Creamy Tzatziki
Stir together creamy tzatziki with Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, and lemon for a cool Greek-style dip to serve with vegetables or pita.
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 0 min
- Total time
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6

Tzatziki brings a cool, tangy note to grilled food or a basket of pita. Thick Greek yogurt keeps this version creamy, and grated cucumber adds freshness. Squeezing the cucumber is especially useful because excess moisture can thin even thick yogurt. A short chill lets garlic and dill settle into the mixture. The batch makes six modest dip portions and can be prepared ahead.
Creamy Tzatziki
Serves 6 · Prep 15 min · Cook 0 min · Rest 40 min · Total 55 min
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
- Toss cucumber with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a strainer over a bowl. Leave for 10 minutes to drain.
- Transfer cucumber to a clean towel and squeeze firmly over the sink until it stops dripping freely.
- Stir yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, and remaining salt together until evenly combined.
- Fold in squeezed cucumber, breaking up clumps. Scrape the bowl and stir again to distribute everything.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes at 40°F (4°C) or below. Stir before serving six dip portions.
A few kitchen notes
- Choose unsweetened yogurt for savory flavor.
- Fine garlic distributes without leaving sharp chunks.
Ingredient substitutions
- Replace dill with the same amount of chopped fresh mint.
Storage & reheating
Keep covered at 40°F (4°C) or below for 3 days. Return to refrigeration within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Stir slight separation; avoid freezing.
What to serve with it
Serve with pita, carrots, and grilled vegetables.
Comments & kitchen questions
Have a question, a useful substitution, or a result to share? Your feedback helps us make this recipe clearer and more useful.
Questions from the kitchen
Can I make Creamy Tzatziki ahead?
Keep covered at 40°F (4°C) or below for 3 days. Return to refrigeration within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Stir slight separation; avoid freezing.
What if I can’t find an ingredient?
Replace dill with the same amount of chopped fresh mint.
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