Tzatziki Sauce

Did you know you can make restaurant-worthy tzatziki sauce in the comfort of your own home? Well, you can! You'll come back to this top-rated tzatziki sauce recipe again and again.

What Is Tzatziki Sauce?

Tzatziki is a refreshing cucumber-yogurt dip or sauce that comes together quickly with basic ingredients. The creamy sauce, which has roots in Southeastern European and Middle Eastern cuisines, is a staple in Greek cuisine. It's commonly served alongside souvlaki or drizzled on top of gyro meat.

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients

You'll need the following ingredients to make this top-rated tzatziki sauce recipe:

· Cucumbers: Start with two large cucumbers, grated and drained of excess moisture.
· Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is ideal for this tzatziki recipe.
· Olive oil: Choose a high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
· Fresh herbs: This tzatziki sauce is flavored with minced garlic and fresh dill.
· Lemon juice: Lemon juice enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and adds a subtle brightness.
· Seasonings: The tzatziki is simply seasoned with salt and pepper.

Tzatziki Pronunciation

Not sure how to say "tzatziki?" We've got you covered: Tzatziki is pronounced "tuh-zee-kee."

How to Make Tzatziki Sauce

Making homemade tzatziki sauce is actually quite easy. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this classic tzatziki:

1. Prep the cucumbers: Peel and seed the cucumbers, then grate them with a box grater. Squeeze out the excess liquid.
2. Mix the ingredients: Mix the grated cucumber with the remaining ingredients. Stir until well-combined.
3. Chill the tzatziki: For the best flavor, chill the tzatziki in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.

Tip: To ensure extra-thick tzatziki, make sure your yogurt is thick to begin with. You can use any type of yogurt and strain it yourself in the fridge. Just set a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth over a bowl. Add yogurt, cover, and refrigerate until the liquid drains off, 8 hours to overnight.

How to Store Tzatziki Sauce

Store homemade tzatziki sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. However, it's important to note that the tzatziki is only as good as its yogurt. If the yogurt you're using expires tomorrow, so does the tzatziki.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This was so good," raves Juliann. "I made it with Greek yogurt and let the cucumbers drain for about an hour. My sauce was nice and thick."

"I LOVED this," says amberkaye. "I've tried many, but this is THE ONE. I made Traditional Gyro Meat from this site and it was the best gyro ever. I'll use this for gyros and dip for pita chips and veggies."

"Simple. Easy. Delicious," according to La Gringa Gourmet. "I use this as a condiment on grilled lamb burgers, with some sliced tomato and red onion, and lettuce. Yum!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams and Diana Moutsopoulos