Chef John's Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki sauce is an incredibly refreshing and delicious dip or side dish that's easy to make with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon, and herbs.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 49 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 large English cucumber, peeled and grated
• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 sprig fresh dill for garnish
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper for garnish
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 lemon, juiced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Sprinkle grated cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and let stand 10 to 15 minutes to draw out juice.

Step 2

Place yogurt into a separate bowl. Dump cucumber and its juice onto a sturdy, dry paper or cloth towel and squeeze as much moisture as possible from the cucumber. Mix cucumber into yogurt. Add garlic, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice; mix thoroughly.

Step 3

Stir dill and mint into yogurt-cucumber mixture; season with salt and black pepper. Adjust all seasonings to taste.

Step 4

For best results, cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprig of dill and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for color.