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Home RecipesBasics & CondimentsSauces and dips Tzatziki
Sauces and dips

Tzatziki

by Alex Bayev May 27, 2022
Published: May 27, 2022Last Updated on June 15, 2022 992 views
992

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek appetizer sauce based on yogurt with grated cucumber and garlic. It has a very fresh taste reminiscent of summer, picnics, fresh vegetables and barbecues.

An interesting feature of tzatziki is that it is both a sauce and a separate dish. As a sauce, dzadiki can be served with grilled fish, meat, and used as a salad dressing. In Greece, it is served with gyros, the Greek equivalent of kebab, and souvlkaki, chicken (and more) kebabs on wooden skewers.

But more often, tzatziki is served as part of a meze, a set of appetizers, before the main course. With pita, bread and/or vegetables.

In addition to the main ingredients, I added lemon juice and dill to the sauce to further emphasize its freshness.

Ingredients

Ingredients for making tzadziki: Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon, garlic, olive oil, dill
  • 300 g of Greek yogurt, 8-12% fat
  • 150 g cucumbers (~ half a long cucumber)
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 15 ml lemon juice (~ juice of half a lemon)
  • zest of half lemon
  • dill sprig
  • 1-2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Equipment:

— grater

Step-by-step directions

I prepare the tzatziki immediately in the dish in which I am going to serve it. It’s faster and less messy.

Grate the zest of half a lemon on a fine grater and add to the yogurt.

Grate the zest of half a lemon on a fine grater and add to the yogurt.
Grate the zest of half a lemon on a fine grater and add to the yogurt.
Grate the zest of half a lemon on a fine grater and add to the yogurt.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the yogurt. I put my palm up and squeeze the lemon onto it. The juice runs through my fingers, and the pips stay in my hand. We throw them away.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon

In a separate bowl, grate 150 grams of cucumber on a coarse grater.

 Grate 150 grams of cucumber on a coarse grater.
 Grate 150 grams of cucumber on a coarse grater.
 Grate 150 grams of cucumber on a coarse grater.

Squeeze the cucumber from the excess juice and add to the yogurt.

Squeeze the cucumber from the excess juice and add to the yogurt.
Squeeze the cucumber from the excess juice and add to the yogurt.
Squeeze the cucumber from the excess juice and add to the yogurt.

Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic. Add to the yogurt.

Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic. Add to the yogurt.
Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic. Add to the yogurt.
Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic. Add to the yogurt.
Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic. Add to the yogurt.

Tear off the dill stems and finely chop them with a knife. Use the stems in other dishes or discard them. Add the chopped dill to the dish.

Tear off the dill stems and finely chop them with a knife
Tear off the dill stems and finely chop them with a knife
Tear off the dill stems and finely chop them with a knife
Tear off the dill stems and finely chop them with a knife

Stir and add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil. If the yogurt is low-fat and quite liquid – add less oil, if thick – more. Salt with a pinch of salt, stir and taste. Add more salt if necessary.

Stir and pour in olive oil
Stir and pour in olive oil
Stir and pour in olive oil
Salt

Traditionally, zajiki uses a small amount of salt and tastes unsalted. Make it according to your taste. If it tastes good without salt or with a little salt, leave it as it is. If it tastes good without or with a little salt, leave it as it is.

Serve with vegetables and pita bread cut into triangles. For example, prepared according to this recipe. You can also serve zajaki with meat or fish, dress a salad, or eat the whole plate with a spoon.

Tzatziki is a yogurt-based appetizer sauce from Greece with cucumber and garlic | Step by step recipe with photos from BayevsKitchen
Tzatziki — Greek yogurt based fresh dip with garlic and cucumber | Quick and Easy recipe

Tzatziki — Greek yogurt based fresh dip

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Tzatziki is a traditional Greek appetizer sauce based on yogurt with grated cucumber and garlic. It has a very fresh taste reminiscent of summer, picnics, fresh vegetables and barbecues. 
Дзадзики — соус-закуска из Греции на основе йогурта с добавлением огурца и чеснока | Пошаговый рецепт c фото от BayevsKitchen
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Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time13 minutes
Servings4 people
Calories85kcal

Equipment

  • Grater

Ingredients 

  • 300 g greek yogurt (8-12% fat)
  • 150 g cucumber (~ half a large cucumber)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 15 ml lemon juice (~ half a medium lemon)
  • 1/2 lemon zest
  • 1 stalk dill
  • salt
  • 15-30 ml olive oil (extra virgin, 1-2 ст.л.)

Instructions

  • Grate the zest of half a lemon on a fine grater and add to the yogurt. 
  • Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the yogurt. 
  • Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic and dill greens (just the greens). Add to the yogurt. 
  • In a separate bowl, grate 150 grams of cucumber on a coarse grater.
    Squeeze the cucumber from the excess juice and add to the yogurt.
  • Stir and pour in 1-2 tbsp olive oil. Salt to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 85 kcal | Carbohydrates: 5 g | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 4 mg | Sodium: 28 mg | Potassium: 173 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 50 IU | Vitamin C: 5 mg | Calcium: 94 mg | Iron: 1 mg
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GreekMezeQuick (up to 30 minutes)

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Alex Bayev

Hi, I'm Alex Bayev, bayevskitchen.com founder and food blogger who is passionate about cooking and photography. Since starting my blog in 2015, I have been sharing simple yet elegant recipes made with high-quality ingredients that anyone can recreate at home. I believe that food has the power to create unforgettable experiences.

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Alex.

I love to cook and bake, and I'm always looking for new recipes to try. I started this blog — to collect and share most delicious and easy recipes in one place.

I remember, how many questions recipes raised to me, when I started cooking. To make sure that doesn't happen to you, I take step-by-step photos of the cooking process for every recipe so you can see how all the steps are supposed to go together, even if you're not following my recipes exactly.

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Bayev's Kitchen — Comfort Food step-by-step Recipes
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Basics & Condiments
      • Creams and Curds
      • Sauces and dips
      • Spices
      • Broths & Stocks
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Bread
    • Drinks
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Sweet
  • Recipe index
  • Recipes Selections
    • What to Make with Red Cabbage?
    • What to Make with Kefir and Buttermilk? 38 Universal Recipes for Every Day
    • What to Make with Cottage Cheese? 27 Ready Ideas for an Unforgettable Meal
    • What to Make with Chicken Fillet? 30 Restaurant Dishes that Beginner Cooks Can Handle
    • What to Make with Minced Meat?
    • What to Make with Zucchini? 30+ Summer Recipes that Will Decorate Your Table
    • What to Make with Red Cabbage?
    • The Best Appetizers for the Holiday Dinner Table. Top 47 Recipes
    • Bananas. Cooking 35 Simple and Appetizing Dishes
    • Cocoa Powder Recipes. 36 Popular Desserts and Drinks from cocoa
    • What to Make with Chicken Liver? 33 Inspirational Ideas for Every Day
    • 36 Tomatoes Dishes. What to Make, with What to Serve
    • Cooking Patissons. 30 Best Recipes for Weekdays and Holidays
    • What to Make with the Yolks? Cooking Second Courses, Soups and Desserts
    • 44 Turnip Dishes. What to Make, with what to Serve
    • What to Make with Spinach? 43 Recipes from Every Corner of the Globe
  • Ingredients
    • Carrot Guide
    • Cauliflower Guide
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    • Sweet Potato Guide
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