• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

SmartyPantsKitchen logo

  • About
  • Foodie Tips
  • Kitchen 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Foodie Tips
  • Kitchen 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Dips and Dressings

Greek Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki Sauce)

Published: Aug 15, 2022 · Last Modified: Aug 15, 2022 by Anecia

  • share
  • share
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Quick, easy and refreshingly cool, Greek Yogurt Dip, also known as "Tzatziki Sauce," is perfect for hot summer days and is ready in 10-minutes!

This Greek dip is perfect with Naan bread, Pita bread or chips, crisp veggies or crackers, and you can also use it as a sauce for fish, chicken or beef!

You'll typically find this yogurt-based dip served in Greek or Mediterranean restaurants - usually served with dolmas, hummus and Naan bread or pita chips.

I make this low fat Greek dip every summer...there's just something about the cooling effect of crisp cucumbers, combined with cool, creamy yogurt, fresh dill, lemon and a hint of garlic!

Greek yogurt dip in bowl with naan bread.

Why you'll love this recipe!

  • Quick and Easy Dip- it takes about 10-minutes to make and is a perfect "no cook" party food!
  • Simple ingredients - made with real ingredients - no fillers, preservatives or additives - just plain yogurt, dill, garlic, fresh herbs, lemon and cucumber
  • Low-fat and all-natural - no dried dip mixes or ingredients you can't pronounce

Serve this creamy, tangy low-calorie Mediterranean Dip with pita bread, Naan bread, or fresh veggies! It's also fabulous as a sauce for fish or chicken!

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe!
  • Here's what you'll need
  • How to make Greek Yogurt Dip
  • Recipe tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes:
  • 📋 Recipe

Here's what you'll need

Cucumber (use 1 regular cucumber or ½ of a long English cucumber), minced garlic, olive oil, plain Greek yogurt, fresh dill, fresh lemon juice and a little lemon zest for garnish.

You can substitute fresh garlic for minced. Start with about 3 garlic cloves; if you want more, add more. I prefer using fresh herbs (fresh dill weed), but if you can't find it, you can use dried dill weed. See "Recipe Tips" below for the amount of dried dill.

I recommend getting a full fat Greek yogurt for this dip. Season to taste with a little salt and/or ground black pepper.

Ingredients for greek yogurt dip on white background

How to make Greek Yogurt Dip

Peel and slice cucumber and place into food processor. Pulse 5-6 times; remove and strain in a paper towel to remove excess water.

In a medium bowl, combine chopped/drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, fresh dill week, garlic powder and lemon juice; combine well and place mixture in food processor.

While pulsing the mixture, drizzle in a teaspoon of olive oil; add more or less to get the desired consistency; place in serving bowl, taste for salt; Garnish with a few sprigs of fresh dill weed and lemon zest. Serve with pita chips, pita bread, Naan bread or tortilla chips.

Step by step visual instructions labeled

Recipe tips

This recipe yields about 1 cup of dip and uses ½ of an English cucumber; if you can't find a seedless English cucumber, use a whole regular one...

I've found the best way to peel a cucumber is with a potato peeler

Dried herbs are stronger than fresh. If you use dried dill weed, use about 1 tablespoon instead of 3 tablespoons of fresh dill weed

Make this cucumber-dill dip as creamy or chunky as you like

Greek yogurt is thicker than traditional yogurt; if you use traditional, start with ¾ cup of yogurt; add more until you get the consistency you like

Variations

Want a spicy Greek yogurt sauce? Add a splash of Louisiana hot sauce, sriracha sauce or a hint of cayenne pepper or chili powder

Want a tangy yogurt sauce? Add more lemon juice, a hint of lime juice or white vinegar

Storage

Greek Yogurt Dip will hold up well in the fridge for about up to a week, provided it's covered well and in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended. 

Greek yogurt dip in bowl with naan bread.

I like to serve this easy recipe with naan or pita bread, raw veggies, dolmas or or as a sauce with fish. It also pairs beautifully with lamb.

Related recipes:

  • Dill Shrimp Salad
  • Vermicelli Summer Salad
  • How to Create the Ultimate Hot Dog Bar
  • Marinated Cucumber Onion Salad
  • Buttermilk Dill Ranch Dressing
  • Seafood Cobb Salad
  • Savory Pumpkin Hummus
  • Mediterranean Gnocchi
  • Shrimp Saganaki (Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta)

If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a comment and rating. I love to hear from you!

📋 Recipe

Greek yogurt dip in a bowl with a piece of naan bread dipped

Greek Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki Sauce)

Creamy and tangy yogurt sauce with hints of cucumber, garlic, dill and lemon.
5 from 4 votes
Print Text Recipe Rate
Course: Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine: Greek, International
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Refrigerate and Allow to Rest: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Total Yield: 1 cup
Author: Anecia Hero
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

  • 1½ cups Greek yogurt plain flavor
  • 1 large cucumber peeled and shredded (or pulsed in food processor); or ½ an English cucumber
  • 3 tablespoons dill fresh; see recipe notes
  • 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice , fresh
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil high quality
  • salt to taste

Instructions 

  • Peel cucumber; slice and place slices in food processor; pulse 5-6 times
    1 large cucumber
  • Remove cucumber from processor and place in paper towel; squeeze out excess water
  • Add cucumber and remaining ingredients to medium bowl; combine well
    1½ cups Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons dill, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Return cucumber mixture to food processor; drizzle in 1 teaspoon olive oil; taste for salt
    1 teaspoon olive oil, salt to taste
  • Pulse to desired consistency; give it 2-3 quick pulses, if you want it thinner, pulse it a few more times; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve

Notes

  • This recipe uses fresh dill; however, if you use dried dill, use only 1 tablespoon of dried
  • No lemon? Substitute with white vinegar
  • English cucumbers are larger than regular (slicing) cucumbers and they're also seedless; if you don't have an English cucumber, use a regular slicing cucumber
  • This recipe uses ½ of an English cucumber; if you don't have an English cucumber, use a whole "regular" cucumber
  • Use this dip as a sauce for fish, chicken, or beef
  • Want to thin the sauce? Add a little water to it

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1cupCalories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 33gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 116mgPotassium: 804mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 294IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 384mgIron: 1mg
Craving More? Pin it and Share!Mention @SmartyPantsKitchen or tag #smartypantskitchen!
Join the Facebook group!Mention @SmartyPantsKitchen or tag #smartypantskitchen!

More Dip and Dressing Recipes

  • Cheddar Cheese Ring
  • White Balsamic Vinaigrette (Low-Sodium)
  • Tex-Mex Chile con Queso
  • Mardi Gras Muffaletta Layer Dip

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leslie Samulski says

    November 12, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!!! Very lite and refreshing! Definitely will be making this for my family this holiday season💛

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      November 13, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      Glad you liked the Tzatziki sauce! Thank you!

      Reply

I'd love to hear from you! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

Texas Recipes

  • Texas Chili
  • Original Texas Sheet Cake
  • Sausage Cream Gravy
  • Classic Southern Pecan Pie
  • Southern Chicken Fried Steak
  • Fresh Apple Cake

Brunch

  • Foolproof Quiche
  • Easy Sausage Balls
  • Smoked Tomato Bisque (Low-Sodium)
  • Low Carb Crustless Quiche Recipe
  • Spinach Feta Pie
  • Shrimp Saganaki (Baked Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta)

Reader Favorites

  • Restaurant-Quality Fried Catfish
  • Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce
  • Fish and Chips: No Beer Batter
  • Southern Cream Gravy

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and recipes

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2018-2022 SmartyPantsKitchen.com