This Greek Tzatziki Salad Dressing is a simple, tasty way to add fresh flavor to your salads! Made with creamy Greek yogurt, crunchy cucumber, a splash of lemon, and a hint of herbs. Drizzle it over your favorite salad, mix it with chopped veggies, or even use it as a dip. It’s an easy way to bring a little taste of the Mediterranean to your meals in as little as 10 minutes!
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Just like when making this homemade Mango Chili Sauce, one of the best things about making this Greek Tzatziki Salad Dressing at home is how little time it takes – just about 10 minutes from start to finish. It’s a simple, fresh, and healthier option that’s hard to beat! The beauty is you get the bonus of knowing exactly what’s going into your dressing: homemade means no preservatives or extra ingredients, just fresh cucumber, yogurt, herbs, and lemon. Plus, you are free to choose your preferred Greek yogurt and adjust the flavors to your liking, whether you want it extra garlicky, a little more tangy, or with an extra sprinkle of dill. More on that below.
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Reasons to love this recipe
- It's Quick and Easy: Like this Cilantro Lime Tahini Sauce, it takes just 10 minutes to whip up, perfect for busy days when you want something fresh and flavorful without the hassle.
- Fresh Ingredients: Made with real cucumber, yogurt, garlic, and herbs, it’s free from preservatives and additives found in store-bought dressings.
- It's versatile: It’s more than a salad dressing – use it as a dip for veggies, a spread for wraps, or a sauce for grilled meats.
- A Healthy Choice: Packed with protein from Greek yogurt and low in added fats.
Key Ingredients
- Yogurt: Greek yogurt is ideal because of its thick, creamy texture, which creates a rich and smooth dressing. Full-fat yogurt will give you the richest, creamiest texture. But, you can also use low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt. It will still have a nice thickness.
- Cucumber: Brings a light, refreshing taste and a bit of crunch to the dressing. It also gives a cooling effect, which is part of the classic tzatziki flavor. Choose English or Persian Cucumber. They both have thin skin, very few seeds, and less water content. This makes it easy to grate without peeling and helps keep the dressing thick.
- Lemon Juice: Like in the "Lazy Man's Hollandaise Sauce" in this Broccoli Microgreens Breakfast Sandwich recipe, lemon juice adds a fresh, tangy note that lifts the flavors of the dressing. Also, lemon juice’s acidity can help keep the dressing fresh a bit longer by slowing down the oxidation of the other ingredients.
- Olive Oil: Adds a subtle richness and smoothness to the Tzatziki Salad Dressing. It also brings a hint of fruity, Mediterranean flavor.
- Dill: Adds a fresh, herby flavor and gives the dressing an authentic Mediterranean taste. Overall, fresh dill just makes dishes more aromatic and flavorful without adding overpowering flavors. A little bit of it goes a long way. It's great in our Olivier Salad with Cucumbers, this All Green Salad with Ham, and as garnishment in this Simple Cabbage Soup Recipe.
*** see the recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and quantities
Substitutions and variations
- Yogurt: If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use regular yogurt or sour cream for a creamier texture, though Greek yogurt is preferred for its thickness.
- Dill: Swap fresh dill for fresh mint, oregano, or basil - like we use in this Burrata Bruschetta.
- Lemon: Use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a different type of acidity, if you don’t have lemon.
- Olive Oil: Try avocado oil (like we use in this Citrus Avocado Salad) for a more neutral flavor or extra virgin olive oil for a more robust, fruity taste.
- Make it dairy-free: Use a thick, unsweetened coconut yogurt, almond milk yogurt, or cashew yogurt. Look for one with a similar creamy texture to Greek yogurt. If the plant-based yogurt is too thin, you can strain it a bit to remove excess liquid.
Preparation
STEP 1: Prepare the cucumber
Grate the cucumber, then place it in a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth (I used a paper towel) and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This keeps the dressing thick.
STEP 2: Combine ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Top Tips
- Grate the cucumber and then squeeze out as much liquid as possible to avoid a watery dressing.
- Allow the dressing to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors meld together.
- If you're not a fan of raw garlic's strong flavor, you can roast it beforehand for a milder, sweeter taste.
- If you prefer a tangier dressing, add more lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. If it’s too tangy, balance it out with a bit more olive oil or yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dressing will last about 3-4 days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Yes, you can skip the garlic if you're sensitive to it or prefer a milder flavor. The dressing will still be delicious with just the cucumber, yogurt, and herbs. Alternatively, you can add about ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. It will add a milder, more subtle garlic flavor.
Definitely! You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small amount of crushed red pepper flakes to give it a little heat.
Serving Suggestions
This dressing is so versatile! Use it as a dip for veggies, pita bread, or chips, as a sauce for grilled meats, or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps. We enjoy it with these Pan Seared Salmon with Vegetables. It would also be great with the Empanada Caprese, Puff Pastry Breakfast Roulade, or the Crispy Breakfast Quesadillas, dipped in the dressing. So good!
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Recipe
Greek Tzatziki Salad Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ English cucumber or 1 whole persian cucumber
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice from fresh lemon
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber using a medium box grater, then place it in a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth (I used paper towels) and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This helps keep the dressing thick.½ English cucumber
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Taste and adjust salt, lemon juice, or dill to preference.
Notes
- Grate the cucumber and then squeeze out as much liquid as possible to avoid a watery dressing.
- Allow the dressing to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors meld together.
- If you're not a fan of raw garlic's strong flavor, you can roast it beforehand for a milder, sweeter taste.
- If you prefer a tangier dressing, add more lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. If it’s too tangy, balance it out with a bit more olive oil or yogurt.
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