Homemade Tzatziki is a delicious mediterranean dip that is healthy and totally refreshing. The tangy, garlicky flavor is perfect with fresh veggies, warm pita bread, or grilled meat and is so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
Why We Love Homemade Tzatziki Dip
When the weather warms up and the garden is bursting with fresh produce, I turn to simple, delicious and refreshing meals that make the most of the season’s bounty. Tzatziki is loaded with fresh cucumber and dill and makes such a delicious and satisfying summer meal when served with grilled vegetables and warm pita bread. It’s amazing how such a simple combination of flavors can truly make an extraordinary meal!
This classic mediterranean dip is also delicious served with falafel, roasted chicken, grilled meats, loaded into wraps, or served with a platter of fresh veggies. It’s incredibly easy to make, too- with ingredients I regularly keep on hand. Did I mention it’s healthy and offers a decent amount of protein too? If you’re not already making this incredible dip on repeat, here is my suggestion that it is high time you start!
Ingredients You Need to Make Homemade Tzatziki:
- English Cucumbers– We always use english cucumbers because they aren’t as seedy as regular cucumbers and don’t need to be peeled before shredding.
- Plain Greek Yogurt– We use whole milk Greek yogurt.
- Fresh Garlic– We start with one clove, but you can add more to taste if you like a stronger garlic flavor.
- Fresh Dill– We love fresh dill, but you can substitute dried if necessary. If using dried dill, you only need 1 teaspoon.
- Lemon Juice– Lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the dip.
- Sea Salt– Helps pull excess moisture from the cucumber.
How to Make Homemade Tzatziki:
- Shred the cucumber. If using an english cucumber, simply rinse and grate. If you are using regular cucumbers, you will need to peel and remove the seeds before grating.
- Remove excess moisture from the cucumber. Pour the grated cucumber in a bowl and sprinkle with sea salt. Allow to sit while you combine the other ingredients. Remove the cucumber to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients. In a medium bowl, add the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the prepared cucumber and stir again.
- Chill. Chill the dip until ready to serve. Drizzle with olive oil if desired and enjoy!
Tips & Suggestions
How long does homemade tzatziki last?
Leftover tzatziki dip will last up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
What should I serve with tzatziki?
We serve this mild, refreshing dip in so many ways! Here are a few of our favorite ways to eat it:
- With warm pita bread
- With fresh veggies like cucumber, bell peppers, or carrots.
- Over grilled meats
- With wheat crackers or bread cubes
- Over roasted potatoes
- In a wrap
- With this Roasted Chicken Shawarma
- On gyros
- With falafel
Variations
For a creamier dip, you can stir in a bit of heavy cream or olive oil. For a thicker dip, drain the yogurt using a strainer lined with cheese cloth. You can also try adding a variety of fresh herbs like basil, mint, or parsley.
More Delicious Dip Recipes:
Homemade Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 1 medium English cucumber peeled and grated
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Rinse cucumber and shred with a box grater. If you are using an English cucumber, there is no need to peel it. Place in a bowl with sea salt and let it sit while you mix the other ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, dill and garlic. Squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible from cucumber and salt mixture with a clean towel. Stir cucumber into yogurt.
- Season with pepper and additional salt if needed. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serve with grilled veggies, pita triangles, fresh raw veggies, or as a sauce on your favorite gyro!