Simple Delicious Yogurt Sauce- Tzatziki

I think kids’ food preferences (or should I say non-preferences) is one of  the many battles that us family-chefs need to fight constantly. What would you say if I told you that my oldest son cannot stand the taste of yogurt but goes nuts on tzatziki (whose main ingredient is yogurt)? I personally gave up trying to figure it out, but I do try to always have tzatziki on hand for obvious reasons!

mint plant in pot

So this famous Greek Tzatziki sauce, which is a family favorite, is always served with souvlaki or gyros. You can also have it with baked potatoes, all kinds of meats and why not as a dip for vegetables!!

It is worth mentioning here that there is a debate on whether mint or dill is better for tzatziki. Well, my personal preference is definitely mint! One reason being that I always have it on hand – either fresh from the garden (most homes in Cyprus have fresh mint!) or dried in a jar! It is such as easy herb to grow here and so we are used to its flavor!

Tip #1: It is best to prepare the sauce beforehand and have it in the refrigerator so that flavors have a chance to blend.

Simple delicious yogurt sauce

• Time: 15 mins
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

A traditional Greek sauce made with yogurt and cucumber.

Ingredients

• 200 gr. (7 oz) Greek (strained) yogurt
• 1 medium cucumber
• half tsp garlic minced
• 1 tbs white vinegar
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs dried mint
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Peel (if your cucumber is not organic) and roughly grate the cucumber in a bowl.
2. Add a pinch of salt to the grated cucumber, give it a stir and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. In the meantime, in another bowl, add the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and mint and give it a good stir.
4. Drain the grated cucumber by squeezing it with your hands and add it to the yogurt mix. Stir the mixture well.
5. Add salt and pepper to suit your taste.
6. Enjoy!

P.S. Just for the record, tzatziki might be a Greek traditional dish, but we do use here in Cyprus as well, and of course we have a different – Cypriot- name for it: TTALATTOURI!