Best 4 Chef Johns Tzatziki Sauce Recipes

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If you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful dip or sauce to add a Mediterranean flair to your meals, look no further than Chef John's tzatziki sauce. This classic Greek yogurt-based sauce is easy to make and can be served with a variety of dishes, from grilled meats and vegetables to pita bread and chips. Made with creamy Greek yogurt, crisp cucumbers, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon juice, this sauce is sure to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sun-soaked shores of Greece.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GYRO MEAT WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE



Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce image

Follow Alton Brown's Food Network recipe to make Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce at home; the creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce goes perfectly with ground lamb.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 medium onion, finely chopped or shredded
2 pounds ground lamb
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried marjoram
1 tablespoon dried ground rosemary
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Tzatziki Sauce, recipe follows
16 ounces plain yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
Pinch kosher salt
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
5 to 6 mint leaves, finely minced

Steps:

  • Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
  • Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.
  • To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows:
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese.
  • To cook on a rotisserie, proceed as follows:
  • Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place on top of 2 overlapping pieces of plastic wrap that are at least 18 inches long. Roll the mixture in the plastic wrap tightly, making sure to remove any air pockets. Once the meat is completely rolled in the wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap until the surface of the wrap is tight. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up.
  • Preheat the grill to high.
  • Place the meat onto the rotisserie skewer. Place a double-thick piece of aluminum foil folded into a tray directly under the meat to catch any drippings. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F. Turn off the heat and allow to continue to spin for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
  • Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups

TZATZIKI



Tzatziki image

Greek yogurt's thicker texture eliminates the need to drain yogurt in cheesecloth as most commonly seen in tzatziki recipes. Wringing out the moisture from your cucumber ensures that the tzatziki stays thick and creamy. We chose fresh dill and mint over dried to provide the brightest flavor possible.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     condiment

Time 15m

Yield about 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 medium English cucumber
1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, grated
Juice of 1 lemon, about 3 tablespoons
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped

Steps:

  • Line a strainer with a clean kitchen towel and place over a bowl. Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the cucumbers and toss together by hand. Put the salted cucumber into the towel lined strainer and let sit for 10 minutes. Use the kitchen towel to squeeze out any remaining moisture.
  • Stir the cucumber, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Gently fold in the dill and mint. Serve drizzled with more olive oil.

GREEK CHICKEN SOUVLAKI



Greek Chicken Souvlaki image

From " A Spicy Perspective" online recipe conversation. What a delicious way to use some of those lemons weighing down the tree! It was a big hit with my writing group's hungry Board members!

Provided by Vicki Kaye

Categories     Summer

Time 40m

Yield 10 Skewers, 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
3 lemons, juicy
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
parsley and crushed red pepper flakes (to garnish)
1 cup Greek yogurt, plain
1 cup cucumber, shredded
1 lemon, zested
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon dill, chopped, fresh

Steps:

  • Place 8-10 wooden skewers in a shallow pan of water to soak before grilling. Soak 30 minutes.
  • Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice from one lemon. Add the olive oil, garlic, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Toss and let the chicken marinade for 20-30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a second bowl mix the ingredients for the Tzatziki sauce. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir well, then put in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Pre-heat the grill to medium heat. Slice the remaining lemons into thin rounds. Slide 7-8 pieces of chicken onto each skewer with a folded lemon slice in between every 2 to 3 chunks. Once all the skewers are ready, grill them for 5 minutes per side, 10 minutes total. Be careful that the wooden skewers are not resting directly on the grill.
  • Break open one chicken chunk to test for doneness.
  • Serve the chicken and the tzatziki sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 429.3, Fat 27.8, SaturatedFat 6.3, Cholesterol 116.2, Sodium 232.8, Carbohydrate 6.3, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 1.6, Protein 38.7

OUR FAVORITE TZATZIKI SAUCE



Our Favorite Tzatziki Sauce image

This is great on gyros, sandwiches, or served as a dip with crudites. If you do not have Greek yogurt, you can use the following substitute: Recipe #270949 The result will be a thickened yogurt that can be substituted for the Greek yogurt. (Note: cooking time listed is the refrigeration time.)

Provided by swissms

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h5m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup Greek yogurt (see note above) or 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt (see note above)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 English cucumber, chopped into 1/4-inch dice
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, sour cream, cucumber, dill, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 22.7, Fat 2, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 4.2, Sodium 102.2, Carbohydrate 0.9, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.2, Protein 0.4

Tips:

  • Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Grate the cucumber finely so that it doesn't overwhelm the other flavors.
  • Squeeze the cucumber well to remove excess moisture.
  • Use full-fat Greek yogurt for a creamy, tangy sauce.
  • Add garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Let the sauce chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve the sauce with grilled or roasted meats, vegetables, or pita bread.

Conclusion:

Tzatziki sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be enjoyed in many different ways. With its creamy, tangy, and refreshing flavor, it's a perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or simply looking for a healthy and flavorful dip, tzatziki sauce is sure to please.

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