Chef John’s Tzatziki Sauce

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Description

I’m going to show you what I think is the best method for making this incredibly delicious Greek yogurt and garlic sauce. One of the world’s great snacks, an all-purpose condiment, this is just good on so many things. I serve mine with some homemade pita bread. As always, enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 large English cucumber, peeled and grated
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 sprig fresh dill for garnish
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle grated cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and let stand 10 to 15 minutes to draw out juice.
  2. Place yogurt into a separate bowl. Dump cucumber and its juice onto a sturdy
  3. dry paper or cloth towel and squeeze as much moisture as possible from the cucumber. Mix cucumber into yogurt. Add garlic
  4. cayenne pepper
  5. and lemon juice; mix thoroughly.
  6. Stir dill and mint into yogurt-cucumber mixture; season with salt and black pepper. Adjust all seasonings to taste.
  7. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 or 4 hours (or overnight). Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprig of dill and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for color.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins

Servings: 12

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