Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe

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Tzatziki with greek yogurt is so easy to make you’ll never buy it again.

I have a terrible secret. Lately I’ve been buying dips from the grocery store when I know they take less than five minutes to make!

I wanted to share this Greek tzatziki recipe because it’s easy to make and even I have five minutes to make it.

Even though I work around food all day I have the same excuses for not eating healthy as everyone else – too busy!

I’ve been busy lately so stopping off to buy veggies and dip seemed to make sense.

But fresh cucumber, garlic and dill are so much better than the store bought soupy glue filled with preservatives.

I’m using Greek yogurt because it’s used in the traditional greek tzatziki recipe but also high in protein.

I could eat dip all day. I love dips and sauces – give me tzatziki or hummus and I’m a happy camper.

Ingredients to make tzatziki

Greek Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a traditional sauce in Greece that’s usually made from sheep or goat yogurt then mixed with cucumber, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and dill.

It’s a versatile sauce and variations are found all over the world:

  • raita in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
  • jajeek in Iraq
  • mast-o-khiar in Iran
  • talatouri in Cyrus
  • tarator in Bulgaria
  • and so many other countries that feature yogurt in traditional dishes.

Today I used a Canadian brand of Greek yogurt, iögo, which is owned by a Canadian dairy cooperative.

I like the product because it doesn’t use gelatin or contain artificial flavours or preservatives.

Grated cucumber in a strainer over a rustic background

Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe

This isn’t 100% traditional.

I made this tzatziki recipe with lemon because we had some on hand but if you want to be traditional substitute red wine vinegar.

I also grated the cucumber which is the traditional method because I like the texture but requires for it to sit with a bit of salt in a strainer for an hour or more to remove the moisture.
 

EASY RECIPE: Sriracha Hummus

 
If you don’t have the time it’s perfectly acceptable to dice it.

Two non-negotiable items: don’t skimp on the salt or good olive oil.

Salt and oil are flavour enhancers and it’s why restaurant food is delicious. Buy the good stuff, use it generously and your food will be amazing.

Tzatziki and naan bread on a rustic background

Tzatziki is great with fish or grilled meat, but also amazing in sandwiches and as a dip. It’s the kind of thing you can make on Sunday and enjoy all week.

Heading to Greece? You don’t want to miss out on 2 foodtrippers guide to Athens souvlaki. Because there’s nothing better than tzatziki and souvlaki.

Greek Tzatziki Recipe

Greek Tzatziki Recipe

Yield: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This homemade tzatziki recipe is so easy you'll never buy it again.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups greek yogurt
  • 1 cup grate cucumber about half an English cucumber
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1.5 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil high quality

Instructions

  1. Place grated cucumber in strainer with .5 teaspoon of salt for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours
  2. Combine remaining ingredients, drizzle with olive oil.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 55Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 419mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BaconisMagic.ca attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Disclosure: This post was a paid partnership with iögo yogurt, who asked us to share how we would use their new large format pouches. Fortunately at the time I was in the midst of a reality check with buying packaged dips so expect a new hummus post soon – why do I keep buying it!
This healthy greek tzatziki recipe using greek yogurt is so easy to make you'll wonder why you ever bought it premade.
This healthy greek tzatziki recipe using greek yogurt is so easy to make you'll wonder why you ever bought it premade.
This healthy greek tzatziki recipe using greek yogurt is so easy to make you'll wonder why you ever bought it premade.
This healthy greek tzatziki recipe using greek yogurt is so easy to make you'll wonder why you ever bought it premade.

Join the Conversation

  1. Allen Titan says:

    Salt and oil are flavour enhancers, but how does it work ?

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