Ingredients
Base
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 English cucumber
- 1-2 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ bunch fresh dill (finely chopped)
Liquids
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar (total)
Seasonings
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber: Use the large holes of a grater to grate the English cucumber.
- Release cucumber liquids: Place the grated cucumber in a colander set over the sink. Add a pinch of salt and one tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Let it rest for 15 minutes to draw out excess liquid.
- Whisk the yogurt: Lightly whisk the Greek yogurt with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes creamy and smooth.
- Mix vinegar and oil: In a separate bowl, combine the minced garlic, two tablespoons of red wine vinegar, and three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Stir well to blend flavors.
- Squeeze cucumber: Using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth, squeeze the grated cucumber to remove remaining liquid thoroughly.
- Combine cucumber mixture: Add the squeezed cucumber to the bowl with garlic, vinegar, and olive oil, mixing well to combine.
- Add yogurt: Pour the creamy yogurt into the bowl with the cucumber mixture and stir together until fully combined.
- Season and chill: Stir in most of the chopped dill, season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Refrigerate the tzatziki for 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- To achieve a thicker texture, ensure to squeeze out as much liquid from the grated cucumber as possible.
- If you prefer a less garlicky taste, start with one garlic clove and adjust to taste.
- Chilling the tzatziki enhances the flavor, so try to refrigerate it for at least one hour before serving.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest and most authentic texture.
- Fresh dill is essential for the classic tzatziki flavor, but if unavailable, you can substitute with fresh mint or omit.
- Prep Time: 11 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat