Quick & Creamy Michael Symon Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Tzatziki sauce brings a burst of Mediterranean freshness to any dish, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

This creamy Greek condiment combines tangy yogurt with crisp, cool vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Bold yet delicate, tzatziki sauce offers a perfect balance of flavors that dance across your palate.

Professional chefs like Michael symon elevate this classic recipe with precision and passion.

Each spoonful delivers a smooth, refreshing taste that complements grilled meats, vegetables, and breads with remarkable depth.

The simple ingredients create a harmonious blend that feels both rustic and sophisticated.

You’ll love how quickly this sauce comes together, adding instant sophistication to your plate: prepare to be amazed.

What Makes Michael Symon’s Tzatziki Sauce the Perfect Cool Dip

• Unload Extra Moisture: Squeezing cucumber removes excess water, creating a thick and creamy tzatziki sauce that won't become watery or runny on your plate.
• Herbal Flavor Explosion: Fresh dill and mint bring vibrant, zesty notes that elevate the classic Greek sauce, making it burst with refreshing Mediterranean flavors that dance on your palate.
• Quick and Easy Prep: With just a few simple steps and minimal ingredients, this tzatziki comes together in under 10 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious condiment without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Sauce Champion: Drizzle over grilled meats, use as a dip for vegetables, spread on sandwiches, or enjoy with pita bread – this tzatziki adapts to countless culinary scenarios and adds instant gourmet flair to any dish.

Ingredients for Michael Symon’s Tzatziki Sauce

• Cucumber: Crisp and watery vegetable that needs gentle squeezing to remove excess moisture.
• Dill: Delicate herb with a tangy, fresh flavor that adds brightness to the sauce.
• Mint: Optional herb that provides a cool, refreshing note to the tzatziki.

• Yogurt: Creamy base that gives the sauce its signature tangy and smooth texture. Full-fat Greek yogurt works best.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus that adds zesty acidity and helps balance the richness of the yogurt.
• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth oil that enhances the overall flavor and provides a silky consistency.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and sharp flavor to the sauce.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all the other ingredients.

How to Make Michael Symon’s Tzatziki Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Cucumber

Grab a clean kitchen towel and place the cucumber on it. Gently press and squeeze the cucumber to remove excess moisture, which helps prevent the tzatziki from becoming watery. Pat the cucumber dry thoroughly.

Step 2: Combine Tzatziki Ingredients

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• Salt
• Chopped fresh dill
• Chopped fresh mint (optional)

Stir all ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This chilling time helps enhance the taste of the tzatziki sauce. Serve cold as a dip, sauce, or condiment with your favorite dishes.

Pro Tips for the Creamiest Tzatziki Sauce

• Drain with Finesse: Wrap cucumber shreds in a clean kitchen towel and press firmly, eliminating every drop of moisture for a perfectly thick tzatziki texture.
• Yogurt Selection Matters: Full-fat Greek yogurt creates a luxurious, creamy base that transforms your sauce from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Zest Up Your Sauce: Fresh lemon juice cuts through the yogurt's richness, adding a bright, tangy note that makes taste buds dance.
• Garlic Intensity Control: Grate or mince garlic finely to distribute its bold flavor evenly, preventing overwhelming raw garlic bites.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Chop dill or mint moments before mixing to lock in maximum aromatic oils and vibrant green color.

How to Store Michael Symon’s Tzatziki Sauce

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock freshness by transferring tzatziki sauce into vacuum-sealed bags, removing all air to prevent bacterial growth and maintain original texture. Press sauce flat for easy stacking and maximum freezer space efficiency.
• Mason Jar Preservation: Transfer sauce into clean glass mason jars with tight-fitting lids, leaving minimal headspace to reduce oxidation. Refrigerate immediately and consume within 3-4 days for optimal flavor and quality.
• Ice Cube Tray Technique: Pour tzatziki sauce into silicone ice cube trays, freeze until solid, then transfer frozen cubes into labeled freezer bags. This method allows portioning small amounts for quick defrosting and prevents waste of entire batch.

Creative Twists on Michael Symon’s Tzatziki Sauce

• Spicy Greek Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to bring heat and zest to the classic tzatziki sauce.
• Herb Garden Mix: Incorporate fresh chopped parsley, chives, or basil alongside the dill and mint for a more complex herb profile that brightens the sauce.
• Roasted Garlic Edition: Swap raw garlic for slow-roasted garlic cloves, which provide a mellower, deeper flavor and subtle sweetness to the tzatziki.
• Smoky Mediterranean Style: Stir in a small amount of smoked paprika or use a touch of za'atar spice blend to give the sauce a rich, earthy undertone that complements grilled meats and vegetables.

A Fresh, Creamy Dip: Michael Symon’s Tzatziki Sauce

Mediterranean magic unfolds through Michael Symon’s tzatziki sauce, blending crisp cucumber with tangy yogurt and fragrant herbs.

Salt and lemon juice awaken subtle Mediterranean flavors, creating perfect balance in each spoonful.

Garlic whispers complexity while dill and mint dance across palate landscapes.

Kitchen alchemists can elevate simple dishes with this classic Greek condiment, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Home chefs discover culinary confidence through straightforward preparation techniques that promise delicious results.

You’ll want to share this recipe with friends, pin it on social boards, and celebrate fresh ingredients that connect cultures through remarkable simplicity.

Michael Symon Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Greek tzatziki sauce by Michael Symon brings Mediterranean magic to your kitchen. Cool cucumber and tangy yogurt combine in this simple yet sophisticated condiment perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling over grilled meats and vegetables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 1 cup thick whole milk Greek yogurt
• ½ cup finely grated cucumber
• 1 garlic clove, grated

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped mint (optional)
• ½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly pat the cucumber dry using a clean kitchen towel, applying gentle pressure to remove excess moisture without crushing the vegetable.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine full-fat yogurt (227 grams / 8 ounces), freshly squeezed lemon juice (30 milliliters / 2 tablespoons), extra virgin olive oil (15 milliliters / 1 tablespoon), minced fresh garlic clove, kosher salt, finely chopped fresh dill, and optional chopped mint leaves.
3. Whisk the ingredients together until they form a smooth, well-integrated sauce with a consistent texture and balanced flavor profile.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the mixture to an airtight container.
5. Refrigerate the prepared sauce for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, which will enhance the overall taste and aroma of the condiment.

Notes

• Zesty Lemon Plays Perfectly: Fresh-squeezed juice cuts through the creamy yogurt, creating a bright and tangy flavor profile that awakens your palate.
• Moisture Management Matters: Removing excess water from grated cucumber prevents watery tzatziki, maintaining a thick and luxurious dip consistency.
• Dairy Density Determines Quality: Whole milk Greek yogurt provides a dense, rich base that holds other ingredients together with remarkable smoothness.
• Herb Harmony Enhances Depth: Finely chopped fresh dill and mint introduce layers of aromatic complexity, transforming a simple sauce into a Mediterranean sensation.
• Garlic Intensity Customization: Grate or mince fresh garlic to control the pungent punch, allowing you to dial up or down the traditional Greek flavor intensity.
• Chill Time Concentrates Flavors: Refrigerating tzatziki for at least an hour lets ingredients meld together, developing a more robust and integrated taste experience.
• Serving Versatility Shines: Beyond a classic dip, this sauce elevates grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and works wonderfully as a sandwich spread or salad dressing.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg