Main Dishes
Easy Authentic Tzatziki Recipe

Prep
10 minutes
Yield
1 Large Jar or Container, 8 servings
This easy tzatziki recipe is great to have in your back pocket. Whether you are making tzatziki to eat on your vegan gyros, with pita, on chicken souvlaki if you’re not plant-based, or even on sandwiches, this recipe is my go-to for whipping up this delicious dip.
Why you’ll love this Tzatziki recipe:
- Versatile: Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or none of the above, you can make this recipe to fit your dietary needs
- Quick: This tzatziki recipe can be made in 10-minutes or less, super quick & super delicious!
- Use it on Anything: You can use this tzatziki on anything. Use it as a dip, spread it on a sandwich, with protein like my vegan gyros, whatever your heart desires
Ingredients:
Here is what you will need to make this Tzatziki recipe:
- Dill
- Yogurt or cream cheese
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Cucumber
- Olive Oil
Ingredient Notes:
Olive Oil: Make sure you choose a good quality olive oil. Look for “extra virgin” on the label and avoid anything in a clear bottle since olive oil doesn’t like light!
Yogurt: You can use yogurt, vegan yogurt, or cream cheese here. Whatever you prefer. The consistency will slightly change based on what you choose but any option is delicious.
Dill: I love fresh dill in this recipe as fresh herbs just add a better flavor in my opinion, but this recipe will still be delicious with dry dill if you don’t have fresh on hand. Use one teaspoon of dried dill for every one tablespoon of fresh.
How to make tzatziki?
This is probably the easiest thing you’ll make all week. It seriously takes a few small, and easy steps. You’ll wonder why you haven’t been making homemade tzatziki recipe this whole time. Here’s how you do it:
Step One: Prepare your ingredients by chopping up your herbs, mincing your garlic, and grate your cucumber. For the cucumber, make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
Step Two: Mix all the ingredients up and voila! That’s seriously it.
Expert Tips & FAQ:
What is tzatziki? Also known as tarator or cacik, tzatziki is a dip found in cuisines of Southeast Europe and the Middle East. It’s made with salted, strained yogurt or diluted yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, and olive oil. You sometimes use vinegar or lemon juice, and herbs too. Everyone has their own way they like to make it!
What should I use this tzatziki on? Here are some great ways you can use this tzatziki:
- Use this as a topper with plant-based jackfruit gyros
- If you aren’t plant-based this can be great on chicken souvlaki as well
- Make a spinach pie and use it as a dipper
- Create a delicious Greek-inspired charcuterie board
- Make this salad and use the tzatziki as a side with warm pita
How long does tzatziki last? It’ll last up to one week in the fridge in a properly sealed container or mason jar.
How do I squeeze cucumbers? There are a few ways you can do this. Some people like to sprinkle salt on them and leave them in a strainer to allow for the water to drain. However, when you don’t have time for that, once you grate the cucumbers, squeeze out the moisture with your hands. Voila!
Let me know your fav way to eat tzatziki in the comments!
Other Greek recipes to make:
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Easy Authentic Tzatziki Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups greek yogurt or vegan cream cheese or yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh dill roughly chopped
- 3 cloves of grated garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cucumber grated and squeezed to remove any excess liquid
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Combine every ingredient in a large container and mix to combine.
- Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy with literally anything!
The best recipe I have used, the more garlic the better! Yumm
Thank you so much, Clara!
I did two batches for my household: one batch for the kids had only 1/2 a clove of garlic… the batch for me and the hubby had extra extra garlic! everyone wins
terrific
good
I put this in chicken souvlaki wraps – it was fantastic!
your vinegar substitution came in handy when I was fresh out of lemons. I used 3tbsp of red wine vinegar and it was perfect
only two steps to make the most delicious yummy sauce
I did a nice blend of cream cheese and 5% greek yogurt and it was dreamy. I highly recommend everyone to try this