Tarator (Macedonian Cold Yogurt and Cucumber Soup)
Local name: Таратор
In short: A cold Macedonian soup of thick yogurt, crisp cucumber, garlic, walnuts and dill, finished with a drizzle of oil. Ready in 15 minutes plus chilling. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 245 kcal
Tarator is the cold soup that Macedonian families make when summer heat arrives. Thick yogurt is loosened with cold water and mixed with crisp cucumber, plenty of garlic, chopped walnuts and fresh dill, then chilled until very cold. A drizzle of sunflower oil goes on top. It needs no cooking and takes about 15 minutes to put together, so it is an easy lunch on a hot day.
Instructions
- Toss the diced cucumbers with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a sieve and leave them for 10 minutes. Press out the excess liquid.
- Crush the garlic with another 1/4 teaspoon of the salt to a smooth paste, using the flat side of a knife or a mortar.
- Whisk the yogurt and cold water in a large bowl until smooth and pourable. Stir in the garlic paste, the cucumbers, half the walnuts and half the dill.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, until very cold. The flavors blend as the soup stands.
- Taste and add the remaining salt if needed. If the soup is too thick, stir in a little more cold water. Ladle into bowls, drizzle with the oil and top with the remaining walnuts and dill. Add an ice cube to each bowl if you like.
Tips
- Use thick, full-fat yogurt for the creamiest soup. If it is very sharp, add an extra splash of water to mellow it.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry pan for 3 minutes for a deeper flavor, and let them cool before using.
Questions and answers
Is tarator the same dish everywhere?
No. The name is shared across the region by several cold yogurt dishes, and by nut and tahini sauces elsewhere. In North Macedonia it is a soup of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, walnuts and dill.
Can I make tarator ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 2 days. Stir well before serving and thin it with a little cold water, because it thickens as it stands.
Can I make tarator without walnuts?
Yes. Leave them out for a nut-free soup, or swap in toasted sunflower seeds for a similar crunch.
How long does it take to make Tarator (Macedonian Cold Yogurt and Cucumber Soup)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tarator (Macedonian Cold Yogurt and Cucumber Soup)?
About 245 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 245 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 430 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
