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Home » Recipes » Appetizer

June 18, 2020

Greek Tzatziki (VIDEO)

Published June 18, 2020 | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Jump to Recipe

Delicious Greek Tzatziki is a refreshing sauce you can easily make at home. Grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice and mint mixed into yogurt.

It’s the best when made fresh! Just a handful of common ingredients create a truly authentic dip that goes with a variety of food but especially well with my Chicken Souvlaki and Flatbread!

Tzatziki sauce in blue bowl, pita bread around it.

Summertime is all about quick dishes, snacks and fresh produce. No one wants to spend time in the kitchen when it’s hot and beautiful outside! 

As a mum of teenagers it’s important to have a few healthy snacks on hand to satisfy ravenous hunger and to nourish their rapidly growing bodies. For this purpose I love having a container of cut up vegetables in the fridge, which could be dunked in delicious dips. Hummus and Tzatziki are our favourites.

Another winner is this Creamy Cilantro and Walnut Dip.They are as tasty as they are nutritious!

Tzatziki sauce is widely available in most supermarkets but none of them can compare with a fresh homemade version, which I am sharing today.

 

yogurt and cucumber dip sprinkled with fresh mint on a platter with pita and cut up vegetables

Tzatziki sauce has a complicated history. It’s widely known as a Greek staple. However a little research tells us that the garlicky yogurt and cucumber dip arrived to Greece from India via the Ottoman Empire.

You know that cooling cucumber raita, which tastes absolutely amazing with fiery Indian curries? That is the distant predecessor of the tzatziki sauce! 

Granted it’s been changed along to suit the local palate to become the Tzatziki we know and love today. 

Although the tastes changed slightly it still serves the same purpose. To provide a tangy counterbalance to the rich grilled meat. No wonder we usually see it served on top of Chicken or Pork Souvlaki and Lamb Gyros. 

cooking stages for Greek Tzatziki

How to Make Tzatziki Sauce 

Making it is so easy and only takes about 5 minutes. Just grate a cucumber and squeeze out the liquid. Don’t skip that step, otherwise you will end up with a watery dip!

Then mix the grated cucumber into a thick Greek yogurt. You can use full fat or fat free yogurt to save on calories. Just make sure your yogurt is the thick, strained kind. 

Then add grated garlic, lemon juice and fresh or dried mint. A good measure of sault is necessary! Drizzle with good quality extra virgin olive oil. Let it stand for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. 

Greek tzatziki in blue bowl with cut up red and yellow peppers and pita bread

What to serve with it

As I mentioned earlier, it’s ideal with grilled meat but it’s also excellent as a vegetable dip, which makes it a healthy option! 

Just cut up red, yellow and green peppers, carrots sticks, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes. Whatever your heart desires! It’s absolutely delicious while light and refreshing!

Once prepared Tzatziki could be kept in a fridge for up to 1 week. 

More Favourite Summer Dips to Try:

  • Whipped Feta and Ricotta Dip with Mint Pistachio Pesto
  • Hummus with Grilled Eggplant
  • Smoky Baba Ganoush 
Tzatziki sauce in blue bowl, pita bread around it.

Greek Tzatziki

Julia Frey of Vikalinka
Delicious Greek Tzatziki is a refreshing sauce you can easily make at home. Grated cucumber, garlic and lemon juice mixed into yogurt.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 minute min
Course Appetiser, Appetizer, condiment
Cuisine Greek
Servings 8
Calories 41 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 250ml/1 cup Greek plain yogurt (I used Fage) full fat, low fat or non fat
  • 50g/1/3 cup grated cucumber
  • 1 clove garlic small
  • ½ tsp fresh mint chopped or ¼ tsp dried mint
  • ½ lemon, juice only
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Grate the cucumber, then put in a clean cloth and squeeze out the liquid, discard the liquid.
  • In a medium bowl combine the yogurt, grated or pressed garlic, lemon juice, grated cucumber, finely chopped fresh mint or dried mint and salt to taste. Combine and let sit for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to blend. Then put in a serving dish and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with additional fresh mint.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 13mgPotassium: 9mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 37mg
Keyword Greek tzatziki, tzatziki
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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1830 shares

About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
read more..

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    at

    5 stars
    Such a fantastic recipe! I set this out with some vegetables for my kids to snack on and it’s one of their favorites!

    Reply
    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      at

      Such a healthy and tasty snack for kids, isn’t it?!!

      Reply
  2. Lauren Kelly says

    at

    5 stars
    Nothing beats homemade tzatziki! I love this recipe!

    Reply
    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      at

      Homemade is always best!

      Reply
  3. Toni says

    at

    5 stars
    This quickly became a staple sauce at my house! Really good and easy to make!

    Reply
    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      at

      Thank you for your feedback, Toni!

      Reply

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Julia from Vikalinka

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

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Julia from Vikalinka

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

More about me →


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