Chef John's Tzatziki Sauce

4.6
(262)

I'm going to show you what I think is the best method for making this incredibly delicious Greek yogurt and garlic sauce. One of the world's great snacks, an all-purpose condiment, this is just good on so many things. I serve mine with some homemade pita bread. As always, enjoy!

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
3 hrs 10 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
3 cups
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Ingredients

  • 1 large English cucumber, peeled and grated

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • ½ lemon, juiced

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 sprig fresh dill for garnish

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper for garnish

Directions

  1. Sprinkle grated cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and let stand 10 to 15 minutes to draw out juice.

  2. Place yogurt into a separate bowl. Dump cucumber and its juice onto a sturdy, dry paper or cloth towel and squeeze as much moisture as possible from the cucumber. Mix cucumber into yogurt. Add garlic, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice; mix thoroughly.

  3. Stir dill and mint into yogurt-cucumber mixture; season with salt and black pepper. Adjust all seasonings to taste.

  4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 or 4 hours (or overnight). Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprig of dill and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for color.

556 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

49 Calories
3g Fat
3g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 49
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 120mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 47mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.