How To Make Tzatziki Sauce

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Tzatziki Sauce – How to Make Tzatziki – Greek Garlic Yogurt Sauce

When making authentic tzatziki sauce, going the extra mile for roasted garlic is a delicious way to really bring out the flavors.

Because this is an extra step from purchasing pre-made garlic, you may want to complete this step, plus the next step on prepping and straining yogurt, the day before you actually need the dip. This breaks the recipe down into two days, with prep able to be done the night before if you want and combination the day of.

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What To Serve It With:

The recipe people generally think of when they see tzatziki is falafel or a gyro. I mean, when you dine at a Greek or Mediterranean restaurant, you’re pretty much guaranteed to enjoy this sauce.

But Tzatziki sauce is incredibly versatile. The consistency is more similar to a dip, in my opinion. I’ve used tzatziki sauce with:

  • All kinds of meat including beef, lamb, pork, chicken and seafood. It is seriously fantastic when served with any of these.
  • Chips, vegetable sticks, and warm pita bread. It makes a great dip that is much healthier than so many other options out there.
  • Baked potato topping. Skip the sour cream and replace it with tzatiki for extra protein.
  • On top of burgers and sandwiches. This is where that garlic punch really stands out.

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What Is Tzatziki And What Should You Do With It

I was first introduced to tzatziki sauce as a very young child, with the opening in my neighborhood of a new restaurant, The Athenian Room. This small cozy place specialized in savory grilled Greek chicken, marinated skirt steaks and kabobs, wide steak fries soaked in a red wine vinaigrette, salads with slabs of salty feta on top, and gyros. It quickly became a family staple, and to this day, some 45-plus years later, it remains a stalwart for everything from lazy Tuesday takeout to family birthday celebrations.

I crave their avgolemono soup all winter long. I think the skirt steak may be the best one in Chicago. And the Greek fries are totally my kryptonite. But it is their tzatziki that is the one thing I make at home.

WATCH: How to Make Classic Tzatziki Sauce

Try Tzatziki Sauce With Sour Cream:

Tzatziki Recipe (Greek Cucumber Yogurt Sauce)

You can substitute sour cream for the Greek yogurt in this recipe. Other variations also include lemon juice and olive oil. Feel free to use what you prefer or have on hand.

If you have been reading for long, you know we love to use what we have or can get on sale. This is how I save money and keep our grocery budget low.

Save that money for a family vacation or maybe just some wiggle room in the budget. Easy recipes like this keep my family happy and my grocery budget in good shape.

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Is Tzatziki Sauce Good For You

Yes! The primary ingredients in tzatziki are Greekyogurt and cucumbers. Greek yogurt is highin protein, packed with calcium and also an excellent source of potassium,protein, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12. Itis also low in cholesterol and calories. In additional, Greek yogurt containsprobiotic cultures which promotes digestive health.

Stop Buying This You Can Make Tzatziki Sauce At Home

Use this tasty tzatziki recipe to make a healthier version of store-bought tzatziki sauce and save money, too. Your taste buds will love it!

When you have the abundance of cucumbers that August brings, mix up some fresh tzatziki, a yogurt-cucumber dip that is delicious with potato chips, over a salad, or in a pita with falafel or lamb. Fresh tzatziki tastes nothing at all like the bland stuff you get at Costco. Its light, and refreshing and turns an ordinary meal into a memorable occasion.

I learned to make tzatziki sauce from Ruth, an Israeli chef that visited Joybilee Farm as a wwoofer a few years ago. Ruth had finished her IDF duty and was visiting Canada on her year abroad. Ruth taught me to cook quite a few Israeli dishes. The memories of Ruths visit are yummy ones.

The day we made Tzatziki sauce we had homemade goats milk yogurt and grated cucumbers draining in separate colanders on the kitchen counter. At the end of the day, we combined the ingredients and fresh herbs, and served it up with whole wheat and flax chapatis, filled with spicy ground lamb, lettuce and tomatoes. Not quite a gyro. More like a soft taco, without the salsa. The leftover tzatziki tasted even better the next day.

Use this tzatziki recipe to make a healthier version of tzatziki sauce and save money, too.

  • Total Time:3 hours + 15 minutes
  • Yield:2 cups1x
  • 1 tbsp. good quality virgin olive oil

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Ways To Serve Tzatziki Sauce

  • Serve chilled with pita bread, or crackers.
  • Use it as a chip dip with potato chips.
  • Use as a spread in gyros or wraps. Top with tomato and cucumber slices and mild onions.
  • Use it as a vegetable dip.
  • Use tzatziki sauce as a salad dressing.
  • Serve it as a topping over rice or quinoa.
  • Eat it out of the jar with a spoon.
  • Tzatziki is a versatile and healthy dip that youll be glad to make at home. Make it when you have an excess of garden cucumbers and an overflow of homemade yogurt.

    If you dont have homemade yogurt, check out this recipe that uses Greek yogurt instead of lebna, from Attainable Sustainable.

    How To Store Homemade Tzatziki

    How to Make Tzatziki Sauce | Allrecipes.com

    Store your prepared Tzatziki dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You may notice a little separation after a day or two in the refrigerator. If you do, give the sauce a good stir and it should even itself out.

    I dont recommend freezing cucumber sauce for later use. In my experience the sauce does not freeze well, because the cucumbers tend to get mushy from freezing and thawing. However, if you really want to, yes you can freeze it. It will not go bad by any means, but it will just not have the same preferred texture.

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    Is Tzatziki Low Carb Or Keto Friendly

    Dietary Information: This recipe is Low Carb and Keto Friendly and given an A by Carb manager, based on 1/4th cup serving!

    Disclaimer: Dietary information provided by Carb Manager. If you are on a KETO or Low Carb diet, always make sure to double check your own information with this or My Fitness Pal based on the brands and weights you use. I am not responsible for the calculations but do try to provide as much information as possible for readers to make informed decisions.

    How To Serve Tzatziki

    Along with spreading it liberally within souvlaki/gyros wraps and with calamari, there are still tons of other ways to enjoy this authentic Greek tzatziki sauce, including:

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    What Is Tzatziki Sauce Made Of

    It is so simple to make. You only need greek strained yogurt, cucumbers and spices to make this sauce. Everything comes together for a the best sauce that you are going to love. You only need a few simple ingredients for this amazing sauce.

    You can quickly and easily make this homemade sauce and it is so tasty. The name sounds a little intimidating but it really is very simple to make. The seasonings blend together with the yogurt and cucumbers for a really amazing flavor.

    I like to put a pretty generous drizzle of this sauce on my gyros. It is that good and just the best sauce ever.

    Tzatziki Sauce Is A Lusciously Creamy Flavorful Sauce Or Dip That Is Healthy And Easy

    How To Make The Best Tzatziki Sauce (Recipe)

    Tzatziki Sauce is a versatile condiment that will make all of your Mediterranean recipes better! You can serve Greek tzatziki as a dip for veggies and pitas, as a spread for burgers and sandwiches or as a sauce for all your favorite Greek recipes from souvlaki to gyros. It is make-ahead friendly so its the perfect dip/condiment to have on hand. This tzatziki sauce recipe is made with Greek yogurt, cucumbers, fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper for a crazy flavorful sauce. Ive also included tips on how to make the BEST tzatziki recipe NO runny tzatziki, NO bland tzatziki and NO stringy tzatziki!

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    Ingredient Substitutions And Variations

    • No lemon juice? Red wine vinegar is a delicious substitution.
    • Using a traditional cucumber? Peel the cucumber and slice it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds by scraping them out with a spoon, then shred the cucumber and drain well.
    • Swap the dill for fresh mint. Or use a combination of the two!
    • For extra flavor, add a drizzle of good quality olive oil before serving.
    • For a dairy-free or vegan version, use your favorite plain non-dairy yogurt. If youre using a non-Greek variety, be sure to strain it through a piece of cheesecloth to thicken it up.

    How Long Does Homemade Tzatziki Last In The Fridge

    Homemade tzatziki sauce is best consumed fresh. You can freeze it, if you have some leftover, but dont expect the result to be perfect. The cucumbers will become a bit mushy and the sauce a bit more watery.

    You can store your homemade tzatziki sauce in the fridge in an airtight container. It will last for about 3 days before it starts going bad. If it has gone bad you can tell by the smell. If it smells sour, like yogurt or milk gone bad, then it is time to get rid of it.

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    A Few Important Tips For Best Results

    1- To make tzatziki, start by grating the cucumber in your food processor with a pinch of kosher salt. I like to use English seedless cucumbers that have been at least partially peeled. Make sure that you drain the cucumbers very well over a mesh sieve. You can do this step ahead of time, or if you’re in a rush, it’s helpful to place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen cloth or a heavy napkin and squeeze all the liquid out.

    2- I like to mix my actual tztaziki sauce by hand in a large bowl. First, combine the garlic with white vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch more salt. Add the drained cucumber. Finally, stir in the strained yogurt Make sure to stir until everything is well combined.

    3- For best taste and texture, cover tztaziki sauce tightly and refrigerate for a couple of hours before use.

    4- If you’re not sure you can handle this much garlic, start with half the amount of garlic the first time you try it.

    5- To change things up, feel free to stir in a little bit of fresh dill or mint

    How To Serve Tzatziki Sauce

    Homemade Basil Tzatziki Sauce | How To Make Tzatziki Sauce | Dips Recipe By Ruchira

    This creamy condiment is delicious served as a dipping sauce for grilled meats like my Grilled Greek Chicken or Greek Chicken Kabobs. Try spooning a generous amount on Chicken Pitas totally irresistible!

    Its also delicious served with any kind of grilled vegetables and a natural accompaniment for my Greek Potatoes.

    I love to round out an appetizer menu with a healthy platter of fresh veggies, Toasted Pitas and a bowl of Tzatziki Sauce for dipping.

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    What Does Tzatziki Mean In Greek

    Although tzatziki sauceis undeniably Greek, the actual word tzatziki comes from the Turkish word cack which in turn comes from the Armenian word cacg.

    Tzatziki pronunciation

    Tzatziki is has a lot of letters going on I have to check my spelling every time! But at least I know for certain how to pounce it: tsaht-ZEE-kee. You can here the correct tzatziki pronunciation here.

    What Do You Serve This Recipe With

    Oh I serve this easy tzatziki sauce with everything! Its especially good with chicken and beef, but also goes great over a bowl or on top of a delicious salad.

    I also use it as a dip for veggie trays, for bread, for pizza, for my wraps, for just about anything. There really is no limit to how you can eat this sauce.

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    How Do You Make Greek Tzatziki

    After you have your thick Greek yogurt and shredded cucumber, the rest is pretty simple. Finely chop 1 tablespoons of dill, mince 2 cloves of garlic, and measure out 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. You can let the yogurt sit for a few hours, or zero hours if youre like me and want tzatziki NOW! Mix it all together and voila! You have a healthy, low carb tzatziki sauce with just 5 minutes of hands-on work.

    How Long Does Homemade Tzatziki Last

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    Homemade tzatziki sauce will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Because it includes fresh vegetables , they begin to lose a lot of moisture and make the Greek tzatziki sauce runny.

    This easy tzatziki sauce recipe makes 1 1/2 cups, so you can always cut it in half if you wont eat it within a few daysbut I dont think that will be a problem!

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    The Best Tzatziki Dip

    This homemade tzatziki sauce recipe is a traditional Greek recipe that is a popular dish in restaurants found in Greece Or Greek restaurants in the USA as well.

    If you ever visit Greece, you will understand how important tzatziki is to the culture of this beautiful country.

    But until then, you can enjoy a taste of the Greek culture in your own kitchen by making this delicious tzatziki gyro sauce recipe at home.

    What To Eat And Serve With Greek Tzatziki Sauce

    Greek tzatziki sauce can be served as part of a meze platter. I meze platter is a combination of Greek starter dishes like dolmades, meatballs, pita breads and vegetables like plump tomatoes, cucumbers and black olives. Also, slices of Greek cheeses like graviera and feta cheese are a very nice addition to a meze platter.

    Tzatziki is also perfect to accompany grilled meat of any kind, chicken, pork or lamb and of course if you serve with some juicy chicken and pork skewers you will have a match made in heaven!

    If you are a vegetarian try pairing tzatziki sauce with grilled vegetables like carrots, corn, peppers and green beans or even a delicious Greek lentil salad!

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    What To Eat With Tzatziki

    Not gonna lie here, I will eat Tzatziki Sauce right off my fingers, but since that is not a societal accepted thing, here are ways to enjoy this sauce without people looking at you funny.

    • Pita Bread you can use straight up pita bread to enjoy
    • Roasted Veggies I love mixing mine with Roasted veggies Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Tomatoes, Zucchini, all great choices
    • Chicken Make some simple grilled chicken and dial it up
    • Gyros No matter the meat , Tzatziki works as a great alternative to other condiments and is full of flavor
    • Dip in Raw Veggies

    How To Make Tzatziki Sauce:

    How to make Greek Tzatziki Sauce | Akis Petretzikis

    This is the easiest recipe and only takes a few minutes to mix together.

    • Measure out your spices and minced garlic.
    • Get a serving bowl and place the Greek Yogurt and the shredded squeezed cucumber in the bowl.
    • Add the Minced Garlic to the yogurt and cucumber.
    • Sprinkle in the spices in the bowl.
    • Make sure everything is mixed together really good. It is so easy to make this sauce!
    • Store the tzatziki sauce in the fridge until ready to serve.

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    Peeling Garlic Prior To The Oven

    Peel 1 bulb of garlic and separate all the cloves.

    Cut each end of the clove and remove the peel from the cloves.

    If you have trouble peeling the garlic, there is a product on Amazon that is called a Silicone Garlic Peeler that helps a lot and is good to have on hand for fresh garlic usage.

    You can also often purchase whole garlic, already peeled, from many stores.

    Can I Freeze This Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    Yes, you can freeze this gyro sauce recipe. However, dont expect it to have the same consistency as when you first made it. Cucumbers tend to get mushy in the freezer, and the lemon might cause the yogurt to curdle a little.

    If you freeze your tzatziki sauce, make sure to store it packed in an airtight container. Then stir it very well before serving.

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