Tzatziki is a refreshing and creamy Mediterranean sauce that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, pita bread, or as a dip for vegetables. This classic Greek condiment is made with thick natural yogurt, crisp cucumber, zesty lemon juice, fresh dill and garlic, creating a delicious balance of tangy and savory flavors. It’s simple to prepare and adds a cooling touch to any dish.

My wife loves tzatziki sauce so she makes one at least twice a month. Trust me, there is nothing like homemade, fresh sauce. Once, we bought one in the grocery store to compare and it was awful. It takes only 15 minutes and a few simple ingredients to make it at home.

You can play around with the recipe a little bit. Add more garlic or lemon juice if you like. Try different type of cucumbers.

Mostly we use Tzatziki as a dip for our vegetables when we snack watching Netflix. Sometimes I use it on my sandwich or burger and fries.

Here is a simple recipe that we use and I hope you like it.

Ingredients

• 3 cups natural yogurt (Greek-style for a thicker consistency)
• 1 large cucumber, grated and drained
• 3 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 lemon (juiced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

First wash and grate the cucumber. Use the largest holes on a box grater for better texture. Next, squeeze out excess moisture using a clean cloth, paper towel or colander (like I do). I leave the shredded cucumber in colander for about 10 minutes to let most of the liquid out. I usually press it with the spatula once in a while. Squeezing the liquid out is very important. If you don’t do it, the sauce will be runny, or even worse, the water from cucumber may cause the sauce to separate.

In a bowl, mix the yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice and dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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Some recipes call for a mint or/and olive oil. Both my wife and I are not big fans of this options, but if you feel adventurous, you can add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and/or a tablespoon of chopped fresh mint.

Let the tzatziki chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Serve cold as a dip, spread or sauce alongside your favorite dishes.

You can store the sauce in the fridge in a tightly-covered glass container for up to 4 days.

Enjoy your homemade tzatziki!

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