Tzatiki- The simple sauce that elevates everything
Got a cucumber and some greek yogurt in the fridge?
Then you have the base for a creamy, fresh and bright dip/sauce/dressing that elevates every meal.
This is THE best recipe for Tzatiki.
It is really thick and creamy. Actually, I use Siggi’s Icelandic yogurt– it is really thick and has very low sugar. I strain the yogurt and squeeze the water out of the cucumber to avoid a watery sauce- do not skip this step.
Typically, I make this sauce and grill chicken, peppers and serve everything on pita bread with even more vegetables. Think of Tzatiki as a Greek style Taco Tuesday night- but super healthy.
Add anything to your gyro/pita- olives, tomatoes, roasted chick peas, tapenade, cucumber, feta. All those amazing Greek foods that are so good for you.
To make Tzatiki, take plain Greek yogurt and place 2 cups in a fine mesh strainer for 30 minutes to drain out even more water. It is really important you use thick Greek Yogurt.
Grate a medium cucumber with the large holes of your box grater. Wrap the cucumber shreds in cheese cloth or a clean dish towel and squeeze out all the water. There is a ton of water in cucmbers.
To the thickened yogurt and cucumber, add lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped mint or flat leaf parsley (dill would be great), 2 chopped garlic cloves and a drizzle of olive oil over the top. Chill and serve with your grilled meats and veggies on warm pita bread.
Healthy.
Easy.
Yummy.
Tzatiki Sauce- give it a try tonight.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain Greek or Icelandic Yogurt
- 1 unit medium cucumber peeled
- 1 TBSP lemon juice
- 1 TBSP lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 2 TBSP flat leaf parsley finely chopped
- 2 TBSP mint finely chopped
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Place yogurt into a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and let sit for 30 minutes. You will see about 1- 2 teaspoons of water strain from the yogurt.
- Peel the cucumber. Using the large holes in a box grater, grate the cucumber. Place grated cucumber in a piece of cheese cloth and tightly squeeze all the water of out- as if you were wringing out a towel. Place cucumber and the strained yogurt into a medium sized bowl.
- To the yogurt, add in the remaining ingredients up to the olive oil. Mix well. Check for seasonings and add more salt if needed. Place into a decorative serving bowl and chill. Just before serving, drizzle about 2 tsp of olive oil over the sauce.
