Greek Tzatziki Sauce | Quick EASY recipe! | Confetti & Bliss (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure.

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.

📌 PIN TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE!

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 instead.
• 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.

🧑🏼‍🍳 RECIPE PREP

1. SQUEEZE lemons with a citrus press.
2. MINCE garlic OR use a garlic press.
3. FINELY CHOP mint and dill leaves (no stems).
4. 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.

👩🏻‍🍳 WAYS 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.
• IT’S A CREAMY SALAD DRESSING: For topping a lettuce salad.
• 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.

This post is NOT sponsored. I’m just delighted with this new eco-friendly option. Buy a set right now through my Amazon affiliate link > ZIP TOP

🥘 recipe faq

🥣 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
• Chick-Fil-A Sauce
• Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
• Loaded Cream Cheese Dip
• 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.

If you enjoyed this delicious recipe, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

Print

TZATZIKI SAUCE

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 12 reviews

• Author: Denay DeGuzman
• Total Time: 15 Minutes
• Yield: 8 Servings 1x

Print Recipe

Save Recipe

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

UnitsScale

• 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.

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Equipment

Zip Top

Buy Now →

Citrus Press

Buy Now →

Cheesecloth

Buy Now →

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

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!