Tzatziki
Homemade tzatziki brightens up any meal! This vegan version is tangy, refreshing, garlicky, and full of bright lemon flavour. Use it as a dip or drizzle it over falafel, gyros, and more!
Tzatziki is a creamy, delicious condiment used in Mediterranean cuisine, but once you give it a try, you’ll want to put it on all the things! The good news is that you totally can because not only is tzatziki easy to make, it’s also one of the rare creamy sauces that’s actually good for you.
What makes it so healthy? Tzatziki is made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. The combination is creamy, cool, and tangy, and it’s just as good as a veggie dip as it is for drizzling over Crispy Homemade Falafel.
Why You’ll Love This Tzatziki Recipe
Here’s what makes this tzatziki recipe a must-make:
- Versatile. There are so many ways to use tzatziki! Once you give it a try, you’ll want to keep this on hand in the fridge at all times. I share some of my favourite ideas below.
- Delicious. With its creamy texture and perfect balance of flavours, tzatziki is absolutely delectable. It adds bright flavour to anything you add it to!
- Easy. Whip up this vegan tzatziki in a matter of minutes. After you grate the cucumber, it’s simply a matter of stirring everything together.
- Vegan. My tzatziki recipe is made with plant-based Greek yogurt, so it’s dairy-free!
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Cucumbers – Grate the cucumbers with a box grater or use your food processor.
- Vegan Greek yogurt – You’ll want to use Greek yogurt because it’s thicker.
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best!
- Garlic – Garlic adds loads of flavour to tzatziki.
How to Make Tzatziki
Here’s how easy it is to make your own tzatziki at home!
- Strain the cucumbers. Wrap the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze it over the sink to remove the excess liquid.
- Combine. Place the cucumbers in a mixing bowl, then add the remaining ingredients and stir.
- Chill. Refrigerate the tzatziki for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
Tips for Success
There’s really not much to this tzatziki recipe, but these additional tips will help you make sure it turns out perfect.
- Finely grate the cucumber. Tzatziki is a sauce (or dip), so you don’t want big chunks of cucumber in it! Grate it finely so it incorporates easily into the yogurt.
- Drain the cucumber well. If there’s too much liquid in your cucumber, you’ll end up with thin, watery tzatziki. Squeeze the cucumber as much as you can, until there’s no more water dripping out from the towel.
- Don’t skip the chilling time. Your tzatziki will taste so much better after 30 minutes in the fridge. All the flavours really come together.
What Do You Eat Tzatziki Dip With?
Tzatziki dip is a delicious accompaniment to many dishes, from my Vegan Beet Falafel to Vegan Tempeh Gyros and Vegan Kofta. Tzatziki can also be used to top salads, mixed into grain bowls or added wraps for an extra boost of flavour. And of course, it’s an excellent dip for vegetables and pita chips.
Variations
If you’d like, you can add fresh herbs to tzatziki. Minced mint, dill, or parsley add some herbaceous flavour to the mix. For a more mellow garlic flavour, swap the fresh garlic for a whole head of Air Fryer Roasted Garlic.
How to Store
Tzatziki should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 3 days. Make sure to give it a good stir before serving, as the ingredients may separate over time.
Can You Freeze Tzatziki?
You can freeze tzatziki for up to 2 months, although it’s definitely best enjoyed fresh. Transfer it into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, let the sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir it before serving.
More Vegan Sauce and Dip Recipes
- How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Vegan Whipped Feta Dip
- Perfect Homemade Hummus
- Thai Peanut Sauce
- Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Enjoy friends! If you make this vegan tzatziki recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Tzatziki
Ingredients
- ½ cup grated cucumbers
- 1 cup vegan greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Place the grated cucumber on a towel and wrap the towel around it. Squeeze out all the excess liquid that you can.
- In a bowl, mix the squeezed grated cucumbers with the yogurt, sea salt, ground black pepper, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Let the mix set together for at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the flavours to meld together, then serve with some pita chips and veggies. Enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
What brand vegan Greek yogurt would you recommend
Hi Regina,
I use Siggi’s!! Enjoy!
Yum! What brands of vegan yogurt do you recommend?
Hi Erin,
I use Siggi’s for this!!
Delicious! so simple and so refreshing in these summer months.
Thanks so much Ruth!!
what happens to the flavor profile if I pull the oil out of the Tzatziki recipe?? (plant based NO oil )
Hi Jake,
It’s only a tablespoon so it’ll still taste good without it! Enjoy!
I just made another batch for an early dinner today during this very warm weather
So happy to hear you’re enjoying this so much Ruth!! Thank you soo much for this amazing review and enjoy!!