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Fresh Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

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A quick and easy authentic Mediterranean tzatziki sauce made with fresh cucumbers, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon, and dill. Perfect as a dip, spread, or accompaniment to grilled meats and veggies.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1 medium cucumber (about 8 oz / 225 g), Persian or English
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Wash and peel the cucumber if the skin is thick or waxed. Grate it finely using a box grater or food processor (about 5 minutes).
  2. Transfer the grated cucumber to a fine-mesh sieve or wrap it in a clean kitchen towel. Press firmly or twist to squeeze out as much liquid as possible to avoid watery sauce.
  3. Peel and finely mince 2 garlic cloves. Adjust to taste if a milder garlic flavor is preferred.
  4. Rinse and finely chop about 2 tablespoons of fresh dill.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups (480 ml) Greek yogurt with minced garlic, chopped dill, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Stir gently but thoroughly.
  6. Fold in the drained grated cucumber, mixing until evenly distributed without breaking down the cucumber too much.
  7. Add ½ teaspoon salt and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
  9. Give the tzatziki a final gentle stir before serving. It should be creamy, cool, and bursting with fresh flavor.

Notes

Drain the grated cucumber thoroughly to prevent watery sauce. Use fresh garlic and dill for best flavor. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. For vegan variation, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut or almond-based yogurt and add apple cider vinegar for tanginess. If sauce is too thick after chilling, stir in a teaspoon or two of cold water or lemon juice. If too thin, drain more cucumber liquid or use thicker yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: tzatziki, homemade tzatziki, Greek yogurt sauce, Mediterranean dip, cucumber sauce, garlic sauce, fresh herbs, easy sauce recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/fresh-homemade-tzatziki-sauce-recipe-easy-authentic-mediterranean-flavor/