Homemade Vegan Tzatziki

Homemade Vegan Tzatziki is the perfect addition to your summer meals, made with cucumber, vegan yogurt, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice. All you need are 6 ingredients!

Say hello to the ultimate dip that’s creamy, refreshing, and completely dairy-free! Our Homemade Vegan Tzatziki is the perfect addition to your summer meals, made with fresh cucumber, tangy vegan yogurt, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice.

Perfect for dipping, spreading, or just eating by the spoonful, this vegan tzatziki pairs beautifully with grilled veggies, falafel, or pita bread. It’s a must-try for all your Mediterranean cravings!

This simple and easy-to-make Homemade Vegan Tzatziki recipe uses just 6 ingredients to create a delicious and nutritious dip in minutes!

Why you need to make this Tzatziki now:

Not only is this Greek-style dip delicious and easy to make, but it’s a refreshing dip in hot summer months that pairs wonderfully with many dishes.

In fact, it’s so versatile and tasty, that we bet it will become your new favorite summer dip!

See serving suggestions below for a wide list of dishes that pair splendidly with tzatziki 🙂 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vegan Tzatziki Ingredients

Making Vegan Tzatziki is no different than making a regular tzatziki. All you need is 6 ingredients, swapping regular yogurt with a vegan unsweetened yogurt.

Here are all the ingredients you need:

Unsweetened dairy-free yogurt: choose a thick and creamy dairy-free yogurt for the best texture. Greek-style vegan yogurts work particularly well, but you can also use unsweetened almond, soy, or coconut yogurt. For thicker consistency use a thick, Greek-style vegan yogurt or strain regular dairy-free yogurt using a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve for a few hours to remove excess liquid.

Cucumber: we recommend using an English cucumber or a regular salad cucumber. For a smoother texture, peel the cucumber and remove the seeds before grating.

Garlic: fresh garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the tzatziki. Adjust the amount to your taste preference.

Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a rich and fruity flavor, enhancing the creaminess of the tzatziki.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a tangy brightness that balances the creaminess of the yogurt.

Dill: is a classic herb in tzatziki, providing a distinctive taste. Fresh dill gives a more vibrant flavor, but you can use dried dill if fresh is unavailable. 

Salt and pepper: Season the tzatziki with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance all the flavors.

How to make Homemade Vegan Tzatziki

Making this Vegan Tzatziki is super simple and takes literally just minutes!

Start by preparing the cucumber:
Peel the cucumber if desired and cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon to avoid excess water in your tzatziki. Peeling the cucumber will provide a smoother texture.

Grate the cucumber using a box grater or a food processor.

Place the grated cucumber in a fine-mesh sieve or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This step is crucial to prevent your tzatziki from becoming watery.

I like to lightly salt the cucumber (just a pinch), then let it sit for 10 minutes for the water to come out, and then just give it a good squeeze. Works every time!

Combine Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine the unsweetened dairy-free yogurt, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped dill.

Add the grated cucumber to the bowl. Stir the mixture well until all ingredients are evenly combined.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed.

And that’s all that’s needed to get a delicious homemade Greek-style dip that goes with many many Mediterranean dishes!

Chill and Serve:
Now cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the tzatziki to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it sits, the better it tastes.

Before serving, give the vegan tzatziki a good stir.

Serving suggestions

To serve, transfer the tzatziki to a serving bowl. Drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill or a lemon wedge if desired.

Serve chilled with pita bread, fresh vegetables, or as a sauce for falafel, gyros, or grilled veggies.

Here are some more ideas how to serve this tzatziki:

Veggie Platter Dip:
Serve the tzatziki as a dip with a platter of fresh vegetables such as carrots, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, and celery sticks. It makes for a healthy and colorful appetizer.

Falafel Wraps:
Spread tzatziki inside a warm pita or flatbread, and add falafel (here is a simple recipe), lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Roll it up for a delicious meal.

Grilled Vegetable Skewers:
Use the tzatziki as a dipping sauce for grilled vegetable skewers. Skewer a mix of zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.

Stuffed Pita:
Fill pita bread with a mix of roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and a generous dollop of tzatziki. Add some fresh herbs like parsley or mint for extra flavor.

Vegan Gyros:
Use plant-based gyro slices or marinated and grilled seitan as the main protein. Serve with tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce wrapped in a warm pita.

Grain Bowls:
Top a grain bowl with tzatziki. Combine quinoa or brown rice with roasted vegetables, chickpeas, avocado, and a sprinkle of nuts or seeds for a complete meal.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad:
Mix cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and fresh herbs. Toss with tzatziki for a creamy and tangy dressing.

Roasted Potatoes:
Serve roasted or grilled potatoes with a side of tzatziki. The creamy dip pairs wonderfully with the crispy potatoes.

Cucumber Sandwiches:
Spread tzatziki on whole grain bread and layer with thin slices of cucumber, tomato, and spinach for a light and refreshing sandwich.

Greek Salad:
Drizzle tzatziki over a classic Greek salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onions, and vegan feta cheese.

Check down below how to properly store this Tzatziki dip do enjoy it for several days during your week!

Storage tips

If you would like to store this tzatziki sauce for later or make it as part of your weekly meal-prep, follow these storage tips:

Refrigerate Immediately:
Once prepared, transfer the tzatziki to an airtight container and refrigerate immediately. The cool temperature helps maintain its freshness and flavor.

Store the container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically near the back. Avoid placing it in the refrigerator door, as this area experiences the most temperature fluctuations.

For the best quality and flavor, consume the tzatziki within 3-4 days. While it may still be safe to eat after this period, the taste and texture might start to degrade.

Stir Before Serving:
Before serving, give the tzatziki a good stir to reincorporate any liquid that may have separated during storage. This will help maintain its creamy consistency.

Avoid Freezing:
Freezing tzatziki is not recommended, as the texture can become grainy and the cucumber may lose its crunch once thawed. The separation of ingredients upon thawing can also affect the overall quality.

Avoid Cross-Contamination:
Use a clean spoon or utensil each time you scoop out tzatziki to avoid introducing bacteria or other contaminants into the container. This practice helps prolong its shelf life and maintain food safety.

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