Tzatziki Dip
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This Tzatziki Dip is a creamy cucumber greek yogurt sauce that is often found on gyros. What’s special about this version, is we’re using leftover Creamy Cucumber Salad for a spin on the classic. Easily work this recipe into your meal plan.
Step 1 Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad
This Creamy Cucumber Salad recipe from The Cooking Jar is the perfect side dish to bring to summer parties. But what happens with the leftovers? Read on to transform them into a totally different dish to share!
Fresh from the Garden
Cucumbers, much like zucchini, grow easily in most beginner gardens. And while cucumbers with salt sprinkled on top are the perfect summer snack, you may find yourself with so many that you need to use them in multiple recipes.
The Homeschool Meal Plan
One of my favorite things to do with homeschooling is to look at the ingredients we have and research the history or cultures behind that ingredient. Cucumbers are one of the main ingredients in Tzatziki sauce, a Greek salted yogurt dip. Funny enough, authentic Tzatziki is made with sheep or goats milk yogurt and not the “Greek” cow’s milk yogurt we see in the United States.
Ingredients Needed
Exact measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- Make this recipe work for you! If you don’t have any cucumber salad, use fresh cucumber. Zucchini can even be used in a pinch.
- If you don’t have 1 cup of Greek yogurt, use 1/2 cup plain yogurt and 1/2 cup sour cream.
Is it authentic?
In short, no. Leftover recipes rarely are. On this site, my goal isn’t to create authentic food to their cultures, but to help you use your food and money wisely in a way that is still delicious.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Start by chopping up the leftover Creamy Cucumber Salad into tiny dip sized pieces.
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
How to store and love your leftovers
- Refrigerate: Leftover dip can be stored in an airtight container for about 3 days.
Use leftovers from this recipe as a base for meatball subs in place of the sauce!
FAQ’s
Greek yogurt is preferred due to the sour taste and thickness. Do not use vanilla yogurt. But in a pinch, you could use plain yogurt for half and sour cream for the other half that the recipe calls for. This will keep the flavor neutral and thicken the dip.
It can be served on a tray with pita chips, crackers, vegetables and cheeses. It can also be served on a meatball sub similar to a gyro. Serve it as a sauce on a flatbread with grilled vegetables and prosciutto for a “Greek Pizza”. Traditionally it is served with gyros or falafels.
No worries! Most cucumber salads you’ll find on the internet are pretty similar. As long as it is mayo or sour cream based, you’ll likely not have any issues. Feel free to ask in the comments or email me and I can give you first hand suggestions.
Use what you have and feel free to add more cucumber. Take a cucumber and dice it, or shred it and squeeze out the excess water. Add the prepared cucumber to the rest of the dip. No worries!
Serve with
- Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe
- Homemade Greek Chicken Gyro Recipe
- Homemade Naan Bread
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If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Tzatziki Dip Recipe
Equipment
- large bowl
- cutting board
- knife
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy cucumber salad leftovers
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (0.96)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (0.42)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (0.10)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (0.02)
- 1/2 teaspoon mint (0.40) fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon dill (0.40) fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (0.08) optional
- juice half a lemon (0.29) plus zest
Instructions
- Chop the leftover Creamy Cucumber Salad into small, bite-sized bits. Shred or dice any extra cucumber you'll be adding.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
