Cucumber Dill Yogurt Sauce

Name: Cucumber Dill Yogurt Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1 cup yogurt (thick, Greek-style, plain, full-fat); 0.5 pcs cucumber (medium, peeled, seeded, and finely grated); 2 tbsp dill (fresh, finely chopped); 1 pcs garlic (small clove, minced into a paste); 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 1 tsp olive oil (extra virgin); 1 pinch salt; 1 pinch black pepper (freshly ground)

RATING

4.3/5(28)

TASTE SCORE

8/10

A cool, creamy yogurt sauce loaded with crisp cucumber and fragrant fresh dill. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's the perfect partner for grilled meats, falafel, or as a refreshing veggie dip.

PREP

10m

COOK

SERVES

1 TBSP

28 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 8 servings

1 cupyogurt · thick, Greek-style, plain, full-fat½ pcscucumber · medium, peeled, seeded, and finely grated2 tbspdill · fresh, finely chopped1 pcsgarlic · small clove, minced into a paste1 tbsplemon juice · freshly squeezed1 tspolive oil · extra virgin1 pinchsalt1 pinchblack pepper · freshly ground

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

CALORIES · 1 TBSP

Protein2g · 29%

Carbs3g · 43%

Fat1g · 32%

Fiber0g

Sugar3g

Saturated fat0g

Cholesterol2mg

Sodium40mg

Potassium104mg

Phosphorus50mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 4 STEPS

prep · ~2 min
Drain the grated cucumber.
Place the grated cucumber in a clean cheesecloth or kitchen towel and squeeze firmly over the sink to remove as much water as possible. This keeps the sauce thick and prevents it from becoming watery.
TIPDo not skip this step — cucumber holds a lot of water that will thin out the sauce.
mix · ~1 min
Combine all ingredients.
1.In a medium mixing bowl, add the yogurt, squeezed cucumber, fresh dill, garlic paste, lemon juice, and olive oil.
2.Season with a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper.
3.Whisk until everything is evenly combined and the sauce is smooth.
rest · ~30 min
Chill before serving.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the garlic and dill to infuse the yogurt, deepening the flavor.
serve
Give a final stir and serve chilled.
Drizzle with a tiny bit of extra olive oil on top if desired, and serve as a dip, spread, or sauce alongside grilled meat, pita, or fresh vegetables.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest, most luscious texture that won't separate.
2
Squeeze the grated cucumber until no more water drips out—this is the key to a thick, non-watery sauce.
3
Let the sauce rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 1 hour, for the flavors to meld.
4
For a stronger garlic flavor, let the minced garlic sit in the lemon juice for 5 minutes before mixing.
5
Make this sauce up to 2 days ahead; store it in an airtight container and stir before serving.
6
If using dried dill instead of fresh, reduce to 2 teaspoons and let the sauce rest longer.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

low fat

Low-fat

Substitute full-fat Greek yogurt with low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce that still provides protein and tanginess.

vegan

Vegan

Replace Greek yogurt with a thick, plain vegan yogurt (such as coconut or soy-based) to make this sauce entirely plant-based while keeping it creamy.

mint coriander

Mint-coriander

Replace half the fresh dill with equal parts fresh mint and fresh coriander (cilantro) for a brighter, more complex herb profile that pairs beautifully with grilled lamb or spicy dishes.

spicy