GreekEasy · Cold
Tzatziki Cucumber and Garlic Yogurt Dip
Thick yogurt, grated cucumber squeezed properly dry, raw garlic, dill, and olive oil — made correctly, tzatziki should have some real bite to it, not the pallid, watery version you find in supermarkets. It is a condiment, a side dish, and sometimes the entire reason to sit down at the table. Make it with conviction.
Prep
20 min
Rest
30 min
Total
50 min
Method
Prepare the Cucumber
1
Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater into a bowl.
Make the Garlic Yogurt
3
4
Add the yogurt, olive oil, salt, and fresh dill. Whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy.
Combine and Season
B
Nutri-Score
Good balance
A–E · lower is better · score 0
Calories
119
per serving
High in protein · 9gLow sugar · 4g
Protein
9g
Carbs
5g
Fat
7g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
0g
Sugar
4g
Sodium
236mg
VegetarianGluten FreeMediterraneanHigh ProteinHeart HealthyLow Carb FriendlyProbiotic Rich
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
A
Environmental impact
Very low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.3
per serving
ACarbonAEU all-round· both agree
Water
0.3m³
Land
10Pt
Runoff
0.03g P
Greek Yogurt drives 78% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
6
Umami
2
Sweet
4
Salty
5
Sour
1
Bitter
1
Spicy
Textures
CreamySilkyCoolingRefreshing
Aromas
HerbalGarlickyCitrusyBriny
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Mixing BowlCounter FootprintMedium
Safety & Storage
Allergen Warning
Contains dairy from Greek yogurt. Ensure all serving utensils are clean and not cross-contacted with other allergens.
Storage
Must be kept refrigerated at 40°F or below. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours during service.
Shelf Life
Consume within 3-5 days for optimal freshness and safety. Discard if sour odor, mold, or unusual texture develops.
Handling
Use clean, sanitized utensils when mixing and serving. The raw garlic in this recipe requires proper hand washing after preparation.
High Risk Population
Not recommended for extremely immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, or those with severely compromised immune systems without proper heat treatment.
Pro Tips
Technique
When you squeeze the cucumber in the towel, really wring it out — every drop of liquid you remove is flavor you save. Watery tzatziki is a tragedy, my friend.
Substitution
No fresh dill? Use half the amount of dried oregano instead — it won't be traditional, but it will taste like Greece.
Storage
This keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days, and honestly? It tastes even better the next day when the garlic and lemon have married properly.
From the chef
Ah, tzatziki! This is what my grandmother called 'the cool breath' — when the summer heat hits Naxos and you need something to wake up your soul, this is what we reach for. In my tavern, I make it the old way: real Greek yogurt, cucumber that we drain until it's almost dry, and garlic that bites back just enough to remind you it's there. The secret? Squeeze every drop of liquid from that cucumber with your bare hands — my yiayia taught me this, and she was never wrong about anything.
TagsQuick
AllergensMilk
Source: generated · May 30, 2026