The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Is homemade tzatziki better than store bought? ›

Fresh – Lots of things taste good. But not many things taste fresh like this Greek tzatziki does. It's the yogurt, cucumbers, and dill that really make this sauce so much better than store-bought.

Greeks usually eat tzatziki with bread, it is also used for the famous souvlaki wrapped in a pita and ofcourse in gyros. Almost all Greeks love dipping bread and Greek fries in tzatziki that is served at every traditional restaurant.

Eating tzatziki can help add a variety of healthy nutrients to your daily diet, maintain a robust microbial system, and maintain blood glucose levels. If you suffer from high blood pressure, use tzatziki often as it contains less sodium and carbs than hummus.

This cucumber sauce is easy to make and full of fresh flavor. You don't need any fancy ingredients to make it, just sour cream, garlic, mustard, and some fresh dill. You can serve it after just one hour in the refrigerator, but overnight is recommended.

Tzatziki is a salted yogurt and cucumber dip that's made of strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs. Authentic Greek tzatziki is most often made with sheep or goat yogurt, but my tzatziki recipe calls for regular full-fat Greek yogurt.

Tzatziki sauce should be kept in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator when you're not using it. As long as it's stored properly, you can expect homemade tzatziki to last about three to four days. This will depend on how fresh the yogurt was when you made the sauce.

Tzatziki will last about four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. While you can freeze it, it will change a bit in regards to texture and consistency when it comes time to thawing it out.

Health-wise, tzatziki contains only 54 calories per a 45 gram serving; it also comes with only 8 grams of carbohydrates and a negligible amount of sodium. Which to Pick? If you make your determination based on health concerns, then hummus is clearly the less healthy dip, with high sodium being a particular concern.

Do Greeks eat tzatziki by itself? ›

It is served as a cold appetiser (meze), a side dish, and as a sauce for souvlaki and gyros sandwiches and other foods.

Homemade tzatziki should ideally be consumed within 3-5 days when kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Store-bought varieties may last longer, up to two weeks, due to added preservatives.

If you want to know more about this sauce, here are some historical and fun facts about it. Tzatziki started back in the Ottoman Empire. During this time, India loved their raita, a yogurt-based dip. They were also led by the Persian class, who loved the Indian rice dish called the biryani.

More than any other nation in the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks enjoyed this dish immensely. However, they also experimented with this classic cucumber and yogurt dip until its Indian roots were almost invisible. Tzatziki (derived from the Turkish word cacık) was born.

Tzatziki, though traditionally made with strained sheep's or goat's milk yogurt, often has thick Greek yogurt as a base, per The Mediterranean Dish. On the other hand, raita uses regular yogurt or dahi (also known as Indian yogurt or curd) — depending on the recipe – as the vehicle for aromatic vegetables and spices.

While store-bought tzatziki may be healthy, always look at the label. Be cautious of added sugars, heaps of salt, or unhealthy fats. Pick a brand using simple, fresh ingredients to enjoy tzatziki's health benefits.

Tzatziki sauce should be kept in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator when you're not using it. As long as it's stored properly, you can expect homemade tzatziki to last about three to four days. This will depend on how fresh the yogurt was when you made the sauce.

The Bottom Line. Greek yogurt contains more protein compared to regular yogurt. It's also a good source of calcium and provides probiotics that are good for your gut health. Choose plain Greek yogurt when you can and add yummy toppings on your own, such as nuts and seeds, fruit or even a few chocolate chips.