Tzatziki is a refreshing and versatile Greek yogurt-based sauce or dip, perfect for pairing with grilled meats, vegetables, or as a spread for sandwiches. Here's how you can make it at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240ml) Greek yogurt (full-fat for richer taste)
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded and grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped (you can also use mint or a combination of both)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cucumber: After grating the cucumber, squeeze out the excess water. You can do this by wrapping the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeezing tightly. This step is crucial to avoid a watery tzatziki.
2. Mix the Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and finely chopped dill. Mix everything together until well combined.
3. Season: Add salt and black pepper to taste. The amount of seasoning can vary depending on your preference, so start with a little and adjust as needed.
4. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the tzatziki to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. For best results, let it sit overnight.
5. Serve: Give the tzatziki a good stir before serving. It can be served as a dip with pita bread, vegetables, or as a sauce for grilled meats and gyros.
6. Garnish (optional): Before serving, you can drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top and sprinkle some additional dill or mint for garnish.
Tips:
For a thicker tzatziki, use strained yogurt or let regular yogurt strain through a cheesecloth set over a bowl in the fridge for a few hours to remove excess water.
Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste. Start with one clove and add more if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor.
If the tzatziki is too thick for your liking, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little bit of water or olive oil.
Enjoy your homemade tzatziki with your favorite dishes!
