Creamy Greek Tzatziki Sauce
Elevate your Mediterranean dishes with this refreshing and flavorful Tzatziki Sauce, perfect for pairing with grilled meats like souvlaki or gyros. This creamy concoction features finely grated cucumbers, aromatic garlic, and rich Greek yogurt, beautifully balanced with zesty red wine vinegar and a hint of dried mint. Allowing the tzatziki to chill in the refrigerator for several hours heightens its flavors, resulting in a cooling dip that adds a burst of freshness to your meals. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a snack, this versatile sauce is a must-try.
6
Servings
100
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
English cucumbers
2 (grated)
Garlic cloves
6 (peeled)
Salt
to taste (optional)
Plain yogurt
4 cups (Greek style preferred)
Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none needed)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (optional)
Dried mint
1 teaspoon (or dill weed)
Olive oil
4 tablespoons (none needed)
Cheesecloth
1 (for draining)
Instructions
1
Start by grating the English cucumbers and placing them in a sieve. Press down with a heavy plate to let them drain for about 15 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture from the cucumbers.
2
After 15 minutes, take the grated cucumbers and wrap them in cheesecloth. Squeeze firmly to extract as much liquid as possible, ensuring your tzatziki is nice and thick.
3
Transfer the drained cucumbers to a mixing bowl, setting them aside for now.
4
In a mortar, combine the peeled garlic cloves and a pinch of salt. Use a pestle to grind the garlic into a smooth paste, then incorporate this paste into the bowl with the cucumbers.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, red wine vinegar, fresh ground black pepper, dried mint (or dill weed), and olive oil until fully combined.
6
Pour the yogurt mixture over the cucumber and garlic mixture. Use a spatula to blend all the ingredients together until well mixed and creamy.
7
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the tzatziki for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. This resting time enhances the flavors beautifully.
8
Serve chilled as a delicious dip with pita bread, vegetables, or as a dressing for grilled meats.
Nutrition Information
6.7g
Fat
5g
Carbs
6.7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Greek Tzatziki Sauce?
It is a refreshing Mediterranean dip made with cucumbers, garlic, and Greek yogurt, typically served with grilled meats or as a snack.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains 100 calories, 6.7g of fat, 5g of carbohydrates, and 6.7g of protein.
What type of yogurt is best for this recipe?
Greek style plain yogurt is preferred for its thick and creamy texture.
How many cucumbers are needed?
You will need 2 English cucumbers.
Why must the cucumbers be drained?
Draining the cucumbers removes excess moisture, ensuring the tzatziki sauce remains thick and creamy rather than watery.
How long should I drain the grated cucumbers?
Let them drain in a sieve for about 15 minutes, then squeeze them firmly with a cheesecloth.
What role does cheesecloth play in the recipe?
Cheesecloth is used to squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the grated cucumbers.
How do I prepare the garlic for the sauce?
Peel 6 garlic cloves and grind them into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt.
What kind of vinegar is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
Can I use herbs other than dried mint?
Yes, you can substitute dried mint with dill weed if preferred.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
How long should the tzatziki be refrigerated before serving?
It should be refrigerated for at least a few hours, although overnight is preferred for better flavor development.
What are the suggested serving pairings?
It is excellent with pita bread, fresh vegetables, souvlaki, or gyros.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in total, including English cucumbers, garlic, salt, yogurt, vinegar, pepper, mint, olive oil, and cheesecloth.
Is there any sugar in this sauce?
Based on the nutritional data provided, there is no added sugar listed.
Is there fiber in tzatziki?
The nutritional information indicates that fiber content is null or negligible.
What is the recipe category?
This recipe falls under the Sauces category.
How do I mix the yogurt and spices?
Whisk together the yogurt, vinegar, pepper, mint, and olive oil in a separate bowl until fully combined.
What is the first step of the instructions?
Start by grating the English cucumbers and placing them in a sieve to drain.
Does this recipe use fresh or dried mint?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of dried mint.
Can I use regular table salt?
Yes, salt is added to taste and used to help grind the garlic into a paste.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The garlic should be peeled and then ground into a smooth paste.
How should I store leftover tzatziki?
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and keep it in the refrigerator.
Is this a good sauce for souvlaki?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect accompaniment for souvlaki.
What texture should the final sauce have?
The final sauce should be well-mixed, creamy, and thick.
What gives the sauce its zesty flavor?
The zesty flavor comes from the combination of red wine vinegar and aromatic garlic.
Can I use black pepper?
Yes, fresh ground black pepper should be added to taste.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Tags include greek sauce, mediterranean dip, yogurt sauce, and cucumber dip.
Is this sauce served warm or cold?
Tzatziki is served chilled.