This easy, garlicky and dairy-free vegan tzatziki sauce calls for simple and healthy ingredients and it’s so versatile. It’s perfect for dipping or served with pita bread, falafels, olives, crudites, grilled vegetables or canapés.
You can eat tzatziki with almost anything and it’s ready in 10 minutes!
But first of all, what is tzatziki sauce? It’s simply a traditional Greek sauce made with strained yogurt and mixed with cucumber, garlic, olive oil, salt, lemon juice and fresh herbs like dill or mint.
The first time I had tzatziki sauce I was in Greece, so many years ago. I simply loved it and I’ve been making it since then. And even though I’m not vegan, I do find that sometimes it’s nice to just go easy on the dairy, hence I wanted to come up with a vegan version of tzatziki.
Honestly, it turned out delicious, I simply swapped Greek yogurt for creamy coconut yogurt and it worked better than I expected. Yes, that was easy : )
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS RECIPE:
- Unsweetened coconut yogurt
- Cucumber
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Dill
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN TZATZIKI:
- Cut the cucumber in half lengthways
- Scoop out seeds, pulp and grate it coarsely
- Put the grated cucumber into a sieve and squeeze out the water
- Then combine all the ingredients into a bowl
- Mix thoroughly
- Taste and adjust the seasoning
- Drizzle with olive oil and serve with pita bread, vegetables… anything!
IS TZATZIKI HEALTHY?
Yes, this vegan and dairy-free tzatziki sauce is made with fresh and healthy ingredients like coconut yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon, and herbs.
Cultured coconut yogurt makes a great alternative to dairy-based yogurt: it’s plant-based, lactose-free, easy to digest and rich in antioxidants and probiotics.
The crunchy and refreshing cucumbers add even more health benefits to this recipe. They are low in calories and high in important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research shows that cucumbers may offer several potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity, and lower blood sugar levels.
Creamy, tangy and garlicky, this easy recipe makes one of the best vegan dipping sauces. And as you can see, it’s also perfect for making healthy and festive vegan canapes ready in no time!
NOTES
Cucumber: the cucumber high water content has a tendency to leach out and that can make the sauce watery. To avoid excess water, scoop out seeds and pulp and then make sure you drain and squeeze as much liquid as you can from the grated cucumber.
Leftovers: how long does tzatziki last? This vegan dipping sauce lasts up to 4 days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container.
If you’re looking for more vegan dipping sauces you might have a look at this amazing beetroot hummus, ready in 5 minutes. Or, if you fancy more vegan recipes perfect for a party, don’t miss out this collection of delicious and easy vegan appetizers!
If you make this vegan tzatziki, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram. I would love to hear from you! x
10-MINUTE VEGAN TZATZIKI
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated cucumber, drained*
- 1 large garlic clove, minced or pressed (plus more if you like)
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Coarsely grate the cucumber with the skin on. Then set in a mesh strainer over a small bowl and squeeze out the excess water until mostly dry. Set aside
- Add coconut yogurt to a mixing bowl, then add grated cucumber, minced garlic, dill, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Stir well to combine.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your taste. You might want to add more garlic or lemon or salt.
- Chill the tzatziki in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to mingle.
Notes
Plus, it's important to scoop out seeds, pulp drain and squeeze as much liquid as you can from the grated cucumber. .
