Addictively Creamy Yogurt Tzatziki Recipe – A Great Dip For Parties

I am obsessed with all foods Mediterranean, and this yogurt tzatziki pretty much tops my list.

Do I dream of white buildings hovering over a deep blue ocean? Yes.

Do I wish I could live somewhere where it’s normal to eat chickpeas for breakfast? Yes.

Disclaimer: I’ve never been to Greece, but I imagine amazing things. My bestie once brought me some beautiful soap back from her trip there, plus some very strong booze. My sister lived in nearby Israel where she was ecstatic that veggies and dip are standard breakfast.

And here is my mom, circa 1982, hanging in my Mediterranean dreamland:

I love olives, I love hummus, I love falafel and I’ll drizzle olive oil on just about anything, but nothing beats the cold creaminess of yogurt tzatziki.

With its unique pairing of a luscious base with something as light and crunchy as cucumber, it’s both refreshing and indulgent—not an easy profile to come by!

If you need some ideas about how to eat tzatziki, using it alongside dips and toppings like hummus and picked red onion on a mezze platter is a great start!

Or you can water it down a splash and drizzle it over a salad like this Mediterranean chickpea salad or a buddha bowl.

It adds so much creamy deliciousness wherever it goes!

What Is Tzatziki?

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber sauce originating from south east Europe and the Middle East. It’s made with a yogurt or sour cream base, plus shredded cucumber, garlic, lemon juice and fresh dill. It’s commonly served in gyros and on mezze platters with bread and veggies to dip.

Is Tzatziki Vegan?

If you’re wondering “is tzatziki vegan?” the answer is yes and no. Traditionally, tzatziki is made with sheep or goat’s milk yogurt, but it’s very adaptable. It can be made with vegan yogurt, vegan sour cream and/or vegan cream cheese.

Luckily, there are more vegan options for non-dairy basics than ever. 

This recipe is made with greek yogurt, but you can sub with a nondairy yogurt or vegan sour cream/cream cheese combination if desired.

Is Tzatziki Healthy?

Yes, tzatziki is very healthy! It’s made from a few whole and healthy ingredients, and can be made nondairy if desired. Yogurt provides probiotics, cucumber provides fiber and olive oil is anti-inflammatory. Add in the nutrition of garlic and dill, and tzatziki could even be considered a superfood sauce.

Yogurt Tzatziki Ingredients

• Greek Yogurt: I like to use plain, unsweetened nonfat Greek yogurt, but if you prefer full fat that will only add extra yumminess. As mentioned before, subbing with vegan yogurt is an option too.
• Cucumber: Doesn’t matter if your cucumber is English or Persian or something else, just peel it before use either way.
• Garlic: Add more or less as desired. It can get very garlicky and still be delicious or way too strong if you don’t like your garlic strong. Two cloves is somewhat strong but still kind of in the middle.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: I would not try sub anything else here like lime or orange, lemon is required!
• Fresh Dill: If you don’t have fresh you can use dried dill. It’s not quite as flavorful, but it’ll work in a pinch.
• Olive Oil: I would not recommend subbing with any other type of oil.

How To Make Yogurt Tzatziki

Yogurt tzatziki starts with a base of greek yogurt. All you need to do is add flavor: cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil.

First, you grate the cucumber then squeeze it through a cheesecloth before adding to a bowl.

Next, juice some lemon. Add it to the cucumber.

Mince the garlic and dill, and toss it all together with the yogurt and olive oil.

So now that you know how to make this yogurt tzatziki, let me know in the comments below what you’re eating it with!

I love it with olive oil crackers, dolmas, toasted pita bread, falafel, and the list goes on.

Honestly, I could eat a bowl of it all by itself, it’s really that delicious!

And it’s even better after a couple of hours (or even a day) of thickening up in the fridge.

Tzatziki’s Sister Sauce

You can’t go wrong with this Mediterranean hummus, packed with nutrients to keep you full, and flavors to keep your tastebuds happy.

It’s fast, easy, and way more delicious than anything off a grocery store shelf!

View Hummus Recipe

Yogurt Tzatziki

So yummy and so easy, this creamy yogurt tzatziki is bursting with flavor. Packed with lemon, garlic and dill, you won't want to stop dipping.

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Course Dips, Dressings & Sauces, Sides & Salads

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 3/4 English Cucumber
• 1.5 cup Greek Yogurt
• 2 clove Garlic
• 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp Fresh Dill Use dried if you don’t have fresh. It’s not quite as flavorful but it’ll work in a pinch.
• 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

• Grate cucumber, then squeeze out the water in a cheesecloth. (It will seem like less cucumber, that’s okay.) Add to a small mixing bowl.
• Use a citrus juicer (or your hand) to squeeze lemon. Add to bowl.
• Mince the garlic and the dill, and add to bowl with the rest of the ingredients, plus the olive oil. Mix until your sauce is nice and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

Nutrition Facts

Yogurt Tzatziki

Amount per Serving

Calories

48

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

 

0.2

g

1

%

Trans Fat

 

0.003

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Cholesterol

 

3

mg

1

%

Sodium

 

19

mg

1

%

Potassium

 

132

mg

4

%

Carbohydrates

 

4

g

1

%

Fiber

 

0.2

g

1

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

5

g

10

%

Vitamin A

 

44

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

 

2

mg

2

%

Calcium

 

64

mg

6

%

Iron

 

0.2

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.