Homemade tzatziki

The only tzatziki recipe you’ll ever need

Tzatziki – a yoghurt and cucumber dip – has a long history with many, many global variations. In Türkiye, cacik is a soup-style yoghurt sauce with sumac and fresh mint. A Balkan tarator adds walnuts, oil and garlic to watered-down yoghurt, while the Middle Eastern soup dip of the same name is a combination of lemon, garlic and tahini. In fiery Indian cuisine, raita is a yoghurt and cucumber dip that balances the spices in the meal being served. The world loves a yoghurt dip, and tzatziki is among the most well-known and versatile of them all – for good reason.

Widely popular in Greece, where it’s traditionally served as part of a mezedes (snack) platter, tzatziki is a cool and creamy mixture with freshness and tang. The cooling combination of yoghurt, cucumber and herbs is simple and can easily be used as a spread or dip. In other good news, this recipe can be made in advance, which enhances its refreshing flavours. Follow our tips for how to make tzatziki at home. 

Are you looking for more inspiration? Check out our collection of easy dip and condiment recipes for ideas. 

Choosing the right yoghurt

Greek-style yoghurts are perfect for making this dip because of their thick, creamy texture. Like regular yoghurts, Greek-style yoghurt is a fermented dairy product made from fresh milk. However, Greek and Greek-style yoghurt is thicker than most others. This is achieved by straining a regular yoghurt or by the addition of other ingredients. The result is a thick yoghurt, often with a tangier taste. It’s perfect for using in an easy tzatziki recipe because it’s meant to be a thicker-style dip that will happily sit on a cracker or crudité and not be too watery when added to something like a gyros or a chicken souvlaki.

How to serve tzatziki: go beyond dip platters

This homemade tzatziki can be the star anytime you need a fresh, creamy sauce or spread. It’s often served as a dip, with crackers, bread or vegetable sticks, but there are many other ways to enjoy it. Embrace the Greek idea of serving tzatziki dip as part of an array of snacks or appetisers – create a platter with dolmades, olives, pita bread and marinated vegetables. The tzatziki is essential here to help balance out those big flavours and reset the palate. 

To add it to main meals, try spreading tzatziki in a burger, wrap or sandwich, or dolloping a little on a meaty pizza. Instead of bottled sauce, fresh tzatziki can accompany fritters, falafel, grilled vegetables, meatballs or meat skewers.

For other easy ideas for tzatziki pairings, look to Greece for inspiration. Lamb is a typical centrepiece for Greek feasts, and tzatziki goes wonderfully with this robust, slightly gamey meat. For example, Curtis Stone pairs this spiced lamb leg with fennel tzatziki to create an exotic spread with complementary flavours. Any sort of smoked or charred meat cooked on a barbecue, grill or spit will also benefit from tzatziki. Don’t be afraid to add extras to your dip either – this apple and cucumber tzatziki is made crunchy and slightly tart with green apples.