The Perfect Cheese Pairings For Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki is a delicious Mediterranean dip, condiment, or sauce, depending on how you use it. It is a classic Greek garlic yoghurt sauce made with strained yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and salt. It often includes fresh lemon juice, mint, or dill and is served as an appetizer with fresh pita or vegetables for dipping. Tzatziki can also be used as a dip for grilled meats like chicken and lamb, or as a spread for lamb shawarma, spinach feta turkey burgers, or gyros.

While tzatziki is traditionally made with yoghurt, some recipes substitute this with cottage cheese, creating a low-carb alternative. Tzatziki can also be made with feta cheese, adding a deliciously salty tang to the sauce.

Tzatziki with feta

Ingredients

The key ingredients for tzatziki with feta are:

• Greek yogurt: Use full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the best texture and flavour. Icelandic-style yogurt is another good option.
• Feta cheese: Crumbled feta adds a tangy and salty taste to the tzatziki. Look for feta packed in brine, as you can use the brine to thin out the tzatziki if needed.
• Cucumber: English or hothouse cucumbers are ideal due to their thinner skin and fewer seeds. Baby cucumbers or Persian cucumbers also work well.
• Garlic: One clove is usually enough, but feel free to add more to taste.
• Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavour.
• Herbs: Fresh dill and mint are the most popular choices, but you can also use other herbs like cilantro.

Preparation

To make tzatziki with feta, follow these simple steps:

• Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Grate the cucumber and place it in a clean dishcloth.
• Sprinkle the cucumber with salt and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. This draws out the moisture and enhances the cucumber's flavour.
• Gather the corners of the dishcloth and squeeze out as much liquid from the cucumber as possible.
• In a medium bowl, combine the squeezed cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and feta cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• For the best flavour, cover the tzatziki and refrigerate for 2-4 hours before serving. However, you can also serve it immediately if desired.

Serving Suggestions

• Dipping Sauce: Serve it with fresh, warm pita bread, pita chips, or veggies like carrots, celery, or cucumbers.
• Sandwiches: Spread it on sandwiches or use it as a filling for wraps, such as falafel wraps.
• Meat Dishes: It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, such as chicken breasts or lamb chops.
• Seafood: Try it with poached salmon, baked salmon stuffed with tzatziki and feta, or falafel wraps.
• Appetizers: Use it as a dip for Mediterranean small plates or appetizers, such as stuffed grape leaves or olives.
• Salads: Add a dollop to your favourite salad for a creamy and tangy twist.

With its bright flavours and creamy texture, tzatziki with feta is a delightful addition to any meal. Get creative and experiment with different serving ideas to find your favourite combinations!

Tzatziki with cottage cheese

Tzatziki is a classic Greek sauce or dip made with yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and salt. It is often served as an appetizer with pita bread or vegetables for dipping, or as a sauce for grilled meats.

Cottage cheese tzatziki is a twist on the traditional recipe, substituting yoghurt with cottage cheese. This gives the dip a creamier texture and makes it suitable for those who cannot eat yoghurt. In addition to cottage cheese, the recipe includes cucumber, mint, dill, garlic, olive oil, and salt.

To make cottage cheese tzatziki, start by halving and de-seeding a cucumber, then grating it. Next, add the grated cucumber to a clean tea towel and wring out over a sink to remove excess liquid. Finally, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well. The dip can be served with fresh crudites, such as carrot sticks, celery, and bell peppers, or with breads or crackers.

For a smoother consistency, the cottage cheese can be blended before adding the other ingredients. The type of herbs used can also be varied to suit individual tastes; while the recipe calls for both mint and dill, using just mint will result in a dip with a stronger flavour.

Tzatziki with strained yoghurt

Tzatziki is a delicious Mediterranean dip, condiment or sauce, that can be served with grilled meats, flatbread, pita bread, falafel, grilled veggies, or stuffed grape leaves. It is typically made with strained yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil and salt.

To make tzatziki with strained yoghurt, start by straining the yoghurt. Place two cups of full-fat plain yoghurt in a coffee filter or two layers of cheesecloth set in a strainer over an empty container. Leave it to strain overnight in the refrigerator. For a less thick sauce, you can use commercial Greek yoghurt, which has already been strained, but it won't be as thick.

Next, prepare the cucumber. Shred or grate one or half a cucumber and place in a fine mesh strainer or a clean tea towel to drain and remove excess liquid. Leave it to drain overnight in the refrigerator.

Finally, mix the strained yoghurt and drained cucumber with the remaining ingredients. Add two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, one and a half tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, one tablespoon of fresh dill, and two cloves of minced garlic. Stir all the ingredients together, then cover and refrigerate for an hour or more to allow the flavours to meld.

You can also add some crumbled feta cheese to your tzatziki for extra flavour and creaminess.

Tzatziki with fresh herbs

Tzatziki is a delicious Mediterranean dip, condiment, or sauce, that is typically made with strained yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and salt. It often includes fresh herbs such as dill or mint, and lemon juice to add a tangy flavour.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 medium cucumber, halved and de-seeded
• 2 tablespoons of fresh mint, diced
• 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, diced
• 1/2 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Halve the cucumber lengthwise and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds. Grate the cucumber (no need to peel it).
• Place the grated cucumber in a clean tea towel and wring out over the sink to remove excess liquid.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
• Spoon the mixture into your serving bowl.

Tips

• For a smoother tzatziki, you can blend the cottage cheese first. However, leaving it as is gives the dip a nice texture.
• You can use just mint if you're not a fan of dill, or adjust the amount of herbs and garlic to your taste preference.
• Tzatziki can be served with fresh crudites such as carrot sticks, celery, and bell peppers, or with breads or crackers.

Tzatziki with flatbread

Tzatziki is a delicious Mediterranean dip, condiment or sauce, that goes well with flatbread, falafel, grilled veggies, and grilled meats. It is traditionally made with strained yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and salt, and often includes fresh lemon juice, mint, or dill.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups plain low-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 pound Persian or English cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and grated
• 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint or dill
• 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
• Fresh mint sprig for garnish (optional)
• Flatbread

Instructions:

• Start by straining the Greek yogurt for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. If you have more time, you can strain plain yogurt for 14-15 hours for an even thicker consistency.
• Prepare the cucumbers by peeling, seeding, and grating them. Place the grated cucumber in a clean tea towel or cheesecloth and wring out over the sink to remove excess liquid.
• In a medium bowl, combine the strained yogurt and drained cucumber.
• Add the olive oil, chopped fresh mint or dill, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and salt to the bowl.
• Use a fork or whisk to blend the ingredients together.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning with more garlic, lemon juice, or salt if desired.
• Serve chilled with freshly baked flatbread.

Tips:

• For a thicker and richer tzatziki, use strained yogurt. Greek yogurt is a good option, but you can also strain plain yogurt for a longer period of time.
• Use fresh herbs and lemon juice for the best flavor.
• If you like your tzatziki with a kick, feel free to add more garlic.
• You can also add a twist to the traditional recipe by using crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor and creaminess.

Frequently asked questions