This easy tzatziki sauce recipe is cool, creamy and refreshing. This luscious Greek condiment is also known as gyro sauce. Make this healthy low-carb dip and spread in 15 minutes! 👉🏻For tasty vegan tzatziki, see ingredient list.
ABOUT TZATZIKI: In vibrant cities known for ethnic cuisine, luscious gyro sauce is a familiar condiment. A take-out staple packed with flavor, it comes standard with most Greek menu items. It can also be ordered on the side.
INGREDIENT LIST
Assemble this easy recipe with a few garden and pantry staples. It’s the perfect appetizer dip and spread for parties! Double or triple the recipe.
👉🏻FOR VEGAN TZATZIKI: Substitute cashew sour cream for Greek yogurt!
- English cucumber
- Sea salt
- Plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- Garlic cloves
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Lemon (for fresh lemon juice)
- Red wine vinegar
- Fresh mint
- Fresh dill
- Black pepper, freshly-ground
- OPTIONAL: Dried oregano
ingredient substitutions
Many of us are purists. We need to experience this traditional recipe as is, with all its authentic flavors and textures. But life happens. Sometimes we’re missing an essential ingredient and there’s no time to head to the store.
Check your fridge and pantry for these easy ingredient swaps!
- ENGLISH CUCUMBER: Use a slicing cucumber.
- WHOLE-MILK GREEK YOGURT: Substitute with plain low-fat Greek yogurt (add extra olive oil for richness), sour cream, or full-fat mayonnaise.
- LEMON JUICE: Replace it with 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar. A secondary choice is fresh lime juice.
- RED WINE VINEGAR: Use white wine vinegar.
- GARLIC CLOVES: Use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
- FRESH MINT: Substitute with 1 teaspoon freeze-dried mint.
- FRESH DILL: Replace with 1 teaspoon dried dill weed. But if you have it on hand, the preferred swap is freeze-dried dill.
BEST TZATZIKI RECIPE
RECIPE PREP
- SQUEEZE lemons with a citrus press.
- MINCE garlic OR use a garlic press.
- FINELY CHOP mint and dill leaves (no stems).
- PEEL the cucumber and slice it in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon and discard them.
RECIPE STEPS
Get ready to make the best tzatziki sauce!
- STEP 1: GRATE THE CUCUMBER on the largest holes of a box grater. Then use a knife to mince it. In a bowl, toss cucumber with sea salt. Let it sit 10 minutes. The salt will help draw out the moisture.
- STEP 2: EXPEL CUCUMBER JUICE. Over a bowl or the kitchen sink, use a cheesecloth, your bare hand, or a fine-mesh sieve and spoon to squeeze out and expel as much of the cucumber juice as possible. Discard the liquid. (Water can cause dip ingredients to separate.)
- STEP 3: ADD INGREDIENTS TO A BOWL. Transfer drained cucumber to a medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients: yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dill, mint, dried oregano, and black pepper.
- STEP 4: MIX EVERYTHING TOGETHER. Stir to combine. Taste the sauce. If needed, adjust herbs and spices. Cover and chill 1 hour. Before serving, garnish the surface with a drizzle of olive oil and a light scattering of dill.
KITCHEN TIP: No box grater? No problem! Use a sharp knife to finely dice or julienne the cucumber. A mandoline or a food processor with a shredding disk can also be used for grating.
HOW TO USE TZATZIKI SAUCE
Tzatziki is a luscious Greek condiment that’s very versatile.
- SLATHER it on hamburgers and veggie burgers.
- SPREAD this gyro sauce on subs, wraps and sandwiches.
- SMEAR it over a wedge of warm pita bread.
- USE AS A DIP for fried calamari, battered/fried veggies, kettle chips, pita chips, flatbread crackers, falafel, and French fries.
- SERVE WITH CRUDITÉS: cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, celery, beets, mushrooms, bell pepper, cauliflower, and Kalamata olives.
- ENJOY LAVISH SERVINGS of this delicious gyro sauce with chicken shawarma, grilled meat or fish, and grilled chicken and veggie skewers.
- DRIZZLE IT over baked potatoes and corn on the cob as a healthy replacement for butter and sour cream.
GYRO SAUCE STORAGE TIP
Keep gyro sauce super fresh by storing it in a silicone (BPA-free) Zip Top cup.
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recipe faq
It’s a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a smoother sauce with less chunkiness, remove the peel. If you like the added texture (and bitterness) of the fibrous peel, leave it on.
They’re fibrous, stringy and contain pockets of water. They can give tzatziki an unpleasant texture and make it runny. Removing seeds will keep the mixture smooth and thick. The easiest way to remove them: cut cucumber in half lengthwise, then scrape them out with a spoon!
Greek yogurt is a must. Both the whole and non-fat versions are much thicker than regular yogurt. It’s strained and has a higher protein content. If regular yogurt is used, the tzatziki will be thin and runny.
Add more herbs like oregano and chives. For a touch of smokiness, add smoked paprika. For increased ethnic flavor, add a dash of Sumac or Za’atar. Mix it up with sun dried tomatoes, pesto, or pine nuts. Try a sprinkle of Everything Bagel Seasoning or some crumbled Feta cheese.
Stored in an air-tight container and refrigerated, tzatziki stays fresh 2 to 3 days. After that, it becomes watery and loses texture. Gyro sauce tastes best on the second day when flavors have had time to meld
Yes. This is a flavorful low-carb recipe ideal for a Keto diet. Pair it with your favorite protein: chicken, beef or lamb.
Replace Greek yogurt with cashew sour cream, coconut yogurt, or plain soy yogurt. If thinning is needed, use lemon juice.
Listen to the American pronunciation of tzatziki (tuh zee kee).
MORE DIPS AND SPREADS!
If you loved this authentic tzatziki sauce recipe, you’ll also enjoy these flavorful dips and spreads. They’re ideal for weekday snacking, game-day gatherings, and festive parties year round.
- ROASTED GARLIC HUMMUS
- JALAPENO PIMENTO CHEESE
- LOADED CREAM CHEESE DIP
- SMOKED GOUDA CHEESE BALL
- MEXICAN GUACAMOLE
- BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friends rave about this tzatziki sauce recipe! They say this luscious gyro sauce rivals the taste and texture of that served at authentic Greek restaurants. They also love the vegan tzatziki option.
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TZATZIKI SAUCE
- Total Time: 15 Minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Description
Luscious Greek gyro sauce is cool, creamy, and healthy. It’s the ideal dip and spread for parties. Make this easy tzatziki in 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3/4 English cucumber (long/large)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh dill leaves
- 1 tablespoon finely-chopped fresh mint leaves
- OPTIONAL: 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
VEGAN TZATZIKI: Substitute cashew sour cream for Greek yogurt.
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber. Slice it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Grate the cucumber on the largest holes of a box grater. Then use a knife to mince it. In a small bowl, toss the cucumber with sea salt. Let it sit 10 minutes. The salt will help draw out the moisture.
- Over the kitchen sink, use your bare hand or a cheesecloth to squeeze out and expel as much of the cucumber juice as possible. Squeeze hard. We don’t want any of the water. Discard the liquid.
- Transfer the drained cucumber to a medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients: yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dill, mint, dried oregano, and black pepper.
- Stir to combine. Taste the sauce. If needed, adjust herbs and spices. Cover and chill 1 hour. Before serving, garnish the surface with a drizzle of olive oil and a light scattering of dill.
Notes
CUCUMBER PEEL: ON OR OFF? It’s a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a smoother sauce with less chunkiness, remove the peel. If you like the added texture (and bitterness) of the fibrous peel, leave it on.
WHY SCRAPE OUT THE CUCUMBER SEEDS? They’re fibrous, stringy and contain pockets of water. They can give tzatziki an unpleasant texture and make it runny. Removing seeds will keep the mixture smooth and thick. The best way to remove them: cut cucumber in half lengthwise, then scrape them out with a spoon. It’s super quick and easy!
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN TZATZIKI: Replace Greek yogurt with cashew sour cream, coconut yogurt, or plain soy yogurt. If thinning is needed, use lemon juice.
HOW LONG DOES GYRO SAUCE LAST IN THE FRIDGE? Stored in an air-tight container and refrigerated, tzatziki stays fresh 2 to 3 days. After that, it becomes watery and loses texture. This sauce actually tastes best on the second day once the flavors have had time to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Category: Appetizers, Condiments
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keywords: Tzatziki Sauce, Gyro Sauce, Vegan Tzatziki
tzatziki sauce > join the conversation
Are you craving the tasty flavors of Greek cuisine? Would you like to try this homemade gyro sauce? Join the conversation below. If you know someone who would enjoy the vegan tzatziki option, be sure to share this recipe!
This tzatziki is so delicious! I’ll be making this recipe again and again. This is now one of my favorite dips :)
★★★★★
One of my favorite sauces during summer. It’s so refreshing and light. I just tried your specific recipe and it was amazing!!!
★★★★★
I just love tzatziki sauce, but I had never tried making my own before! I didn’t realize how easy it was. This recipe yielded the exact taste and texture of the gyro sauce served at my favorite Greek restaurant. :)
★★★★★
I love how easy and delicious this is. So great in this hot weather, too. Perfect for the 4th of July!
★★★★★
Was looking for a creamy dip for our family BBQ this afternoon and this one looks easy and tasty. Going to make it vegan thanks so much for the substitution suggestions :)
★★★★★