Description
This easy 10-minute healthy tzatziki sauce is a creamy, tangy dip made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon, garlic, and fresh dill. Perfect as a refreshing accompaniment for pita chips, naan, or fresh veggies, it’s quick to prepare and can be stored for meal prep.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt (nonfat or as preferred)
- ½ English cucumber (about ⅔ cup), seeds removed and diced into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
- ¼ cup fresh chopped dill
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Cucumber: Place the diced cucumber in a strainer set over a bowl and sprinkle it with kosher salt. Let it sit for a few minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat it dry gently with a clean paper towel to avoid a watery sauce.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, add the Greek yogurt, prepared cucumber, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, fresh dill, ground black pepper, and the remaining kosher salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a creamy sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish the tzatziki with additional fresh dill, a sprinkle of black pepper, and a small drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor and presentation. Serve chilled with pita chips, naan, or fresh chopped vegetables.
Notes
- You may use full-fat, reduced-fat, or fat-free plain Greek yogurt depending on preference; the recipe uses organic nonfat Greek yogurt.
- Straining excess water from the yogurt can result in a thicker sauce if desired.
- English seedless cucumbers are preferred due to lower water content and ease of dicing, but regular cucumbers can be used with proper straining.
- Don’t skip salting and draining the cucumber to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- Fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and dill provide the best vibrant flavor; bottled lemon juice and dried dill may be substituted but with less freshness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
