Chilled Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce
A refreshing Greek sauce blending creamy yogurt, cooling cucumber, fresh garlic, dill, and lemon juice—perfect for dipping or topping grilled meats. This Greek recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs Greek yogurt (full fat), cucumber, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (full fat)
- 1 medium, peeled and grated cucumber
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 peeled and grated medium cucumber in a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and press to release excess water. Let drain 10 minutes, then squeeze cucumber with hands to remove remaining moisture.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt, the drained grated cucumber, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
- Step 3: Stir the mixture until smooth and well blended. Season with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and adjust salt if needed.
- Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and chill.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chilled Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep greek yogurt (full fat) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chilled Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce?
Mediterranean greek like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This tzatziki is a game-changer! Made it for my Greek dinner party and everyone raved about it.
- ★★★★★
My family asked for seconds! The cucumber was perfectly crunchy and the yogurt so creamy.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, but it took longer than expected to get the cucumber juice out. Still worth it though.
