Best Ever Authentic Tzatziki Recipe (Gyro Sauce)! (2024)

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By Kevin

published May 28, 2021

5 from 1 vote

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This authentic tzatziki recipe makes a thick, creamy cucumber sauce, packed with garlic flavor. Make it for a gyro sauce, to serve with grilled meats or poultry, or for an addictive dip!

Best Ever Authentic Tzatziki Recipe (Gyro Sauce)! (2)

If you can’t imagine enjoying a gyro or Greek souvlaki without a topping of fresh tzatziki sauce, you are not alone. As dips and sauces are concerned, it’s a favorite staple condiment found on dining tables in Greece and around the world.

Creamy and thick, the base of the sauce is strained Greek yogurt, cucumbers and plenty of garlic. Of course, it’s commonly used as a gyro sauce, like my Lebanese garlic sauce (toum) recipe, but there are so many other ways to serve the delicious, addictive dip!

Beyond the Gyro Sauce: Uses for Tzatziki

As a sauce, it’s fantastic with grilled lamb, beef, or chicken. Try it on koobideh kabobs– it’s SO good! I also like to serve it as a dip with Briam (Greek roasted vegetables) and cauliflower fritters.

You can spread some onto pita bread, naan, Barbari bread or lavash and then top it with fresh slices of tomato or cucumber.

Or, serve it with some grilled or pan fried halloumi and veggies and crackers for dipping. It’s the perfect no-cook summer meal!

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What makes this an authentic tzatziki recipe?

I am not the type of person who takes the word “authentic” lightly. If I’m going to make an authentic version of a recipe, I typically do some research to find out exactly what should and shouldn’t be included.

This being said, chefs and home cooks often change and adapt recipes, suiting them to their individual tastes, to make them allergy-friendly, and/or to take advantage of locally sourced ingredients. This is why you’ll sometimes find “Americanized” versions of ethnic recipes.

There are a few “requirements” for it to be a “real deal” Greek recipe, and these items are why this is an authentic tzatziki recipe.

  1. Make tzatziki with mint, not dill.
    Sure, cucumbers and dill are a delicious combination, but you will rarely, if ever, find fresh dill in an authentic version of the cucumber sauce.
  2. The recipe calls for vinegar, not lemon juice.
    It can be plain distilled white vinegar or wine vinegar, but skip the lemon.
  3. Use full fat, plain Greek yogurt, not sour cream.
    An authentic tzatziki recipe will never include sour cream, mostly because sour cream isn’t found in most Greek grocery stores.

If you love cucumbers, make some mast o khiar; it’s a delicious Persian cucumber yogurt salad! Or use fresh summer cucumbers for a chopped veggie salad with creamy lemon vinaigrette.

  1. Heavy on the garlic.
    There should be a strong garlic flavor. Use at least 2 cloves of garlic, and more if you want to! Also, be sure to finely grate or mince the garlic cloves; don’t chop them. You want the flavor but not the texture.
  2. It should have an ultra thick, creamy consistency.
    The goal is to make tzatziki sauce so thick that it needs to be spread on with a knife rather than poured like a dressing. It should also be very creamy, with finely grated cucumbers rather than diced or sliced pieces.

    The way to create the thickest consistency is to use full-fat Greek yogurt, and be sure to strain it in a fine mesh colander for several minutes to remove any excess water.

    Also, use seedless cucumbers, or if you can’t find seedless, remove the seeds from whatever cucumbers you use.
    Cucumber seeds contain a lot of water, so if you leave them in, they’ll thin out your tzatziki.

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FAQ

Why is my tzatziki sauce bitter?

Cucumber plants contain a bitter compound called cucurbitacin, which is more likely to be present if the growing conditions aren’t ideal or if the plant isn’t watered thoroughly. The compound is usually more concentrated in the stem end of the cucumbers.

How do you make cucumbers less bitter?

To lessen the bitterness of cucumbers, trim off both ends of the fruit. Then, rub the exposed fruit with a tiny bit of salt, or rub the exposed flesh of the trimmed end against the exposed flesh of the cucumber.

After a couple of minutes, a white substance will form, which is the bitter compound, cucurbitacin. At that point, simply rinse the fruit under tap water to wash away the compound.

How long will an authentic tzatziki recipe stay fresh?


Tzatziki sauce is best when it’s fresh and very cold. For the best flavor and consistency, use it within 2-3 days after making it. After that, it will start to become watery and lose its flavor.

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Authentic Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

5 from 1 vote

This authentic tzatziki recipe makes creamy cucumber yogurt sauce, packed with garlic flavor. Make a batch to serve with Greek recipes like souvlaki, with grilled meat or poultry, as a gyro sauce, or use it as an addictive dip!

Servings: 6

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Chill Time: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

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Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Trim ends from cucumber and remove peel if desired. Using the large holes on a box grater, finely grate the trimmed cucumber. Place in cheese cloth or paper towels and squeeze excess water out. Set aside.

  • Whisk the yogurt, garlic, vinegar, mint, kosher salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper in medium bowl to blend. Add grated cucumbers and toss to coat. Season the mixture to taste.

  • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serve with chips, khubz (pita bread), use as a gyro sauce, or serve with grilled veggies, meat or poultry.

  • Tzatziki is best served when fresh and cold. Use within 2-3 days for best flavor and consistency.

Video

Notes

  1. No need to peel, grate on the large holes of your box grater. Feel free to use whatever variety of seedless cucumber you prefer. English and Persian cucumbers are good choices.
  2. Recipe yields approximately 2 cups of sauce. One serving = approximately 1/3 cup or 43g.

Nutrition

Serving: 43g | Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Pantry Staples, Sauces

Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean

Author: Kevin

Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!

Best Ever Authentic Tzatziki Recipe (Gyro Sauce)! (7)

Kevin

I was bitten by the cooking bug as a kid cooking and baking along side my mom. After an ROP restaurant course in high school, I went to work in restaurants and catering. My love of travel and food has led me across the world and I love to share those foods with family and friends.

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Best Ever Authentic Tzatziki Recipe (Gyro Sauce)! (2024)

FAQs

What is real tzatziki made of? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

How do Greek people eat tzatziki? ›

Greeks usually eat tzatziki with bread, it is also used for the famous souvlaki wrapped in a pita and ofcourse in gyros. Almost all Greeks love dipping bread and Greek fries in tzatziki that is served at every traditional restaurant.

What is gyros sauce made of? ›

This cucumber sauce is easy to make and full of fresh flavor. You don't need any fancy ingredients to make it, just sour cream, garlic, mustard, and some fresh dill. You can serve it after just one hour in the refrigerator, but overnight is recommended.

Why is my tzatziki so sour? ›

Some Greek yogurt brands are very tangy so you may wish to use less lemon juice. Also, some lemons can be very tart. Start with 1/2 a lemon and add more if needed. If your sauce is too tart, you can fix this by adding a little sweetener.

Is tzatziki made from yogurt or sour cream? ›

Tzatziki sauce is a creamy cucumber sauce that is most often made with simple ingredients including, Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil and lemon juice. We've created the most delicious Easy Tzatziki Sauce made with sour cream instead of full-fat Greek yogurt.

Is tzatziki actually Greek? ›

Tzatziki (Greek: τζατζίκι, tzatzíki, [d͡zaˈd͡zici]), also known as cacık (Turkish pronunciation: [dʒaˈdʒɯk]) or tarator, is a class of dip, soup, or sauce found in the cuisines of Southeastern Europe and West Asia.

Can you eat tzatziki everyday? ›

Eating tzatziki can help add a variety of healthy nutrients to your daily diet, maintain a robust microbial system, and maintain blood glucose levels. If you suffer from high blood pressure, use tzatziki often as it contains less sodium and carbs than hummus.

What country invented tzatziki? ›

More than any other nation in the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks enjoyed this dish immensely. However, they also experimented with this classic cucumber and yogurt dip until its Indian roots were almost invisible. Tzatziki (derived from the Turkish word cacık) was born.

What meat goes best with tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki makes a very nice condiment for gyros or kebabs. It goes very well with pork or lamb. It's also very nice served as a dip with pita bread triangles.

Can you buy tzatziki sauce in the grocery store? ›

You can find store-bought tzatziki in the deli section of most grocery stores all year long, so you don't have to worry about it being “in season.” However, if you want to make fresh tzatziki, it will taste best when you use cucumbers in peak season.

What is the difference between gyro and Greek gyro? ›

In the United States, gyro meat is often ground beef, but in Greece, it's a blend of lamb and beef. Tzatziki sauce is a refreshing and flavorful accompaniment that adds a pop of freshness to the sandwich. Traditional gyro meat is cooked on a vertical spit, then sliced off.

How long does homemade tzatziki last? ›

Tzatziki will last about four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. While you can freeze it, it will change a bit in regards to texture and consistency when it comes time to thawing it out.

What if I add too much lemon juice to tzatziki sauce? ›

Thankfully, there are a few ways to fix a dish if you have added too much lemon juice. One option is to balance out the acidity by adding a sweetener such as sugar or honey. Another option is to dilute the lemon juice by adding more of the other ingredients in the recipe.

How do you reduce the taste of garlic in tzatziki? ›

Add some lemon juice if the recipe allows. Add some cane sugar, maple syrup or honey to the lemon juice if necessary to reduce the acidity. Lemon juice not only reduces the 'heat', or 'bite' and breath-smell of garlic but also softens the taste.

Why is my tzatziki sauce bland? ›

Salt – Without this, your tzatziki will taste very bland! I like sea salt but table would work just as well. Dill – You could also use mint but I prefer dill's pickle like flavour. It works so well in creamy dips and sauces!

Is store bought tzatziki healthy? ›

Key ingredients in Tzatziki include yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh dill or mint. Tzatziki provides essential macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support overall health. This versatile sauce may boost heart health, improve gut health, and potentially lower the risk of diabetes.

How healthy is tzatziki dip? ›

Tzatziki is a real powerhouse in terms of health benefits. Probiotics, which can aid promote gut health, vitamins A and C, calcium, and phosphorus are all included in this classic Greek meal. Together, these nutrients strengthen your immune system and maintain the health of your bones.

Does tzatziki have live cultures? ›

Having tested a bunch of brands in my grocery store, I've found that only about 1/3 contain lots of active cultures. Here are some options to make sure your tzatziki is full of probiotic goodness: For store-bought yogurt, stick with smaller, local brands of yogurt.

Why is tzatziki not vegetarian? ›

Tzatziki (←note to self, good scrabble word!), ehem, traditional tzatziki is made with Greek yogurt, so not vegan. I had a google around and found several vegan tzaziki recipes but they were made with vegan yogurt.

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