Homemade Authentic Tzatziki Sauce Recipe - Easy Greek Dip! (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients in tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki is a salted yogurt and cucumber dip that's made of strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs. Authentic Greek tzatziki is most often made with sheep or goat yogurt, but my tzatziki recipe calls for regular full-fat Greek yogurt.

If you're going for purely less calories, then tzatziki would be the best pick. But otherwise, they are just about equally healthy for you, and, even healthier when you make them for yourself rather than going for the store-bought brand.

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.

The Greek dip, Taramosalata consists primarily of mashed potatoes or bread, combined with lemon juice, olive oil, and fish roe. The dip can be best consumed when part of a meze dish or as an appetiser. It has a smooth and creamy texture which makes it the perfect accompany to pitta and breads.

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.

Nutritional Profile of Tzatziki

So, it offers fewer carbohydrates and calories, making it suitable for weight loss. Tzatziki has little fat from yoghurt, milk, or vegetable oil but does not contain many calories. In addition, it is an excellent source of vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium.

When I make yogurt based sauces, cold (tzatziki) or hot (curries etcetera), I strain the yogurt to remove some of the liquid (whey), which thickens it. Greek yogurt is strained yogurt. It isn't necessary to use additives for thickening. I now use cheese cloth to do the straining.

Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk. If you add tzatziki to your meals, you can boost everyday dishes while savouring the many potential health benefits tzatziki brings.

Easy Tzatziki sauce includes Greek yogurt and buttermilk, both excellent sources of bifidobacterium bifidum, an important component of a healthy gut.

Pro Tip: Getting rid of excess cucumber juice is important so that your tzatziki sauce isn't watery the next day. You'll be amazed how much liquid you can strain off. Cheesecloth is the most effective way, but you can also squeeze by the fistful over a strainer.

Is tzatziki good for blood pressure? ›

You can dip meatballs in tzatziki sauce or put it on top of grilled meats for a healthy, low-carb, and protein-packed meal. The tzatziki sauce is also high in calcium. It also has no cholesterol, so you won't have to worry about hurting your blood pressure and heart health.

A platter of salted raw tomatoes and cucumbers becomes an instant salad when topped with tzatziki as a dressing. Bread is smeared with tzatziki and topped with grilled meats or vegetables for a crostini or bruschetta style snack that pairs well with Greek wines, like these Artichoke and Eggplant skewers.

The tirokafteri is robustly spicy, whipped feta tinged red and flecked with chili. As with creaminess—I can't suss. And the tzatziki is richer and thicker than any I've ever had, with no obvious explanation. I dredge hunks of bread through them.

Dipping your favorite roasted vegetables in tzatziki sauce is a healthy way to enjoy a side dish. Roasted broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, and eggplant are just some ideas to try.

Each culture is known for its unique spices and herbs used to create signature dishes, and for the Greeks, those spices are primarily citruses, good quality oils, peppers, oregano, dill, and cheeses.

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.

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.

Greek yogurt is made from cow's milk that is strained to remove the whey, this results in a thicker consistency compared to natural yogurt. It also has a tangier flavour and can often be used as a healthier substitute to mayonnaise, sour cream or crème fraîche.