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Close-up of tzatziki sauce recipe showing thick, creamy texture with olive oil drizzle and fresh dill garnish
Abdul Rehman

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

A thick, garlicky tzatziki sauce made with full-fat Greek yogurt, fresh cucumber, lemon, dill, and olive oil. This tzatziki sauce recipe comes together in 45 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on prep and stays creamy and full-flavored in the fridge for up to four days.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Rest Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Condiment / Sauce, Sauce
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 80

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large English cucumber about 300g / 10.5 oz
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt for the cucumber
  • 2 cups 480g full-fat Greek yogurt, well-strained
  • 3 cloves garlic minced fine
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried dill)
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt for the final sauce
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper

Method
 

  1. Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater, skin on. Toss with 1/2 tsp sea salt and place in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Let drain for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Transfer the cucumber to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly over the sink until no more liquid drips out.
  3. Mince the garlic finely. Optionally, mash it with a pinch of salt using the flat of a knife into a rough paste.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the strained Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Stir until fully combined. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  5. Fold in the chopped fresh dill. Drizzle in the olive oil and stir gently to incorporate.
  6. Taste and adjust with lemon juice, salt, or dill. Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh dill sprigs. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.