Vegan Tzatziki Sauce is flavorful and versatile. Use it with grilled meats, as a salad dressing, as a dip, and as a gyro or sandwich condiment!
We love sauces that are super versatile. Tzatziki sauce can be used as a dip, a dressing, a condiment, and more.
When We make the Greek chicken souvlaki skewers, We like to serve them with a side of tzatziki sauce. But since We'm dairy-free, We make a vegan tzatziki sauce. The consistency is slightly different, but the taste is the same!
What is in dairy-free tzatziki?
The basic ingredients for traditional Greek tzatziki remain the same in this recipe.
- Yogurt (dairy-free)
- cucumbers
- garlic
- dill
- oregano
The difference is in the type of yogurt you use. Traditional tzatziki recipes call for Greek yogurt. Even though much of the lactose is strained out og Greek yogurt, it still contains some dairy proteins and a bit of lactose. Therefore, we'll use a dairy-free yogurt alternative for this recipe.
In doing so, you should note that the texture may be different than traditional tzatziki. Most dairy-free alternatives do not have the chunky texture of traditional Greek yogurt. The specific dairy-free yogurt you choose affects the overall texture and flavor of this tzatziki. So choose one that you love!
Thickening Options for Dairy-Free Tzatziki
To make the dairy-free yogurt thicker, you can try mixing in a thickener.
You can use:
- tapioca flour
- agar agar
- arrowroot starch
For this recipe, We use arrowroot starch. It simply happens to be what We always have on hand as a thickening agent for dairy-free recipes.
We didn't include the thickening agent in this recipe, because depending on the specific dairy-free yogurt you use, it most likely will not need it. The taste is fantastic without it. But simply know that the texture is a little thinner than traditional tzatziki made with traditional Greek yogurt.
How do you make vegan tzatziki / dairy-free tzatziki?
You can make this vegan dairy free tzatziki in simply a few minutes!
Start by grating the cucumber. We leave the skin on, but you can peel the cucumber if you wish.
Then in a large bowl with the dairy-free yogurt, add the minced garlic, dill, lemon juice, and grated cucumber.
Stir all of the ingredients until they are well combined. We garnish the sauce/dip/dressing with some finely diced cucumber as well, simply for added texture. But that's entirely optional.
What do you eat tzatziki with?
Greek tzatziki sauce can be served with so many different types of food. Here are a few ideas what to eat with tzatziki.
- Serve alongside Greek Chicken Souvlaki
- Use as a dressing for Greek salad or cucumber salad
- Enjoy with a gyro
- Serve as a dip for vegetables
- Dip into fries and enjoy!
Is vegan tzatziki healthy?
Most homemade tzatziki sauce is healthier for you than typical full-fat, full-dairy sauces, dressings, and dips. For the healthiest options, choose dairy-free yogurt alternatives that have no or low sugar.
How long will tzatziki last?
Homemade vegan tzatziki will last for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container the refrigerator.
Can We freeze vegan tzatziki?
We do NOT recommend attempting to freeze tzatziki. Creamy sauces and dips, especially those that contain dairy or dairy alternatives, do not freeze well. Freezing tends to cause separation, and you end up with odd consistency once these foods are thawed out.
More Vegan Recipes
Skillet Gnocchi with Mushrooms- Pressure-cooker Vegan Mushroom Risotto
- Pressure-cooker Lentil Stew (Vegan)
- The Creamiest Dairy-Free Fettuccine Alfredo
- Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Dairy-free options)
- Dairy Free Chocolate Mousse
Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Servings: 4 people dairy free tzatziki sauce is great to go with grilled meats or veggies, salads, in gyros, and more!Ingredients
Tzatziki
- 2 medium cucumbers, grated
- 1 – 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix together until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
Notes
We keep the skin on the cucumbers when We grate them, and simply leave off the cut ends. You can peel your cucumbers if you wish. We also finely dice about 1/2 of an extra cucumber and garnish the top of the tzatziki if We am serving is as a dip. This is entirely optional. If you prefer a thicker sauce: mix in a thickening agent such as tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, or guar guar to the yogurt before mixing in the remaining ingredients. Make sure you mix it in quite well and get rid of all the clumps. mixing to your preferred consistency, before adding the remaining ingredients. Another thickening option: add in more grated cucumber to make it chunkier. Vegan tzatziki will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, if stored in an airtight container.Nutrition
Calories: 97 kcal, Carbohydrates: 5 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g, Trans Fat: 0.003 g, Cholesterol: 1 mg, Sodium: 303 mg, Potassium: 246 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 117 IU, Vitamin C: 5 mg, Calcium: 52 mg, Iron: 0.4 mgNutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
