Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt, Cucumber and Garlic Dip)
Local name: Τζατζίκι
In short: Thick strained yogurt with grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil and dill, a cool Greek dip for grilled meat, pita and vegetables. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 120 kcal
Tzatziki is a cold dip of thick strained yogurt, cucumber, garlic and olive oil. Greeks serve it with grilled meats, fried vegetables and bread, and spoon it into souvlaki pita. The trick is to squeeze the cucumber dry so the dip stays thick, and to let it rest for an hour so the garlic mellows. It takes about 15 minutes of work.
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater, skin on if the skin is thin. Toss it with the salt and let it drain in a sieve for 15 minutes.
- Wrap the cucumber in a clean cloth and squeeze it as dry as you can, so no liquid drips out.
- In a bowl, whisk the yogurt with the garlic, olive oil and vinegar until smooth.
- Fold in the cucumber and dill. Taste and add a pinch of salt or more garlic if you like.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve in a shallow bowl, drizzled with olive oil.
Tips
- If your yogurt is thin, strain it for 2 hours in a sieve lined with a cloth until it is as thick as soft cheese.
- The garlic gets stronger as it sits, so start with 2 cloves and add more after chilling if you want a sharper dip.
Questions and answers
Why is my tzatziki watery?
The cucumber was not squeezed dry or the yogurt was too loose. Salt, drain and wring out the cucumber, and use strained yogurt.
How long does tzatziki keep?
Up to 3 days in a covered container in the fridge. Stir before serving and pour off any liquid that collects.
What do you eat tzatziki with?
Grilled meats, souvlaki, pita, fries, fried zucchini and raw vegetables. It is also a cooling side for spicy food.
How long does it take to make Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt, Cucumber and Garlic Dip)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt, Cucumber and Garlic Dip)?
About 120 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 250 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
