Cucumber Greek Yogurt Tzatziki (Printable View)

Crisp cucumbers blended with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh herbs for a cool, flavorful dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
02 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped

→ Dairy

03 - 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat)

→ Fresh Herbs & Seasonings

04 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (optional)
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

11 - Extra dill or mint leaves
12 - A drizzle of olive oil

# How To Make It:

01 - Place the diced cucumbers in a colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let drain for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
02 - Combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, mint (if using), salt, and pepper in a large bowl or salad shaker jar. Mix until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add the drained cucumbers and red onion to the yogurt mixture. Gently toss or shake until evenly coated.
04 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavors (optional).
06 - Serve chilled, garnished with additional herbs and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • It's creamy and satisfying without any heavy cream or mayo, which somehow feels like you're cheating the system in the best way.
  • Ready in 15 minutes, which means you can go from craving something fresh to actually eating it before the moment passes.
  • Works as a side dish, a light lunch, or even a clever dip when people show up unexpectedly.
02 -
  • Those cucumbers will release water even after you've drained them, so don't make this too far ahead unless you like a thinner salad, which sometimes is exactly what you want.
  • Mincing the garlic finely rather than using a press somehow makes it feel less sharp and more integrated, a detail that might sound silly but genuinely matters.
03 -
  • If your Greek yogurt tastes too tangy, that's actually a sign you've picked a good one, and that tanginess is exactly what makes this recipe sing.
  • Zest a lemon right into the mixture if you want an extra layer of brightness that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
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