Middle EasternEasy · Cold
Garlic Yogurt and Cucumber Dip
A cooling Middle Eastern meze of thick yogurt laced with garlic, bright lemon and crisp cucumber, finished with a generous pool of olive oil. Serve with warm bread and watch it disappear.
Prep
20 min
Rest
10 min
Total
30 min
Method
Prepare the Cucumber
1
Halve cucumbers lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a spoon. Coarsely grate into a bowl.
2
Toss grated cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let drain in a fine mesh sieve for 10 minutes. Press firmly to remove excess liquid—this step matters, don't rush it.
Build the Garlic Yogurt
3
4
Plate and Finish
6
Spread the dip onto a wide shallow bowl, creating a well in the center for the oil to pool.
7
8
Serve immediately with thick slices of warm bread for dragging through the bowl. This dip waits for no one.
B
Nutri-Score
Good balance
A–E · lower is better · score 1
Calories
126
per serving
High in protein · 9gLow sugar · 5g
Protein
9g
Carbs
7g
Fat
7g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
5g
Sodium
453mg
VegetarianGluten FreeLow CarbMediterraneanWhole30 CompatibleHeart HealthyAnti InflammatoryGut FriendlyLow Sodium AppropriateHigh ProteinBalanced FatsProbiotic RichImmune Support
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
0.4
per serving
ACarbonAEU all-round· both agree
Water
0.4m³
Land
12Pt
Runoff
0.03g P
Yogurt drives 70% 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
5
Umami
2
Sweet
5
Salty
7
Sour
1
Bitter
0
Spicy
Textures
CreamyCrispSilkySoft
Aromas
GarlickyCitrusHerbalFruity
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
WhiskChef KnifeCutting BoardFine Mesh SieveGraterWhiskMixing BowlSpoonServing BowlGarlic Press OptionalServing SpoonBread For Dipping
Counter FootprintSmall
Safety & Storage
Cross Contamination
Thoroughly wash all equipment (grater, mesh sieve, whisk, bowls) that contacts the yogurt to prevent cross-contact with other allergens. Use dedicated utensils if preparing for individuals with severe milk allergies.
Storage
Keep yogurt-based dip refrigerated at or below 40°F (4°C). Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours, especially in warm environments.
Shelf Life
Consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and food safety. Yogurt-based dips with fresh garlic and cucumber have limited shelf life due to moisture content.
High Risk Population
Raw garlic in this dip may pose a gastrointestinal risk for elderly, pregnant, or immunocompromised individuals. Consider using roasted garlic as a safer alternative for vulnerable populations.
Allergen Warning
This recipe contains milk/dairy from yogurt. Ensure all serving vessels and bread for dipping are free from allergen cross-contact.
Handling
Minimize bare-hand contact with the dip after handling raw garlic. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds between tasks.
Pro Tips
Technique
After salting the cucumber, really press and squeeze—every drop of liquid you remove is a step toward a dip that clings to the bread instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
Substitution
If you want more heat, stir in a pinch of Aleppo pepper or a small green chile minced to paste right into the garlic yogurt before folding in the cucumber.
Presentation
Drizzle the olive oil in a slow, generous spiral—people will literally follow that oil trail with their bread, so make it a journey worth taking.
From the chef
Thick yogurt laced with raw garlic paste, bright lemon, and crisp cucumber — well-salted and pressed to release every drop of moisture — is the dip that makes people forget they were saving room for the main course. The cucumber brings freshness and a slight bite without turning the yogurt watery; squeezing it firmly before folding it in is not optional. A generous pool of olive oil drizzled across the surface and torn parsley scattered over the top make this look as good as it tastes. Spread it onto a wide shallow bowl, drag warm bread through it without hesitation, and scrape the last traces with satisfaction.
TagsColdFreshVegetarianNo CookEasyHealthyYogurtGarlic
AllergensMilk
Source: generated · June 9, 2026