Greek tzatziki with cucumber, garlic and dill

About this recipe

Tzatziki is a chilled Greek yogurt-and-cucumber dip enjoyed in tavernas and at home, especially alongside souvlaki, grilled vegetables and a shared mezze table. It belongs to a broader Eastern Mediterranean family of yogurt dishes, but Greek tzatziki is deliberately thick rather than soupy. Strained yogurt provides its creamy body; cucumber adds freshness, garlic supplies its characteristic bite, and a little vinegar balances the richness. Different households favor dill, mint or no added herbs, so there is no single universal seasoning. Here finely chopped dill is used sparingly. Salting and thoroughly squeezing the grated cucumber is more important for texture than adding extra yogurt later. Resting the finished dip in the refrigerator allows the garlic to soften and the flavors to meet. Because Greek yogurt is made from milk, this vegetarian recipe contains dairy.