ ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste

Instructions

PREP THE CUCUMBER

• Grate or process the cucumber into small uniformed pieces.
• Put the finely grated or processed cucumber over a strainer or cheesecloth. Sprinkle kosher salt over the cucumber to help release any excess liquids. Set aside for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, squeeze the cucumber to help release any liquid (you want to squeeze as much as you can out). Save 2 tbsp of the cucumber liquid.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

• In a medium-sized bowl, add the yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, mint, oregano, garlic powder, cucumber liquid (see notes), salt and pepper. Mix well (the more you mix, the thinner–but more concentrated the flavor will be).
• Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
• Serve with warm pita bread, crunchy vegetables, or over juicy meat.

Notes

This recipe makes about 3 cups of dip. 

Cucumber liquid: when you squeeze out all of the liquid from the cucumbers, make sure to reserve at least 2 tbsp of the cucumber liquid to add to the sauce.

If you do not favor one of the herbs, feel free to omit one.

 

Equipment

Measuring cups and spoons

box grater or food processor

Colander

Mixing bowl

Wooden mixing spoon

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 31kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 117mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 0.2mg

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