Learn how to make this easy authentic tzatziki recipe—a creamy yogurt dip made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil, and lemon juice. Perfect as a dip or sauce, it’s delicious any time of the day.
I learned how to make tzatziki from the librarian at work, who happens to be Greek. I was never a big fan of tzatziki because the store-bought versions always tasted bland—until I tried homemade. Homemade tzatziki beats store-bought any day with its fresh, vibrant ingredients, richer texture, and the perfect balance of garlic and herbs to suit your taste. This easy authentic tzatziki recipe is tangy, garlicy and fresh.
Tzatziki has a rich history that spans across Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. The version most people know is Greek Tzatziki, a thick and creamy dip made from strained yogurt, cucumbers, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like dill or mint. It is famously served as an appetizer with pita bread or as a sauce for gyros and grilled meats. One of my favourite ways to enjoy tzatziki is in a gyros or with flatbread.
Ingredients you'll need for authentic Tzatziki
- Greek yogurt: The core ingredient in tzatziki, providing the thick and creamy base.
- Cucumber: Provides the dip with its signature fresh, cool, and bright flavour, along with a refreshing texture and lightness. I like to use Lebanese cucumber over continental cucumber.
- Garlic: A core ingredient in tzatziki, providing its signature sharp, fresh flavour that balances the creamy yogurt and cool cucumber.
- Lemon juice: Adds a bright, citrusy acidity and tang, enhancing the overall freshness of the sauce by balancing the richness of the yogurt and the savoury garlic.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Contributes flavour, a rich creamy texture, and a smooth mouthfeel, balancing the tangy yogurt and fresh cucumber
- Dill: Fresh herb that provides the signature aromatic and slightly pungent flavour. You can swap the dill for mint. Dill provides the classic, herbaceous backbone of traditional tzatziki, while mint adds a cooling, refreshing lift that cuts through rich, savoury flavors.
How to make authentic Tzatziki
Making tzatziki is super easy and takes less than 10 minutes. To make it you will need full fat or reduced fat Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is thick and creamy, so don't use regular plain yogurt as this will make your dip too runny. More importantly, make sure you are using fresh garlic (not the jar stuff), fresh herbs and extra virgin olive oil. Before serving, allow to sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to develop the flavours.
There are only two steps to making Tzatziki
- Remove the seeds from the cucumber, then use a box grater to grate it. Place the grated cucumber in a fine sieve and squeeze out the excess water.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and cucumber until well combined. Then transfer to a serving bowl and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.
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That's it. Very simple and tasty. If you enjoyed this delicious dip, please leave a comment.
Easy Authentic Tzatziki Recipe
Learn how to make this easy authentic tzatziki recipe—a creamy yogurt dip made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil, and lemon juice. Perfect as a dip or sauce, it’s delicious any time of the day.
4
servings10
minutesIngredients
1 Lebanese cucumber
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tspn lemon juice
2 tbsp dill, finely chopped
Directions
- Prep the cucumber: Remove the seeds from the 1 Lebanese cucumber and grate it. Place the grated cucumber in a tea towel or paper towel and squeeze tightly to extract all excess water.
- Mix ingredients: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp finely chopped dill, and the drained cucumber
- Chill and serve: Transfer to a serving dish and refrigerate for a few hours before serving. Pair with flatbread, pita, grilled meats, or vegetables.
