Tzatziki Sauce Recipe - Wholesome Yum (2024)

I first learned how to make tzatziki sauce during my time working at a bustling Greek restaurant, where my passion for Mediterranean cuisine began. It was creamy and fresh, and made me feel like I was taking a trip to the little island of Santorini where the owner was from. So when I came around to making my own homemade tzatziki sauce recipe, I kept it close to the traditional — creamy full-fat Greek yogurt, crisp cucumber, fresh dill, and a splash of lemon juice. But, I’ve added my personal twist with a bit of fresh parsley. It’s the perfect sauce to brighten up your meals!

Why You’ll Love My Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

• Fresh, vibrant, and oh-so-creamy – The rich and creamy Greek yogurt base, the pungent extra virgin olive oil, the crisp and cool cucumbers, the fresh herbs… I love it all. If you like a luxuriously smooth texture paired with a tangy taste and a little crunch, you’ll love it, too.
• Fast and simple – With just 7 common ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time, my easy tzatziki sauce recipe is incredibly simple to whip up. Such a quick way to upgrade your meal!
• Customize the consistency – Whether you like it chunky, smooth, thick, or thin, you can make it every which way. I settled on how I like it, but I’ve got easy tips to adjust it to how you like it.
• Versatile favorite – Whether you’re drizzling it over grilled meats (I love it with lamb kofta or grilled lamb), or using it as a refreshing dip for veggies, my tzatziki is as versatile as it is flavorful.

What Is Tzatziki Sauce?

Tzatziki sauce is a salted yogurt and cucumber sauce, common in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It originated from the Greeks and Turks. It’s cool, creamy, and goes well with so many dishes! You won’t run out of ways to eat this.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best tzatziki sauce ingredients for my recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Greek Yogurt – This is the base of the sauce, making it both creamy and thick. I try to find full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture, but have made this with non-fat yogurt and it still works fine. You can also use regular plain yogurt, though your tzatziki sauce will be thinner and less tangy. If you need a dairy-free option, coconut yogurt will work, albeit with a different flavor and also thinner texture.
• Cucumber– My key ingredient for that essential crisp, refreshing crunch! You’ll need 8 ounces, so that’s usually your average medium-sized cucumber. I always grate my cucumbers for tzatziki sauce recipes, but if you don’t have a grater, you can simply chop them very finely.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I use this one because I like the fruity, peppery flavor, but you can totally use light olive oil or even avocado oil for a milder touch.
• Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice definitely tastes the best, but I often just use bottled lemon juice for convenience. Lime juice or vinegar would also work here, but lemon is the classic.
• Garlic– I highly recommend fresh garlic cloves, but if you’re in a hurry, 1 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic will do the trick.
• Fresh Herbs – I’ve chosen fresh dill and parsley for my Greek tzatziki sauce to match the fresh and bright vibes going on here. You can also add fresh mint if you like. I don’t recommend using dried herbs.
• Sea Salt

How To Make Tzatziki Sauce

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Grate & drain the cucumbers. After grating with a box grater, squeeze the cucumbers in a kitchen dish towel or cheesecloth over the sink to remove as much liquid as you can. They should look pretty dry afterward, like my picture below.

2. Mix the base of the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs, garlic, and salt.
3. Add the cucumbers. Stir the cucumbers into the yogurt sauce. Taste your tzatziki sauce and add more salt to your taste, if you need to.

I like to garnish mine with a drizzle of olive oil and extra fresh herbs.

Storage Instructions

I store my homemade tzatziki sauce recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days. It rarely lasts that long for me, because my daughter puts this on all her meats when we have it. 😉

Making this sauce ahead actually makes the flavors meld beautifully. Just be aware that it might get a bit watery, as the cucumbers release more moisture over time. I usually drain off any extra liquid or stir it in if it’s only a little bit. But, you can also strain it like I explained in my tips above.

Serving Suggestions

Every time I make this, I always ask myself why I didn’t make a triple batch. It goes so fast at our house! Here are some of the ways we use my homemade tzatziki sauce:

• Chicken – I serve this sauce with my Mediterranean-inspired chicken kabobs when I’m grilling, or just Mediterranean chicken if I’m cooking inside. My kids love it on their lamb burgers. It also pairs well with my spicy peri peri chicken to tame the heat.
• Lamb – I first made this tzatziki recipe for my lamb kofta kebabs, and they’re still one of my fave ways to use it. It’s also a must for gyros, and irresistible with lamb chops.
• Fish – I don’t usually think of tzatziki sauce pairing with fish, but it works really well on my salmon burgers.
• Pork – Although pork isn’t my favorite to serve with tzatziki sauce, I do always make it for my Greek souvlaki.
• Salad – Add a dollop of this sauce to my vibrant chopped Mediterranean salad or Greek salad for some extra protein and a cool contrast.
• Mediterranean Platter – I love platters because they’re such an easy way to keep everyone happy! Serve up my tzatziki sauce recipe with some hummus (or my cauliflower hummus), kalamata olives,sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and pita bread (I even have low carb pita bread if you need it).

More Homemade Sauce Recipes

If you’re loving the fresh, healthy vibes of my tzatziki sauce recipe, why stop there? Try some of my other homemade sauces:

My Favorite Box Grater For This Recipe

All you need to grate the cucumbers is a good ol’ box grater. This one I use is super sturdy, and has different sides for grating, shredding, and even slicing.