Homemade Classic Greek Tzatziki (Gyro Sauce)

Name: Homemade Classic Greek Tzatziki (Gyro Sauce)
Total time: 1800 s
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Greek yogurt, whole milk; 1/2 English cucumber, finely grated (roughly 1/2 to 1 cup); 1-2 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated into a paste; 1 Tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried); 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher salt; 1 Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (Optional)

Þór Jórmundurssón @Icelander_IP

Iceland and Washington DC

Greek cucumber sauce, known as tzatziki, is a creamy, tangy yogurt dip essential for gyros.

Þór Jórmundurssón @Icelander_IP

Iceland and Washington DC

Greek cucumber sauce, known as tzatziki, is a creamy, tangy yogurt dip essential for gyros.

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Ingredients

30 minutes

8 servings

1 cupGreek yogurt, whole milk
1/2English cucumber, finely grated (roughly 1/2 to 1 cup)
1-2 Tablespoonextra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoonfresh lemon juice
1-2 clovesgarlic, finely minced or grated into a paste
1 Tablespoonfresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
1/2 TeaspoonKosher salt
1 Tablespoonfresh mint, chopped (Optional)

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Steps

30 minutes

1

Prep the Cucumber:
--Grate the cucumber using a box grater (no need to peel English cucumbers).
--Place the grated cucumber in a cheesecloth.
--Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and squeeze firmly to remove all liquid. Do this for about 60 seconds.
NOTE: The more moisture removed, the better the sauce.
2

Combine Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill.
3

Mix & Season:
Fold the cucumber into the yogurt mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
4

Chill:
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and merge.
--As in the best revenge, this sauce is best served cold.

Tips

Watery Sauce:
--If the sauce is too thin, strain it again using cheesecloth.

Storage:
--Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Stir right before serving.

Variation:
--We love using fresh mint in our sauce.
--You can use 50/50 Greek yogurt and sour cream for a richer, less tangy sauce.

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Cooksnaps

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Þór Jórmundurssón @Icelander_IP

on March 18, 2026 18:25

Iceland and Washington DC

My name is Þór Jórmundurssón. Pronounced: (Thor Yor-Moon-Der-Son).I am currently performing the daunting process of converting my family's 240 year old recipe archive into English (from Icelandic and a few other Nordic countries) and then converting the ingredients into suitable, modern day replacements and then finally into a single measurement system. I am also converting the traditional cooking methodology into the Instant Pot format. I have been doing this since 2017.I also create original recipes as well as saved some of my closest friends' recipes.100% of my recipes are created/reproduced and then eaten by my very (VERY) food-judgmental family. You are only seeing the best of the best.Góð Matarlyst! (Bon Appétit),Þór (Thor) Jórmundurssón