Easy Tzatziki Sauce
User Reviews
4.9
-
Prep Time
7 mins
-
Additional Time
30 mins
-
Total Time
37 mins
-
Servings
8
-
Calories
65 kcal
-
Course
Appetizer, Condiments
Easy Tzatziki Sauce
Description
This tzatziki sauce starts with an English cucumber grated using the large holes of a box grater, then salted and drained to remove water that could thin the sauce. The drained cucumber is gently folded into a mixture of yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and fresh chopped dill. Salt and freshly ground black pepper season the sauce to taste.
The sauce is refrigerated for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to meld and the texture to thicken slightly. The result is a creamy and herbaceous sauce with refreshing cucumber notes and a mild garlic bite. Olive oil adds richness while lemon juice brightens the flavor.
Tzatziki pairs well with grilled meats, gyros, pita bread, or vegetables. It can be drizzled lightly with additional olive oil when served. Its texture is creamy, cooling, and slightly chunky due to the grated cucumber pieces giving some body to the sauce.
The recipe notes mention the option to peel the cucumber and substitute dried dill or garlic powder if fresh ingredients are unavailable. It also cautions to consume the sauce within two days for safety, as it contains fresh dairy and garlic.
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups yogurt or plain yogurt, plain, Greek
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice more to taste, fresh
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon dill chopped, fresh
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber with the large holes on a box grater. Place in a fine mesh strainer and toss with salt. Let rest 5 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and dill.
- Gently squeeze out the liquid from the cucumber and fold it into the yogurt mixture. Season with salt & black pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Drizzle with additional olive oil to serve.
Notes
- Peeling and seeding the English cucumber is optional depending on your texture preference.
- If fresh dill or garlic is unavailable, substitute 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder respectively.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; store-bought may add bitterness.
- Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors develop.
- Consume tzatziki within 2 days to avoid spoilage and potential food safety risks.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 65 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.25cup | |
| Calories | 65 | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 22mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 126mg | 3% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 85IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 2.1mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 62mg | 6% |
| Iron | 0.1mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
You'll Also Love
