Best 4 Tzatziki Creamy Mediterranean Cucumber Meze Recipes

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Tzatziki, a beloved Mediterranean meze, is a refreshing and flavorful dish that adds a burst of tangy coolness to any meal. With its origins in Greece, this creamy cucumber dip has become a staple in various cuisines, captivating taste buds with its delightful blend of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs. Whether served as an appetizer, a side dish, or a versatile condiment, tzatziki's versatility makes it an indispensable culinary creation, ready to elevate your culinary adventures. Its simple yet harmonious ingredients create a symphony of flavors, making it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or simply enjoyed with pita bread or fresh vegetables.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

MEDITERRANEAN FLAVORS: TZATZIKI RECIPE



Mediterranean Flavors: Tzatziki Recipe image

You only need to follow a recipe once or twice when making tzatziki before the process becomes almost automatic. Thick tangy yogurt; crisp, sweet cucumber; pungent garlic and dill; sunny lemon. The formula, a staging ground for countless dip platters and a condiment for the thousands of gyros dished up daily, is as familiar to us now as salsa and ketchup. And its preparation is about as intuitive-recipes matter less than solid ingredients and a willingness to dip a tasting finger along the way.

Provided by Max Falkowitz

Categories     Side Dish     Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres     Condiments and Sauces

Time 40m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound of cucumbers, ends removed and sliced lengthwise (6 "baby" cucumbers)
2 cups of strained yogurt (Greek or otherwise)
4 cloves of garlic, minced fine
1 large handful of dill, minced
Juice of one lemon

Steps:

  • With a teaspoon, scoop out the seeds of the cucumbers. You should be left with a neat half-moon shape. Slice them thin, but not paper-thin-they should still have some crunch.
  • Add the cucumbers to a mixing bowl along with the rest of the ingredients. Taste for acid and seasoning, then either serve, or (preferably) cover and let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 33 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 15 mg, Sugar 2 g, Fat 0 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE



Tzatziki Sauce Recipe image

Creamy Greek Tztaziki Sauce recipe with cucumber, yogurt, and garlic. Add a tablespoon or two of fresh dill or mint, if you like. Do not skip draining the cucumbers or your yogurt dip will be too watery. And for best texture, cover and refrigerate anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours before serving. This versatile cucumber yogurt sauce can be used in many ways, be sure to read my post for all the ideas!

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Dips and Appetizers

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 English cucumber, (partially peeled (striped) and sliced )
1 tsp kosher salt (divided)
4 to 5 garlic cloves,
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tbsp Early Harvest Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
Warm pita bread for serving
Sliced vegetables for serving

Steps:

  • Use a box grater to manually grate the cucumbers or you can use a small food processor to finely chop the cucumbers as I do in this recipe. Toss the grated cucumbers with 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Spoon the grated cucumber into a cheese cloth or a double thickness napkin and squeeze dry. (There will be a lot of liquid).
  • In one large mixing bowl, place the garlic with remaining 1/2 tsp salt, white vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to combine.
  • Add the grated cucumber to the bowl with the garlic mixture. Stir in the yogurt, and a pinch of white or black pepper, and the fresh herbs (if using. I did not use fresh herbs in the video). Stir to combine well.
  • Cover and refrigerate for a bit (anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours before serving). This will help thicken the sauce and give it the best texture, while allowing the flavors to meld.
  • When ready to serve, stir the tzatziki sauce to refresh and transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Serve with your favorite veggies, pita chips or wedges (be sure to read the post for more ideas on how to use this sauce)!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 16.3 kcal, Sugar 0.7 g, Sodium 78.7 mg, Fat 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Carbohydrate 1 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.5 g, Cholesterol 0.8 mg, UnsaturatedFat 0.4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

AUTHENTIC GREEK TZATZIKI



Authentic Greek Tzatziki image

This is a lovely, cool, refreshing Greek tzatziki dip that I first tasted and fell in love with in the Greek Islands. It is lovely with hot toasted pita bread and veggies or lamb kebabs! The key is strain the liquid from the cucumber very well so the dip stays creamy and not watery and to always use thick, full-fat Greek yogurt. Low-fat versions won't cut it. Enjoy!

Provided by Anonymous

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
1 large cucumber
salt to taste
1 (17.6 ounce) container full fat plain Greek yogurt (such as FAGE Total®)

Steps:

  • Stir together olive oil, vinegar, and garlic in a bowl and let sit while you prepare the cucumber.
  • Peel cucumber and cut in half lengthways; scrape out all the seeds. Grate cucumber with a cheese grater into a sieve set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Strain out as much liquid as possible by pressing down in the sieve with the palm of your hand. Alternately you can wring cucumber out in a clean tea towel. Add cucumber and yogurt to the garlic mixture. Mix until well combined and season with salt to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 197.1 calories, Carbohydrate 5.6 g, Cholesterol 18.8 mg, Fat 17.4 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.4 g, Sodium 81.2 mg, Sugar 4.1 g

MOLLY'S MOUTHWATERING TZATZIKI CUCUMBER SAUCE



Molly's Mouthwatering Tzatziki Cucumber Sauce image

I whipped this up the other night after a fierce craving for a gyro struck me and I was finding a lot of recipes that weren't quite what I was looking for. I wanted a creamier version of tzatziki. I put it on a tortilla with shredded chicken, cheddar, green leaf lettuce and lots of tomatoes and feta. It was sooo good I was eating it by the spoonful! You can play around with adding a little more mayo or sour cream, as my measurements may not have been exact.

Provided by Molly Kooiman Barber

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Tzatziki

Time 15m

Yield 22

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 large cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Chop the cucumber in a food processor until nearly liquefied; strain through a piece of cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, being careful to not over-drain and lose too much of the fresh flavor.
  • Mix the cucumber, yogurt, garlic, sour cream, and mayonnaise together in a bowl; season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 49.2 calories, Carbohydrate 1.4 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 26.1 mg, Sugar 0.8 g

Tips:

  • Use a high-quality yogurt. Greek yogurt is a great option because it's thick and creamy.
  • Make sure the cucumber is well-drained. This will prevent the tzatziki from being watery.
  • Add the garlic and herbs to taste. You can start with a small amount and add more until you reach the desired flavor.
  • Let the tzatziki chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve the tzatziki with pita bread, vegetables, or grilled meat.

Conclusion:

Tzatziki is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of ways. It's perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling. It's also a great addition to sandwiches, wraps, and salads. If you're looking for a simple and flavorful sauce to add to your next meal, give tzatziki a try. You won't be disappointed.

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