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Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe combines real thick greek yogurt, seedless cucumber, garlic, dill and splash of olive oil and vinegar. It’s a perfect sauce that can be paired with meals like grilled meats, vegetables, sandwiches, pitas or salads.
Tzatziki – a perfect addition to BBQ
Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe is something I wanted to post for a while and I think this post is way overdue. The good news is that the summer has just begun and this Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe can add a refreshing touch for your next BBQ.
The Tzatziki tastes amazing when you pair it with grilled chicken like this Honey Harrisa Chicken Skewers, pork like this Brown Sugar Pork Chops with Garlic & Herbs or even just a burger like this Mushroom Black Bean Veggie Burger.
It can compliment grilled veggies (like zucchini, eggplant, portobello mushrooms, onions or tomatoes), or it can serve as an appetizer (Greek mezze) with pita chips or crudités. As you can see, there are plenty of possibilities for this sauce. You may find this a useful recipe to keep handy all summer long.
How to Make Tzatziki
To make this traditional Greek Tzatziki recipe you will need only a few, but good quality, ingredients:
- Real greek strained yogurt. Preferably full fat, but you can do 2% as well. I wouldn’t do fat-free, as it will be too watery and will lack both creaminess and taste;
- Shredded seedless cucumber;
- A couple of cloves of freshly chopped garlic;
- Freshly chopped dill;
- Red wine vinegar;
- Extra virgin olive oil;
- Salt & pepper.
And that’s it. You just need to mix everything together and let the flavors marry. A Greek friend of mine once told me that to make the tzatziki “pop” you’ll need to add a splash of red wine vinegar.
I’ve seen recipes with lemon juice or white vinegar but red wine vinegar is the most used vinegar in Greece, so it totally made sense to me. And after tasting it, it made even better sense. Mind you though, you’ll only need a splash; be sure that splash isn’t generous enough to change the color of the sauce to red.
Other uses of Greek Yogurt
I must admit that I am so happy that America jumped onto the Greek yogurt bandwagon. It’s so accessible now, and there are plenty of really good options – including organic ones. Ever since my childhood trips to Greece, I’ve been in love with greek yogurt.
Now seeing it everywhere really makes my heart happy. I can (& do) enjoy it whenever I want. Oh, and did I mention that I prefer it served savory, rather than sweet? I often just add olives or tomatoes to my greek yogurt and eat it as a snack.
If I need a zing, I can even add some herbs and cayenne to it. My husband thinks this obsession is a bit off, but who am I to argue with my tastes buds? I even used it as an addition to soups like this Golden Bell Pepper Soup with Cayenne & Greek Yogurt.
Anyways, the abundance of this Greek yogurt has made it possible to have this Traditional Greek Tzatziki recipe whenever I feel like it. I hope you’ll like it as much as I do.
Oh, and by the way, know that while Tzatziki is a traditional Greek dish, other Mediterranean countries have adopted their own versions with different names. I found it very interesting. If you’re curious, you may want to check what Wikipedia says about it.
Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber seedless, shredded
- 1,5 cup yogurt Greek
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp dill finally chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tbsp vinegar red wine
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Shred the cucumber and if it is very watery drain it through the strainer. You can also leave it to drain for half hour or even over night in a fridge.
- Add minced garlic, chopped dill, yogurt, olive oil, vinegar and salt. Let the flavors merge for at least half hour.
- Serve it with grilled meats, veggies or as an appetizer with pita bread.
Notes
Nutrition
If you like this recipe you may also like other Greek dishes:
Kolokhitopita – Greek Zucchini Pie
Greek Panzanella Salad with Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette
Greek Lentil Soup with Feta – Fakes
Greek Chicken with Tomatoes, Cauliflower and Feta
This looks so good and I am also grateful that America has jumped on the Greek yogurt bandwagon. Thank you for sharing! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Thanks Luci!
When I go to Greek restaurants, I HAVE to order something that has tzatziki on it or at least on the side, but I have never had success making it at home. I will try your recipe! And since I have gotten accustomed to Greek yogurt, regular yogurt is just too runny for me.😝
Thanks Mary. Regular yogurt is too runny for me too 🙂
That looks really good. I love (dairy) yogurt based recipes and that’s the only reason I can’t go vegan as yet. I am happy to see that you have used full fat Greek yogurt here.
I hear you about going vegan. I can survive without meat, but cheese and yogurt is too hard to give up. And I only use full fat dairy in my house 🙂
This looks fabulous! I love tzatziki and there’s nothing like homemade 🙂 Perfect for veggies, chips, wraps or just about anything!
Thanks Dawn
I basically lived on this when we were travelling round Greece. It goes on everything too. We make it at least once a week too.
Thanks Dannii!