By Becky Hardin
Published Jan 11, 2024
Tzatziki Dip is a creamy, tangy Greek appetizer that’s as refreshing as it is delicious! The Greek yogurt base is enhanced by fresh and flavorful ingredients like shredded cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Serve this addictive dip at your next party and watch it disappear!
What’s in This Tzatziki Dip Recipe?
- Cucumber: Grated cucumber adds freshness and crunch to the dip.
- Greek Yogurt: While we recommend full-fat Greek yogurt, you can use whatever Greek yogurt you have on hand!
- Lemon: Cuts the richness of the dip. Avoid using bottled lemon juice. It doesn’t have the right amount of acidity and the flavor isn’t nearly as good as the real deal!
- Olive Oil: Gives the dip body.
- Fresh Herbs: Dill and parsley add fresh herbal flavor to the dip.
- Garlic: Grated garlic adds an herbal flavor and a bit of bite to the dip.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the dip.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
For an ultra-creamy tzatziki dip, substitute some or all of the Greek yogurt for sour cream.
Variations on Greek Tzatziki Dip
This classic dip is so delicious as is, but you can amp it up by adding some fresh mint. For a spicy take, try adding crushed red pepper flakes. Or for an umami twist, blend some roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes into the dip.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ cups shredded cucumber (from 1 cucumber)
- ▢ 2 cups plain Greek yogurt unsweetened
- ▢ 1 lemon juiced
- ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- ▢ 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley minced
- ▢ 1 clove garlic grated
- ▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spread the shredded cucumber out over a few paper towels and sprinkle over a pinch of kosher salt (about ½ teaspoon). Top with a few more paper towels and press out any excess liquid. 1½ cups shredded cucumber
- Add the cucumber to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients (greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, dill parsley, and garlic). Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper, to taste. 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley, 1 clove garlic, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Becky’s Tips
- For an ultra-creamy tzatziki dip, substitute some or all of the Greek yogurt for sour cream.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Serving Suggestions
- As a dip , serve tzatziki with fresh veggies, pita chips, homemade french fries , pizza sticks , or chicken wings .
- As a spread , dollop tzatziki on burgers , BLT sandwiches , a fresh Greek salad , or baked potatoes .
- As a sauce , serve tzatziki with rack of lamb , grilled chicken breast , or air fryer salmon .
How to Make Tzatziki Dip Step by Step
Drain the Cucumber: Spread 1½ cups of shredded cucumber out over a few paper towels and sprinkle over a pinch of kosher salt (about ½ teaspoon). Top with a few more paper towels and press out any excess liquid.
Make the Dip: Add the drained cucumber to a large bowl with 2 cups of plain Greek yogurt, the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon of minced fresh parsley, and 1 minced clove of garlic. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
How to Store
Store leftover tzatziki dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve cold or let sit for a few minutes at room temperature to soften. I do not recommend freezing this dip!
Tzatziki is a yogurt-based dip made with cucumbers, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs. It is traditionally made with goat or sheep’s yogurt, but Greek yogurt is much more accessible.
Tzatziki dip is creamy, light, and refreshing. It is a bit crunchy from the cucumbers and has a garlicky herbal taste.
Yes! This dip is low-calorie, low-fat, and made with fresh and healthy ingredients.
While I think that full-fat Greek yogurt yields the creamiest dip, you can use any Greek yogurt you like, so long as it is unflavored and unsweetened.
Nope! For an ultra-creamy tzatziki dip, substitute some or all of the Greek yogurt for sour cream.
MoreCold Dip RecipesTo Try
- Boursin Cheese
- Pepper Jelly Dip
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip
- Buffalo Chickpea Dip
Tzatziki Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups shredded cucumber (from 1 cucumber)
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt unsweetened
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley minced
- 1 clove garlic grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spread the shredded cucumber out over a few paper towels and sprinkle over a pinch of kosher salt (about ½ teaspoon). Top with a few more paper towels and press out any excess liquid. 1½ cups shredded cucumber
- Add the cucumber to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients (greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, dill parsley, and garlic). Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper, to taste. 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley, 1 clove garlic, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Notes
- For an ultra-creamy tzatziki dip, substitute some or all of the Greek yogurt for sour cream.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
