The most well-known dish on any Greek menu – this Tzatziki Meze Dip is a creamy combination of cucumber, garlic and greek yogurt (strained yoghurt).
It’s simple, easy, quick to make and so delicious (or so I’m told)…
I was recently invited into Babs, which is a Mediterranean restaurant in Glasgow for some Behind The Scenes content for my socials.
Their Head Chef, Takis Besiris, is Greek and he wanted to share his Γιαγιά’s (Grandmother’s) recipe for Tzatziki Meze Dip with me whilst I was there.
You can see my Behind the Scene footage here.
Should I admit at this point that I don’t like cucumber? Because I realise I didn’t actually state “I don’t like cucumber” at any point – so I don’t like cucumber.
The irony of that statement on a tzatziki recipe is not lost on me. But of all the Tzatziki Meze Dips that I’ve tried (and I am brave enough to try it), this one was definitely the most tolerable. So if you’re a cucumber lover, that means it MUST be good!
It’ll come as no surprise to anyone that I’m missing out the ‘Why I Love It’ section I have on my other blog posts, ha! If you DO love cucumber however, I can highly recommend Foodie Holly’s Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad, for those of you who need a further cucumber fix!
Family Friendly Recipe
Suitable from 6 months old +
Photo above is a photo of my 1 year olds dinner of which shredded chicken, grain salad and tzatziki.
My only potential amendment would be to omit the salt until you’ve removed the baby’s portion and then add it in for the adults at the end.
Photo above is a photo of my 3 year olds lunchbox which includes Tzatziki as a dip for cruidites.
Can I use salt directly on the cucumber to remove moisture?
To quote the Takis, the Greek chef who taught me this recipe: “if you add salt, it will never stop removing moisture – it just keeps going and going”. So my answer would be no. He said this method is the traditional way – the way his Γιαγιά made it – so that’s what we’re going to do.
Ingredients
Cucumber
Garlic: fresh garlic is preferable, since there are so few elements to this recipe
Vinegar: I was surprised when Takis used malt vinegar, but that it the traditional and authentic Greek selection. If you don’t have malt vinegar, then substitute it for any of your choice (just not balsamic).
Greek Yogurt: also called strained yoghurt, I would definitely opt for 10% fat if you’re wanting that authentic Greek taste. If you’re trying to watch your calories though, then you can substitute it for 5% or even 0% fat.
Salt: I used fine table salt, as sea salt flakes would be too large for this consistency of dip
Pepper: white pepper is my preference, and it also means you don’t see large flakes of black peppercorns throughout the tzatziki meze dip (or crunching on them!)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: this is to add extra depth of flavour and richness, so make sure to pick a good one!
How To Make Authentic Greek Tzatziki Meze
Finely chop garlic clove and add to ramekin with salt & vinegar
Grate cucumber and squeeze out liquid using a fine mesh sieve and your hands (no use of salt on the cucumber directly as it would continue to draw the moisture out until there was none left)
Add Greek yoghurt to cucumber with white pepper – stir through
Finally, add olive oil and mix through the garlic mixture until all combined
Taste, then season more if desired. Serve on a plate with a drizzle of olive oil and dried herbs for garnish.
What Can I Serve With Tzatziki?
Meal options where Authentic Greek Tzatziki Meze can feature include:
Gyros – shredded chicken in a pitta with tzatziki, salad and chips (and some halloumi if you love cheese as much as I do!)
Tzatziki + Crudities – think cucumber, peppers, sugarsnap peas and carrots!
Greek Meze Platter – go all out with a full spread of dips – Babaganoush, Red Pepper Dip, Tirokafteri, Hummus and the all important Tzatziki!
Storage
This dish will store in the fridge for 4 days.
Sadly, since it’s yogurt – it’s gotta be used! But that should be an issue considering how good it is!
And finally…
If you like this recipe, why not try some of my other dips like my Saksuka Turkish Dip or Chunky Guacamole Dip?
If you have any other questions, or want to tell me what you think of my recipe, then please leave a comment below!
Authentic Greek Tzatziki Meze Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 100 g cucumber before grating, it will be a lower weight once water removed
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped
- 2 tsp malt vinegar
- 450 g Greek yoghurt 10% fat
- 7 g salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Finely chop 1 garlic clove and add to ramekin with 7 g salt & 2 tsp malt vinegar, mash down slightly/crush together with a spoon –
- Grate 100 g cucumber and squeeze out liquid using a fine mesh sieve and your hands
- Add 450 g Greek yoghurt to cucumber with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 tsp white pepper then stir to combine
- Finally, mix through the garlic, vinegar and salt mixture
- Taste and season more if desired
3 responses
Fantastic, make it weekly
Easy recipe, max flavour. Saves a fortune on shop bought and miles better.
Amazing, tried this a couple of months back now make it at least once a week, elevates gyros to feel like the real deal!