Are you a fan of tzatziki sauce?
This cool and refreshing cucumber sauce is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes.
From gyros to grilled meats, tzatziki adds a tangy and flavorful twist to any meal.
But have you ever wondered what else you can enjoy with this delicious sauce?
Look no further!
In this article, we’ll explore some surprising and mouth-watering dishes that go great with tzatziki.
Whether you’re a seasoned tzatziki lover or new to the game, get ready to discover some tasty new recipes to try out.
What Goes Good With Tzatziki Sauce?
1. Fresh Vegetables: The classic pairing for tzatziki sauce is fresh vegetables. Cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, radishes, green beans, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery sticks all taste better when dipped in this healthy Greek sauce. Keep some chopped veggies in your fridge and enjoy a healthy snack anytime.
2. Gyros: Gyros without tzatziki are like wings without buffalo sauce. They need each other. This Greek dish is made with grilled meat (usually lamb or chicken), wrapped in a pita bread with fresh veggies and topped with tzatziki sauce. It’s a must-try!
3. Meat: Tzatziki sauce is a super easy way to make practically any meat more flavorful, especially grilled meats. Add a drizzle over grilled chicken, roasted lamb, Greek meatballs, or pork tenderloin.
4. Pizza: Instead of dipping your cheesy pan pizza in ranch dressing, try tzatziki instead. Or better yet, make a Greek-style pizza with Mediterranean toppings and a drizzle of sauce on top.
5. Baked Potato: Replace the sour cream with tzatziki! It’s so much more flavorful.
6. Wraps: Slather it on some pita bread or flatbread for Mediterranean-inspired pita wraps.
7. Sandwiches: Way better than mayo! Pile your sandwich high with leftover grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and plenty of sauce.
8. Burgers: One of the best burgers of my life was piled high with juicy meat, roasted red peppers, spinach, feta cheese, and drippy tzatziki sauce. I highly recommend it.
9. Chicken Wings: Try Greek-inspired chicken wings with this as a dipping sauce. I’ve even heard it’s a delicious dip for spicy buffalo wings.
10. Omelet: Add a drizzle to the top of your Greek omelet. It’s a great way to add a flavorful twist on a breakfast classic.
11. Fish: Tzatziki makes a killer combo with fish. Think grilled or crusted fish, or even fish tacos (…a Greek taco? Yes, please.)
12. Loaded Greek Fries: Crispy french fries loaded with melty feta cheese, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of tangy tzatziki. YUM!
13. Greek Quinoa Bowls: Add a dollop to these Greek Quinoa Salad Bowls for the perfect healthy lunch or dinner.
14. As a Marinade: Did you know you can marinate meat in yogurt? Try using tzatziki for an extra flavorful marinade that slowly tenderizes your meat while you sit back and relax.
15. Potato Salad and Pasta Salad: Replace the mayo-based dressing with tzatziki for healthier potato salad and pasta salad that are full of lemony, herby summer vibes.
Classic Pairings: Gyros And More
If you’re looking for a classic pairing for tzatziki sauce, look no further than gyros. This Greek street food is made with grilled meat (usually lamb or chicken), wrapped in a pita bread with fresh veggies and topped with tzatziki sauce. The combination of tender meat, crispy veggies, and tangy sauce is irresistible.
But gyros aren’t the only dish that pairs well with tzatziki sauce. Grilled meats of all kinds – beef, pork, lamb, and chicken – taste better with a drizzle of this flavorful sauce. It’s also a great dip for fried foods like french fries and onion rings.
For a healthier option, try serving tzatziki sauce with fresh vegetables. Cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, radishes, green beans, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery sticks all taste better when dipped in this healthy Greek sauce. Keep some chopped veggies in your fridge and enjoy a healthy snack anytime.
Tzatziki sauce can also be used to add flavor to sandwiches and wraps. Pile your sandwich high with leftover grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and plenty of sauce. Or slather it on some pita bread or flatbread for Mediterranean-inspired pita wraps.
For a twist on classic dishes, try using tzatziki sauce as a replacement for sour cream or mayo. It’s a great topping for baked potatoes or omelets. And it makes a killer combo with fish – think grilled or crusted fish, or even fish tacos.
Finally, for a truly indulgent treat, try loaded Greek fries. Crispy french fries loaded with melty feta cheese, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of tangy tzatziki are sure to satisfy any craving.
Beyond The Basics: Unexpected Tzatziki Combinations
While tzatziki sauce is a classic Greek condiment, it’s also versatile enough to use in unexpected ways. Here are some unique and unexpected combinations that go well with tzatziki sauce:
1. Tacos: Tzatziki sauce can be used as a delicious and tangy topping for tacos, especially fish tacos.
2. Nachos: Instead of the usual cheese sauce or salsa, try using tzatziki sauce as a dip or topping for your nachos.
3. Falafel: Tzatziki is the perfect complement to crispy falafel balls. Serve them up with a side of tzatziki for dipping or drizzle it on top.
4. Grilled Vegetables: Tzatziki sauce pairs well with grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. It adds a creamy and tangy flavor to the veggies.
5. Stuffed Peppers: Use tzatziki sauce as a filling for stuffed peppers. It adds a deliciously tangy flavor to the dish.
6. Baked Fish: Tzatziki sauce can be used as a topping for baked fish dishes, such as salmon or cod. It adds a refreshing flavor to the dish.
7. Sweet Potato Fries: Instead of ketchup or aioli, try dipping your sweet potato fries into tzatziki sauce for a healthier and flavorful option.
8. Grilled Cheese: Add some tzatziki sauce to your grilled cheese sandwich for an unexpected twist on this classic comfort food.
9. Meatballs: Tzatziki sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for meatballs or as a topping for spaghetti and meatballs.
10. Quesadillas: Tzatziki sauce can be used as a dipping sauce or topping for quesadillas, especially those with Mediterranean-inspired fillings like feta cheese and spinach.
With so many different ways to use tzatziki sauce, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular condiment. Whether you’re using it as a dip, topping, or marinade, tzatziki adds a refreshing and tangy flavor to any dish.
Vegetarian Delights: Tzatziki With Veggies And Dips
For the vegetarian crowd, tzatziki sauce is a perfect accompaniment to fresh veggies. Cut up some cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, and celery sticks for a crunchy and healthy snack. Cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, and radishes also taste great when dipped in tzatziki sauce.
If you’re looking for something heartier, try roasted vegetable grain bowls with tzatziki sauce. Roast your favorite veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, and eggplant and top them with a creamy tzatziki sauce for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
For a fun twist on traditional hummus, try using tzatziki as a base instead. Serve it with pita chips or fresh veggies for a delicious dip. You can also use tzatziki as a topping for Mediterranean baked potatoes or vegetable souvlaki.
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing salad dressing alternative, try using tzatziki instead of mayo or dressing. It pairs perfectly with a classic Greek salad or any other salad with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Creative Cooking: Incorporating Tzatziki Into Your Recipes
Looking for creative ways to incorporate tzatziki sauce into your recipes? Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Tzatziki Dip: This is a favorite healthy dip or snack! Use it as a dip for fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, firm cucumbers (English cucumber or Persian cucumbers are good choices), carrots, or bell peppers. It’s also great for pita chips or soft pita bread.
2. Salad Dressing: Loosen the tzatziki with a bit of milk to make a fresh and tangy dressing for Greek salad.
3. Oven Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breast: Tzatziki sauce goes great with all kinds of meat – chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. It’s especially good with grilled meat!
4. Schnitzel Side Dish: It is a great dip for schnitzel and an ideal side dish that will taste lovely with any meal.
5. Mashed Potatoes: Sub out the sour cream in your creamy mashed potatoes. This will give them a surprising flavor boost.
6. Chicken Salad Sandwiches: Combine the best of chicken salad sandwiches and Greek gyros by using the yogurt sauce instead of a mayo dressing.
7. Tempeh Gyros: A vegetarian twist on the classic gyro, tempeh gyros are made with grilled tempeh, fresh veggies, and topped with tzatziki sauce.
8. Grilled Vegetables: Tzatziki sauce pairs well with grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and onions. Drizzle some over your grilled veggies for a healthy and flavorful side dish.
9. Greek Quesadillas: Fill flour tortillas with feta cheese, roasted red peppers, spinach, and chicken (or your protein of choice), then top with tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean twist on the classic quesadilla.
10. Greek Nachos: Top tortilla chips with feta cheese, black olives, diced tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce for a fun and flavorful appetizer.
With these creative cooking ideas, you can enjoy tzatziki sauce in new and exciting ways beyond just dipping vegetables or topping gyros. Try them out and let your taste buds be the judge!
Homemade Tzatziki: Tips And Tricks For Perfecting Your Sauce
Making homemade tzatziki sauce is easier than you might think. Here are some tips and tricks to help you perfect your sauce:
1. Use Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, which makes it the perfect base for tzatziki sauce. Look for full-fat Greek yogurt for the best results.
2. Drain the cucumbers: Grated cucumbers are a key ingredient in tzatziki sauce, but they contain a lot of water. To prevent your sauce from becoming too watery, drain the grated cucumbers overnight in the fridge by placing them in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and covering with plastic wrap. If you don’t have time for an overnight drain, gently press the cucumber in the sieve to remove as much liquid as possible.
3. Use fresh herbs: Fresh dill is a must-have ingredient in tzatziki sauce, but you can also add other fresh herbs like mint or parsley for extra flavor.
4. Add garlic: Garlic is another essential ingredient in tzatziki sauce. Use fresh garlic cloves that have been finely minced for the best flavor.
5. Let it chill: Tzatziki sauce tastes best when it has had time to chill in the fridge. Make your sauce ahead of time and let it chill for at least a few hours before serving.
6. Adjust the seasoning: Taste your tzatziki sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it’s too tangy, add a little more yogurt. If it needs more salt, add a pinch at a time until it’s just right.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make perfect homemade tzatziki sauce every time!
