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 are the main ingredients in tzatziki? ›

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.

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

How do Greek people eat tzatziki? ›

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.

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.

Does tzatziki have garlic in it? ›

Tzatziki is made of strained yogurt (usually from sheep or goat milk) mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dill or mint or parsley.

What vegetables go with tzatziki? ›

Serve with a variety of vegetables like: fresh green beans (lightly steamed), green, red, or yellow bell peppers, carrots, celery, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Can you eat tzatziki everyday? ›

Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk. If you add tzatziki to your meals, you can boost everyday dishes while savouring the many potential health benefits tzatziki brings.

Does tzatziki contain onion? ›

Tzatziki is a yogurt salad typically made with cucumbers, onions and garlic. At least, these are what I consider to be the essential ingredients.

What is a fun fact about tzatziki? ›

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 meat goes with tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki together with any kind of simple grilled, marinated, roasted or air fried meat or fish are a match made in heaven. Lamb chops or simply cooked salmon would be my top picks! Either spoon the sauce over the meat or fish or serve it on the side.

What is the difference between Greek and Turkish tzatziki? ›

And maybe the most important difference. is in the consistency. As a Turkish version, it's more diluted and more like a soup than a dip. Lastly, Chechuk uses more herbs like mint, dill, and dried mint. And while you'll find tzatziki with dill, it's often served with no herbs.

Is tzatziki made from yogurt or sour cream? ›

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.

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.

Does tzatziki contain mayonnaise? ›

Mix together cucumber, yogurt, sour cream, mayonnaise, and garlic in a serving bowl; season with salt and pepper.

What is the primary flavoring agent of a Greek tzatziki sauce? ›

Garlic is the primary flavoring agent of a Greek Tzatziki sauce.

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