• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
MOON and spoon and yum
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Videos
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    The Best Tzatziki Sauce

    Published: Dec 19, 2020 · Modified: May 30, 2022 by Kristen Wood - This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skip to Recipe Pin Recipe
    pinterest pin for tzatziki recipe

    This homemade tzatziki sauce recipe is a creamy condiment with its roots in Greece and Turkey. It is best served cold and works well alongside appetizers and entrées alike. Easily made vegan and dairy-free. From my book The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

    A ceramic bowl filled with white creamy sauce topped with fresh dill.

    I was first introduced to tzatziki sauce in my early 20s during a trip to Amsterdam. I’ve craved the refreshing taste of this sauce ever since!

    Tzatziki is simply one of the best recipe creations in existence. The flavors are tangy, bright and refreshing, yet rich and complex at the same time. It suits a wide variety of dishes and is nutrient-dense to boot! What's not to love?

    Jump to:
    • 🥒 What is Tzatziki?
    • 🧂 How-to Use Tzatziki
    • 🔪 How-to Make Tzatziki
    • 💭 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍳 More Condiments You Will Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    A silver spoon sticks out of a ceramic bowl filled with white creamy tzatziki.

    🥒 What is Tzatziki?

    Tzatziki is a light and creamy yogurt-based condiment used as a sauce or a dip. It has both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern roots and different variations can be found in many cultures. It's typically served alongside appetizers or as a side dish itself.

    A hand holds a small bowl of tzatziki sauce topped with fresh green herbs.

    🧂 How-to Use Tzatziki

    • Alongside your favorite Mediterranean dishes.
    • As a dip for fries.
    • Serve with a charcuterie spread alongside crisp veggies, crackers, cheeses and olives.
    • Slathered on your favorite veggie burgers or sandwiches.
    • Use as a salad dressing for a Greek salad.
    • Serve as a side to vegan moussaka.
    • Dip easy homemade falafel in it.
    • As a side for pita chips, pita bread, or sliced bell peppers.
    • Drizzle onto fresh vegetables or roasted vegetables.
    • +MORE!
    A hand holds a small bowl filled with a white creamy sauce.

    🔪 How-to Make Tzatziki

    Step 1: Grate cucumber and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.
    Step 2: Add remaining ingredients.
    Step 3: Add yogurt.
    Step 4: Stir well.
    Step 5: Serve this Greek yogurt sauce right away or keep stored in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
    Step 6: Enjoy (and optionally garnish with fresh herbs)!
    A close shot of a white sauce dotted with green herbs.

    💭 Frequently Asked Questions

    Can this be made vegan or dairy-free?

    Most certainly! I prefer cashew-based yogurts with this recipe, but oat milk-based and coconut-based yogurts work well, too.

    How do I store Tzatziki?

    This tzatziki recipe keeps well for up to one week in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

    My tzatziki usually comes out watered down-tasting. Any tips for preventing this?

    Yes! Excess moisture is usually the result of using grated cucumber that hasn't been drained well enough. To prevent this, ensure your cucumber is well drained by squeezing it until no liquid drains out. This is a must for the best possible results!

    🍳 More Condiments You Will Love

    Turmeric Tahini Sauce

    The Best Fresh Salsa Recipe

    Romesco

    Top view of a ceramic bowl filled with creamy tzatziki topped with fresh dill herb.

    📖 Recipe

    tzatziki

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    This homemade tzatziki sauce recipe is a creamy condiment with its roots in Greece and Turkey. It is best served cold and works well alongside appetizers and entrées alike. Easily made vegan and dairy-free. From my book The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.
    4.66 from 32 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Condiments
    Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Kristen Wood

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium cucumber
    • 11/2 cups plain Greek yogurt or regular full-fat yogurt for vegan or dairy-free use cashew-based yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
    • 2 garlic cloves grated
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Grate the cucumber into a mixing bowl, then squeeze and drain out as much excess liquid as you can using your hands or a cheesecloth.
    • Add the yogurt, dill, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to the cucumber. Mix to combine.
    • Serve right away or keep stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    Notes

    Serve alongside my Jackfruit Gyros!
    Serve alongside Air Fryer Falafel!
    From my book "The Vegetarian Family Cookbook", sold everywhere books are sold.
    Also see: Foods That Start With Y.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 624mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 388IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 421mg | Iron: 1mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
    Mention on Instagram!@moon.and.spoon.and.yum

    More Gluten Free Vegetarian Condiment Recipes

    • Easy Jamaican Jerk Sauce
    • Hibiscus Hot Sauce
    • Southwest Salad Dressing
    • Rosemary Salt
    • Share

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jill says

      June 05, 2022 at 6:59 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic tzatziki recipe, thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Charla says

      June 04, 2022 at 11:12 pm

      5 stars
      I've never tried Tzatziki sauce before but now I'm excited to make it.

      Reply
    3. Mairead says

      June 04, 2022 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      I love falafel and this is always my go to recipe for the perfect yogurt dipping sauce to pair with them.

      Reply
    4. Liza says

      June 04, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe! This really is the BEST tzatziki sauce, and I love making it with Greek yogurt. Another winner from Mon and Spoon and Yum!

      Reply
    5. Jamie says

      June 04, 2022 at 12:08 pm

      5 stars
      This tzatziki sauce was so flavorful and just like the one at the restaurant! So delicious!

      Reply
    6. Tara says

      June 04, 2022 at 11:56 am

      5 stars
      Oh yum! Such a delicious and creamy sauce. I love that you included options to make it vegan and dairy-free.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

    Primary Sidebar

    kristen wood

    About Kristen Wood

    Hi, I'm Kristen! A mama, food writer, photographer, recipe developer, and cookbook author. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Welcome!

    Learn more about me →

    Follow:

    INSTAGRAM 

    PINTEREST 

    YOUTUBE

    FACEBOOK

    FEATURED IN

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Best Sautéed Mushrooms
    • The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia (Vegan)
    • Easy Acai Bowl Recipe
    • How to Make Easy Pickled Cabbage

    Footer

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    FEATURED IN

    • About
    • The Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook

    Schisandra & Bergamot

    • Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners
    • Contact
    • The Vegetarian Family Cookbook

    Privacy Policy | Google Web Stories | Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2023 Kristen Wood | MOON and spoon and yum. All Rights Reserved.

    556 shares
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Reddit