If you love cool, creamy sauces that instantly brighten a meal, this easy homemade tzatziki is a must! Made with grated cucumber, thick Greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic and lemon juice, this classic Mediterranean yogurt sauce comes together in minutes and delivers the perfect balance of tangy, herby and refreshing flavors. It’s delicious as a dip for vegetables or pita, spread on sandwiches, or served alongside roasted vegetables, grain bowls or grilled favorites.
This tzatziki recipe was originally published in my book The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.
5-Stars From Our Readers
“What a great recipe! This really is the BEST tzatziki sauce, and I love making it with Greek yogurt. Another winner from Moon and Spoon and Yum!”
— Liza
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A Note From Kristen
I was first introduced to tzatziki sauce in my early 20s during a trip to Amsterdam at a small falafel joint. I’ve craved the refreshing taste of this sauce ever since! I love having a simple sauce like this homemade tzatziki in the fridge because it instantly makes everyday meals feel more exciting. With grated cucumber, creamy Greek yogurt, garlic, dill and lemon, the flavors are tangy, bright and refreshing, yet rich and complex at the same time. Tzatziki truly suits a wide variety of dishes and is nutrient-dense to boot. What’s not to love?
~Kristen
What is Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a light and creamy yogurt-based condiment typically made with Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, fresh dill and lemon juice. This refreshing Mediterranean sauce is often served as a dip, spread or sauce alongside dishes like falafel, grilled vegetables, pita and grain bowls. While most closely associated with Greek cuisine, similar yogurt-based sauces appear across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.
My Favorite Ways to Use Tzatziki
- Serve alongside your favorite Mediterranean dishes.
- Use as a dip for oven fries.
- Add to a charcuterie spread with crisp vegetables, crackers, cheeses and olives.
- Slather onto veggie burgers, pita wraps, my vegan jackfruit gyros, or sandwiches.
- Use as a creamy dressing for a Greek cucumber salad.
- Serve as a refreshing side with meatless moussaka.
- Dip air fried falafel or Lebanese falafel into it.
- Enjoy with pita chips or sliced bell peppers.
- Drizzle over fresh vegetables or roasted vegetables.
How I Make This Easy Tzatziki
Can This Tzatziki 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.
A Few Simple Tips
- Remove excess moisture from the cucumber.
- After grating the cucumber, gently squeeze out the extra liquid using a clean towel or paper towels. This keeps the tzatziki thick and creamy rather than watery.
- Use thick yogurt.
- Greek yogurt works best because it’s naturally rich and creamy. If using regular yogurt, strain it first to remove excess liquid.
- Let the flavors develop.
- If you have time, refrigerate the tzatziki for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the garlic, dill and lemon to meld together beautifully.
- Taste and adjust.
- Every cucumber and yogurt is a little different, so feel free to add a little extra lemon juice, salt or dill to suit your taste.
More Delicious Condiments To Try
Easy Tzatziki Sauce (Greek Yogurt Cucumber Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber
- 11/2 cups plain Greek yogurt or regular full-fat yogurt or thick vegan yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or bottle lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
Method
- 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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated using a third-party calculator and is an estimate only.
Fantastic tzatziki recipe, thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve never tried Tzatziki sauce before but now I’m excited to make it.
I love falafel and this is always my go to recipe for the perfect yogurt dipping sauce to pair with them.
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!
This tzatziki sauce was so flavorful and just like the one at the restaurant! So delicious!
Oh yum! Such a delicious and creamy sauce. I love that you included options to make it vegan and dairy-free.