Easy Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Posted Apr 22, 2020, Updated Jul 15, 2023
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The best Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Recipe! This easy tzatziki sauce is made with Greek yogurt, sour cream and fresh dill! It’s thick and creamy (not watery) and so delicious! It perfectly compliments Mediterranean dishes, and makes a great party dip!
This Easy Tzatziki Sauce recipe is one of my all-time favorites! I have a serious love for Mediterranean food (like this baked falafel, Greek chicken, the best Greek salad, Greek meatballs and this hummus chicken – YUM)! Since we don’t go out to eat very often, I have worked hard over the years to create homemade versions of my favorite restaurant fare.
Tzatziki Sauce is one of my favorite “condiments” and our recipe is better than any tzatziki I’ve ever had in a restaurant. It is made with Greek yogurt, sour cream and fresh dill!
It’s thick and creamy (not watery) and so delicious! It perfectly compliments Mediterranean dishes, and makes a great party dip! Plus it’s so easy to make that my 10 year old daughter makes it every week for our entire family.
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Recipe: IngredientsSubstitutions
This is a recipe that I have made so many times and it is absolute perfection as-is. However here are a few possible substitutions:
- Greek yogurt/sour cream. I have made this recipe with all these ingredients from fat free to full fat, and it always turns out amazing. Obviously, the higher the fat content the richer and creamier the taste will be!
- White Balsamic Vinegar. Any other light colored vinegar works well in this recipe, but white balsamic is my favorite!
- Garlic powder. Fresh minced garlic can be used in place of garlic powder. If you love loads of garlic feel free to add more until your heart’s content.
- Dill. My favorite is using fresh dill straight from the garden, but dried dill works great as well!
How to make Homemade Tzatziki sauce
This Tzatziki sauce recipe takes a little bit of planning. However, it is easy and so so worth it! The first thing you need to do is drain the water from the cucumbers and yogurt. I always start the water removal process first thing in the morning, because less water = creamier, thicker, more delicious tzatziki.
NOTE: You can simply squeeze the water from the cucumber and not drain the sour cream and Greek yogurt if you’re short on time. We do this often – just know that some water will leak out as it’s stored, but you can drain it off or mix it in.
Strain the water from the Greek yogurt & Sour Cream
Both Greek yogurt and sour cream have a natural liquid content that could lead to watery tzatziki. That’s why it’s important to strain the water from the Greek yogurt & sour cream.
To do this, put a coffee filter inside of a strainer, put the strainer over a bowl (make sure it’s not touching the bottom of the bowl and that you have space for the water to collect), then put the yogurt/sour cream mixture on top. Put it in the refrigerator to drain all day long.
Remove the water from the cucumber
The biggest contributor to watery tzatziki is the cucumber, which is why it’s important to try to leach as much water out of the cucumber as possible.
To release the water from the cucumber, de-seed the cucumber then grate it. Put the grated cucumber it in a colander over a bowl. Then sprinkle it with sea salt (to draw out the water).
Leave the cucumber on the counter at room temperature to drain. While it’s draining, press on it from time to time to help push out the water.
Squeeze remaining water out of the cucumber
After most of the water has been pressed out of the shredded cucumber, transfer it to a tea towel and squeeze the remaining water out.
Combine the ingredients
Once the water has been drained from the ingredients, it’s time to mix everything together. Spices, lemon juice, etc. Dill is the star of the show in this easy tzatziki sauce recipe.
I always keep dried dill on hand for the sole purpose of making this tzatziki recipe. However, if you’re a planner and remember to grab some fresh dill from the store (or from your garden) it’s even more amazing!
Chill
Chill for at least 1 hour to let the flavors blend, and then dig in!
Store
Store this tzatziki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FAQS about Tzatziki Sauce
Here are some commonly asked questions about how to make tzatziki!
No, I don’t recommend freezing this homemade tzatziki. Freezing then thawing will change the texture in an unfavorable way.
Here are some of my serving suggestions:
Eat alongside this baked falafel recipe with this tabbouleh recipe.
Serve as a sauce for grilled Greek chicken and this hummus chicken.
Use it as a dip for vegetables and pita bread or naan bread for a party.
Enjoy leftovers as a replacement for salad dressing or use it as a topping on the best Greek Salad recipe.
Serve it with these Greek meatballs.
Yes, since this sauce is made with Greek yogurt and sour cream, it needs to be refrigerated to remain fresh.
I consider this a healthy condiment, as it’s made with mostly Greek yogurt which is high in protein and cucumbers.
No, leave the skin on just be sure to wash it thoroughly before grating.
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Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cucumber unpeeled and seeded
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ½ TBS white balsamic vinegar
- 1 TBS lemon juice
- ½ TBS olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dill (minced fresh, or dried)
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
To strain the yogurt/sour cream:
- Place a fine mesh strainer on top of a smaller bowl (to catch the water as it drains). Be sure that the strainer does not touch the bottom of the bowl and that there is at least 1-2 inches between them.
- Put a coffee filter on top of the strainer.
- Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt and ¼ cup sour cream together. Carefully scoop it onto the coffee filter/strainer and place it in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 hours.
To strain the cucumber:
- De-seed and grate your cucumber. Put it in a colander over a bowl and sprinkle with salt.
- Let it sit on the counter for at least 2 hours, occasionally pushing out the excess water.
Putting it together:
- When you’re ready to make the sauce: squeeze out all excess water from cucumber by pushing it out while in the colander. Then get some thick paper towels, put cucumber in them and ring it out.
- Put yogurt mixture in a clean, dry mixing bowl. Add all ingredients except cucumber. Once thoroughly mixed add cucumber and refrigerate for at least one hour to let flavors blend.
- Serve with your favorite Mediterranean food like falafel or gyros!
Video
Notes
Ingredient substitutions
- Greek yogurt/sour cream. I have made this recipe with all these ingredients from fat free to full fat, and it always turns out amazing. Obviously, the higher the fat content the richer and creamier the taste will be.
- White Balsamic Vinegar. You can use any light colored vinegar such as apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, etc.
- Garlic powder. Fresh minced garlic can be used in place of garlic powder.
- Fresh Dill. If necessary you can substitute freeze-dried dill.
To store:
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photos in this recipe were taken by the talented Jamie from Dishing Out Health
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Followed the exact recipe and it was a hit! My husband and our friends loved it. Thank you so much!
Hi, could I replace dill to mint leave? Thanks.
I really love this sauce, it is my first time making it and it is so good. Thank you for the recipe!
Absolutely delicious, easy to make and a hit with the family.
Have made other recipes this is one of the better ones.
,
Thank you Brenda! This is one of my all-time favorite recipes! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Laura,
I look forward to making this to top out Traeger lamb! I just moved to SLC and would LOVE to know where to get great Greek food. You mentioned you have a favorite restaurant!
Thanks Dana
Hey Dana! Welcome to Utah! My favorite mediterranean restaurants are Mazza (more Lebanese than Greek) and Spitz (best gyro I’ve found in the state)!
Hello, have you tried making this without sour cream? Can I go all Greek yogurt instead? Thank you!
I haven’t tried it without sour cream! But I’m sure it’d still be great!
Is this a weight watchers friendly food? Please say yes
Hey April! I am not familiar with Weight Watchers and what is and isn’t allowed on their plan. But you can refer to the nutritional breakdown and see if it complies with your dietary needs!
Something so easy even a vision impaired person can make. Delicious thank you. Sorry no pics couldn’t get anyone to take some
Have you tried your recipe using vegan sour cream? I’m not sure if there is a vegan yogurt or not but would love to find one. I am a newbie to the vegan world and trying to find my favorite recipes that have been converted is a challenge!
Hey Carla! There is definitely vegan Greek yogurt in the stores. I have seen recipes for homemade vegan sour cream, but I haven’t ever seen it in the store!
Looks great! I plan to try your baked falafel and a paleo naan recipe I found online. How long will the tzatziki keep in the refrigerator?
I think the tzatziki is the best on the day it is made. However I’d say it lasts up to 3 days really well, 5 and it’s still edible lol! If you don’t initially drain the excess water out of the yogurt and cucumber you will likely have to pour some water off if you let it sit in the fridge too long!