Chef John's Tzatziki Sauce

I'm going to show you what I think is the best method for making this incredibly delicious Greek yogurt and garlic sauce. One of the world's great snacks, an all-purpose condiment, this is just good on so many things. I serve mine with some homemade pita bread. As always, enjoy!

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

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 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

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

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 or 4 hours (or overnight). Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprig of dill and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for color.