• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Winter Recipes
Kitchen Skip
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Winter Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Substack
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Winter Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Substack
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

    Published: Jun 6, 2020 · Modified: Jun 15, 2023 by Jenny Meier

    Jump to Recipe

    A cool and creamy cucumber yogurt sauce made with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, grated cucumber and fresh herbs.

    Also known as tzatziki, this chilled sauce is great with salmon, pita bread, yogurt flatbread, grilled chicken, roasted potatoes and raw veggies.

    a bowl of greek yogurt with shredded cucumber and herbs

    This lemony yogurt sauce (or dip!) is an easy way to perk up dinner. My favorite time of year for cucumber yogurt sauce is summer, preferably while eating outdoors with a glass of chilled rosé in hand!

    Yogurt + grated cucumber makes this sauce both creamy and light. Don't be stingy with the salt and garlic, and add plenty of fresh herbs. I usually add two types of herbs, dill and mint, but this yogurt sauce is also delicious with parsley or basil.

    My favorite food to serve with this yogurt sauce is Mediterranean grilled chicken.

    For another chilled sauce option, try this similar recipe for Tzatziki with sour cream.

    You should also try horseradish aioli, which is a zippy, creamy sauce that has a slightly spicy kick.

    Ingredients

    ingredients in this recipe

    Yogurt: Greek yogurt works best for this recipe because it's thick and creamy. Full-fat tastes best. You can use low or non-fat, but it will be tangier and less creamy.

    Cucumber: Persian cucumbers have very few seeds and are less watery than other cucumber varieties, which make Persians a great choice for this sauce. You can use other types of cucumbers, but should scoop out the seeds before grating the cucumber.

    Lemon: Adds bright, bold flavor

    Fresh herbs: Dill and mint are a classic choice, but this sauce can also be made with basil or parsley. Use one type of fresh herb or blend two.

    Garlic: One clove adds noticeable flavor, but you can add more if you love garlic. Make sure the garlic is very finely chopped so it blends into the sauce. A garlic press works well.

    Salt: Just a pinch brings out the savory flavor of cucumber sauce.

    How to Make Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

    This sauce is a cinch to make!

    cucumber grated on a box grater

    Step 1: Use a box grater to grate the cucumber.

    grated cucumber added to a bowl of yogurt

    Step 2: Mix grated cucumber into Greek yogurt.

    grated cucumber, lemon and garlic added to Greek yogurt

    Step 3: Add lemon, garlic and salt.

    fresh herbs added to a bowl of yogurt

    Step 4: Gently mix in fresh herbs, like dill and mint. You can serve the sauce immediately or make it a few hours ahead of time so the flavors blend more.

    For exact measurements and instructions, see the recipe card below.

    FAQ

    Are cucumber yogurt sauce and tzatziki the same thing?

    Yes. The only difference is that tzatziki usually adds olive oil. Tzatziki is a sauce that originated from Southeastern Europe and Middle Eastern cuisines.

    Can I make tzatziki without cucumber?

    Without cucumber, this is just savory yogurt, which actually still tastes pretty great! Make sure to add plenty of fresh herbs and garlic if you're skipping the cucumber. If you're looking for a creamy sauce without cucumber, you might also want to try horseradish aioli.

    Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

    Greek yogurt works best because the consistency is thick. Regular yogurt will give the sauce a very runny consistency.

    Do I have to use dill?

    No, you can use any of your favorite fresh herbs. Try mint, parsley or basil.

    Serving Suggestions

    A creamy yogurt sauce can be served with hot food or with cold food. It makes simple dinners just a little bit fancier. Serve yogurt sauce with:

    • Grilled or roasted chicken (try kefir marinated Greek chicken breasts)
    • Salmon
    • Pan-seared shrimp
    • Roasted or grilled veggies
    • Roasted potatoes
    • Raw veggies
    • Pita chips or potato chips
    • Vegetarian Shawarma wrapped in pita bread
    • Meatballs (especially lamb and turkey meatballs)

    More Delicious Dips and Sauces

    • battered shrimp on a plate with a bowl of red creamy sauce in the middle
      Bang Bang Sauce
    • a bowl of red creamy sauce on a plate with french fries
      5-Ingredient Boom Boom Sauce
    • a bowl of sriracha aioli surrounded by sweet potato fries
      4-Ingredient Sriracha Aioli
    • a small glass bowl of spinach basil pesto next to slices of baguette
      Spinach Pesto
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    Cucumber Yogurt Sauce Recipe

    a bowl of yogurt with shredded cucumber, herbs and lemon
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Cool and creamy cucumber yogurt sauce is an easy sauce to serve with grilled meat or salmon, roasted and raw vegetables, pita bread and pita chips. 

    I usually make cucumber yogurt sauce with dill and mint, but it’s also fantastic with fresh basil or parsley. 

    • Author: Jenny Meier | Kitchen Skip blog
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Total Time: 10
    • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Side Dishes
    • Method: Stir
    • Cuisine: Greek
    • Diet: Vegetarian

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (I prefer full-fat)
    • ¾ cup grated unpeeled cucumber (about 2 Persian cucumbers*)
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 garlic clove, grated or finely chopped
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
    • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh dill
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)

    *You can use a regular cucumber, but first cut the cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. 

    Instructions

    1. Use the largest holes on a box grater (cheese grater) to grate the cucumber.
    2. In a medium bowl, mix together the yogurt and cucumber. 
    3. Add lemon juice, garlic and salt. 
    4. Stir in the fresh herbs.

    Notes

    This sauce will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Water will separate from the yogurt, so mix well before serving. 

    Please rate and review this recipe!

    Your reviews help other readers. They also help me provide the best recipes possible. Thanks!

    More Delicious Recipes

    • A bowl of spinach and kale salad tossed in a creamy miso tahini dressing.
      Kale and Spinach Salad with Miso Tahini Dressing
    • A bowl of grated cabbage and carrot coleslaw.
      Miso Slaw
    • Two sweet potatoes on a plate topped with butter mashed with white miso paste.
      Miso Butter Sweet Potatoes
    • A Dutch oven filled with ground beef and white beans in sauce.
      Baked Beans with Ground Beef

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Jen

      January 05, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      I love this easy sauce with chicken and salmon. Also with roasted vegetables!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Kitchen Skip foodblogger and recipe developer Jenny Meier

    Hi, I'm Jenny!

    I'm a food blogger with a culinary degree and a busy Mama of two who now works full-time in education. I create easy dinner recipes for busy parents like you!

    More About Me

    Spring Recipes

    • A piece of cod on a plate with panko baked on top, surrounded by peas
      Panko Crusted Cod with Creme Fraiche Sauce

    • a plate of cooked asparagus
      Oven Roasted Asparagus

    • a bowl of quinoa salad with kale
      Easy & Healthy Quinoa Salad

    • a plate of asparagus drizzled in balsamic glaze
      Balsamic Glazed Instant Pot Asparagus

    • a bowl of chicken salad with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and croutons
      BLT Chicken Salad with Creme Fraiche Dressing

    • a bowl of orzo with canned tuna and herbs
      Tuna and Orzo Pasta Salad

    Popular Recipes

    • bowl of cooked black lentils
      How to Cook Black Lentils (Instant Pot & Stove)

    • bowl of white bean soup
      Instant Pot White Bean Soup

    • sliced kielbasa sausage in a skillet
      How to Cook Kielbasa

    • Cucumber Shrimp Salad

    • bowl of cooked rice noodles
      How to Cook Rice Noodles

    • a bowl of mini shell pasta with cooked frozen vegetables
      Pasta with Frozen Mixed Vegetables

    Footer

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP
    for easy dinner recipes

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    List of online sites that have featured this food blog.

    ^ back to top

    Images and text copyright Jenny Meier in 2024. Do not repost images or recipes without requesting permission

    Copyright © 2024 on the Feast Plugin