This Authentic Tzatziki Sauce (Greek Cucumber Yogurt Sauce) is SO easy to make! Use as a dip, as a spread on sandwiches or gyros, or mix into chicken or tuna salad.
2tablespoonsfresh lemon juicefrom about 1 small lemon
Instructions
Place the grated cucumber in a mesh sieve over a bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and gently toss together. Place a clean towel on top of the cucumbers, with a heavy can (or something similar) on top to weigh it down. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes- the liquid from the cucumber will collect in the bowl below.
Meanwhile, mix the Greek yogurt (2 cups), kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon), olive oil (2 tablespoons), minced garlic, chopped fresh dill (2 tablespoons), and lemon juice (2 tablespoons) together in a medium bowl.
Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and wring it out. Get it as dry as you can!
Mix the grated cucumber into the yogurt mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve drizzled with more extra-virgin olive oil and garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy with pita bread, pita chips, and/or crudités, or as a spread on sandwiches or tacos.
Notes
Money Saving Tip: Greek yogurt is often marked up much more than regular yogurt. You can make it yourself- just scoop the yogurt into a mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Leave in your refrigerator for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. Much of the liquid from the yogurt will have strained out, leaving you with authentic, strained Greek yogurt.
Mint (fresh or dried), chives, or other herbs can be used in addition to or in place of the dill if you prefer.
This tzatziki sauce can me made up to 24 hours in advance and kept in an airtight container in your refrigerator until you're ready to serve. You may have to stir it together after it sits for a while if it gets a little liquidy.
The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.