Authentic Tzatziki Recipe- Olive Tomato (2024)

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ByElena Paravantes Posted on

Tzatziki, the popular Greek yogurt garlic dip is a favorite at Greek tavernas and restaurants. Creamy, spicy with cool cucumber and garlic, this dip is delicious and addictive!

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. Tzatziki is also the ideal accompaniment with fried (or baked) zucchini chips and any kind of patty or fritter, especially vegetable patties.

Nutritional Value of Tzatziki

While many people associate tzatziki with the unhealthy gyro sandwich or souvlaki, it is actually very healthy and an antioxidant powerhouse. The garlic and olive oil are great sources of antioxidants and the yogurt is a good source of protein, calcium and has some of that friendly bacteria for your belly.

The Authentic Recipe

Now I need to clarify that the original tzatziki should be somewhat strong. I’ve seen recipes with very little garlic, and while less garlic may be less potent for some people, it is not the authentic version. Also it does not contain sour cream as I’ve seen in several recipes, actually you can’t even find sour cream in Greece. Also, it is not tzatziki if it contains avocado or cayenne pepper, yes I’ve seen that as well. Finally, I should note that most Greeks use vinegar, not lemon in tzatziki.

How to Serve Tzatziki

Traditionally, tzatziki is served as a dip along with bread for dipping. It is of course an important ingredient in souvlaki and gyros and it is fine to dip any kind of meat in it as well. I find it makes a great dip for carrot sticks, celery sticks, raw zucchini strips, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

How to Make the Best Tzatziki

My top tips for making that perfect tzatziki:

  1. Yogurt. Ideally you want to use a full fat Greek yogurt not low-fat or fat-free. This will provide a creaminess, richness and flavor needed. Also we typically use cow’s milk yogurt, not goat or sheep’s milk yogurt.
  2. Cucumber. You want to use a cucumber that does not have many seeds or large seeds. If it does have seeds, make sure you remove them. Also you want to make sure you strain the grated cucumber.
  3. Garlic. Use the right amount of garlic. You should minimally use about one medium clove garlic for every 4 ounces of yogurt, otherwise it will just be some sort of generic yogurt dip.
  4. Refrigeration. Let it sit for at least an hour, ideally overnight for the flavor to meld.
  5. Storage: Store in the refrigerator covered for up to 4 days.

And now for the authentic Greek recipe for tzatziki.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

The authentic Greek Tzatziki recipe for this seriously addictive Greek yogurt and garlic dip.

Course: Appetizer, dip

Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean

Keyword: Dip, Greek Yogurt, Tzatziki

Servings: 12

Calories: 50kcal

Author: Elena Paravantes

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crush the garlic with a little bit of salt and pepper.

  • Peel the cucumber and grate. Squeeze well to get rid of water.

  • Whip the yogurt in a bowl and then add the garlic paste, mixing well and then add the cucumber and mix again.

  • Start adding small amounts of olive oil alternating with the vinegar while mixing.

  • Add about 2 teaspoons fresh dill and mix well.

  • Let it sit at least an hour in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Authentic Tzatziki – Greek Garlic Yogurt Dip

Serving Size

2 g

Amount per Serving

Calories

50

% Daily Value*

Carbohydrates

1.64

g

1

%

Protein

1.55

g

3

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Photos by Elena Paravantes All Rights Reserved

Authentic Tzatziki Recipe- Olive Tomato (7)

Elena Paravantes

Elena Paravantes, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Writer and consultant specializing in the Mediterranean Diet and Cuisine. She has been active as a clinician, consultant and lecturer for 20 years, both in the U.S. and Greece. An expert on the Greek Mediterranean Diet, her interviews and articles have been published in many publications including CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Prevention, NPR, and Shape. Elena has collaborated with a number of organizations including Loyola University, Yale University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, and the American College of Greece.

Authentic Tzatziki Recipe- Olive Tomato (2024)

FAQs

What is real tzatziki made of? ›

What is 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.

Why does my tzatziki taste bitter? ›

Your main ingredient – the cucumber – is often the culprit. To avoid this, make sure that you choose the right variety: English and Persian cucumbers have very little, or no, bitterness. Also sample a slice before grating and avoid using the ends as this is where the bitter compounds will be most concentrated.

Do they eat tzatziki in Greece? ›

Tzatziki, a refreshing yogurt-based sauce, is a staple in Greek cuisine. Made with thick Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, and dill, this sauce offers a cool and tangy contrast to the richer flavors of other dishes.

What are 5 dishes that you could put tzatziki on? ›

Ways to use tzatziki from Jamie's 5 Ingredients Mediterranean
  • Lemon-tzatziki chicken.
  • Gorgeous greek chicken with herby vegetable couscous & tzatziki.
  • Grilled lamb chops with fattoush.
  • Crispy barbecued side of salmon with cucumber yoghurt.
  • Souvlaki (Wicked kebabs)
  • My special vegan kofte.
  • Sizzling lamb lollipops.
Sep 8, 2023

Is tzatziki healthier than hummus? ›

Yes, tzatziki is considered a healthier dip than hummus and sour cream. It contains several vitamins, a good amount of protein, and fewer carbohydrates and calories. The fat content of tzatziki is low too, which is not the case with other dips.

Is tzatziki originally Greek? ›

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's the difference between raita and tzatziki? ›

Raita is made with plain yogurt and tzatziki is made with thicker Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner while tzatziki has a thick consistency. They're used in different ways. Raita is a more versatile dish with many different recipes.

What is the difference between tzatziki and mast o khiar? ›

Differences between Mast-O-Khiar and Tzatziki: tzatziki is Greek in origin; mast-o-khiar is Iranian/Persian. tzatziki is made with a thicker (strained), Greek-style yogurt while mast-o-khiar can be made with a thinner, plain yogurt. tzatziki has dill, mast-o-khiar usually has mint.

Is tzatziki Greek or Arab? ›

Tzatziki is made with Greek yogurt and the cucumbers are grated so it is a much thicker sauce, but if you like it then you will love this! Tzatziki is Greek and this sauce has it's roots in Lebanese cuisine.

Is tzatziki anti inflammatory? ›

Tzatziki sauce is perfect healthy snack, especially thanks to protein-packed greek yogurt, shredded cucumber and anti-inflammatory garlic. It's as simple as it sounds: yogurt cucumber sauce!

How long does homemade tzatziki last? ›

Tzatziki sauce should be kept in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator when you're not using it. As long as it's stored properly, you can expect homemade tzatziki to last about three to four days. This will depend on how fresh the yogurt was when you made the sauce.

Do Egyptians eat tzatziki? ›

Zabadi is the Egyptian version of the Greek tzatziki, though its main ingredient is not cucumber (which is totally optional) but fresh mint. You can use it to accompany grilled meats or eat it with pita bread.

Is tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt? ›

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.

What's the difference between tzatziki and dill dip? ›

The only difference is that a Tzatziki Sauce has a tablespoon of lemon juice and a couple of cloves of minced garlic added to these same ingredients I used below. The ingredients need for this Cucumber Dill Sauce for so simple. It's just cucumber, Greek yogurt, milk and chopped fresh dill.

Why does tzatziki get watery? ›

The watery sauce is due to the cucumbers, which hold lots of water. The best way to avoid a watery tzatziki sauce is to get the excess moisture out of the grated cucumber before it's added to the sauce mixture.

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