Print

Fresh Tzatziki Sauce Recipe Easy Homemade Creamy Mediterranean Dip with Dill and Garlic

fresh tzatziki sauce - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy homemade tzatziki sauce that is creamy, tangy, and refreshing with fresh dill and garlic. Perfect as a Mediterranean dip for pita, grilled meats, or veggies.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 medium cucumber (about 8 oz / 225 g), seedless or English, grated and thoroughly drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and peel the cucumber if the skin is thick or waxed. Grate it finely using a box grater or food processor (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Place the grated cucumber in a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth and press firmly to squeeze out as much liquid as possible, aiming for about 2 tablespoons of drained cucumber.
  3. Mince the garlic cloves finely and chop the fresh dill leaves without woody stems (about 2 minutes prep).
  4. In a mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt and freshly squeezed lemon juice until smooth.
  5. Fold in the drained cucumber, minced garlic, and fresh dill gently to keep the dip creamy and airy.
  6. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning carefully.
  7. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and mix through for richness and smooth mouthfeel.
  8. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
  9. If the dip is too thick after chilling, stir in a teaspoon or two of cold water or milk to reach preferred consistency.

Notes

Drain cucumber thoroughly to avoid watery sauce. Use full-fat Greek yogurt for best creaminess. Fresh dill is preferred over dried. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Adjust garlic to taste. For vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut or almond-based yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: tzatziki, Mediterranean dip, Greek yogurt sauce, cucumber dip, garlic dip, dill sauce, easy appetizer, healthy dip

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/fresh-tzatziki-sauce-recipe-easy-homemade-creamy-mediterranean-dip-with-dill-and-garlic/