Best 4 Yia Yias Tzatziki Sauce Recipes

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Tzatziki sauce is a creamy, refreshing cucumber-yogurt sauce that is a staple of Greek cuisine. It is typically served as a dip for pita bread, vegetables, or grilled meats. Tzatziki is also a common ingredient in gyros and souvlaki.

This article provides three recipes for tzatziki sauce: a classic recipe, a vegan recipe, and a spicy recipe. The classic recipe is made with Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and salt. The vegan recipe substitutes cashew yogurt for Greek yogurt. The spicy recipe adds a kick of heat with the addition of chili peppers.

All three recipes are easy to make and can be prepared in under 30 minutes. They are also versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you are looking for a classic tzatziki sauce to serve with your favorite Greek dishes or a vegan or spicy variation, this article has a recipe for you.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

YIA YIA'S SUNDAY SAUCE



Yia Yia's Sunday Sauce image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Time 8h20m

Yield 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon kosher salt, or more as needed
6 cloves garlic, sliced
Two 28-ounce cans San Marzano tomatoes, with their juice
2 pounds meaty beef bones
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • What makes this sauce so good is the long, slow cooking time, which allows it to develop a complex flavor. It shouldn't simmer; there should be just a bubble rising to the surface every now and then. Meaty beef bones add more depth and complexity. (If you have beef stock, you can add two cups of it in place of the beef bones.) This sauce is chunky with abundant tomato and sliced garlic. Depending on what you're using this for, it can be served as is (over a very thick hearty pasta or as part of a braising liquid). But if you were to use it for an angel hair or as a sauce for sauteed veal, you would probably want to puree it in a blender until it's uniformly smooth. This sauce freezes well, so you can make big batches, portion it into smaller containers, and freeze it when you need it.
  • Heat the oil in a 4-quart saucepan or large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, 2 minutes. Add the salt and garlic and cook until everything is soft but not browned, about 3 minutes.
  • Squeeze the tomatoes one by one into the pan, pulverizing them by hand, and pour in their juice, too. Add the bones, wine, oregano, red pepper flakes, if using, black pepper and bay leaf. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and then reduce the heat to its lowest possible setting, and continue to cook for 8 hours. The sauce should reduce by about one-third.
  • Taste for seasoning and add more salt if necessary. Remove the bones and bay leaf. If not using right away, let the sauce cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.

MARGARET'S KEFTEDES (GREEK MEATBALLS)



Margaret's Keftedes (Greek Meatballs) image

This is my yia yia's recipe--a family favorite straight from the village of Kyparissia. Serve as an appetizer or with tzatziki, Greek salata, and pita or pasta for a full meal. They taste best served at room temp and make for wonderful leftovers. If you don't care for lamb, try using all beef instead.

Provided by Shandeen Gemanis

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 55m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 slices white bread, torn into pieces
2 tablespoons milk
1 clove garlic
1 onion, quartered
4 teaspoons dried mint
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
½ pound ground beef
½ pound ground lamb
4 eggs
½ cup all-purpose flour for dredging
vegetable oil for frying

Steps:

  • Moisten the bread pieces with the milk in a large bowl, and set aside. Mince the garlic in a food processor, then add the onion, mint, salt, and pepper. Process until the onion is finely chopped. Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the moist bread, along with the beef, lamb, and eggs. Mix with your hands until thoroughly blended.
  • Roll the mixture into balls measuring 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place the flour in a shallow pan, and roll the balls in the flour to coat. Shake off any excess flour, and place the meatballs onto a plate or baking sheet, pressing to flatten slightly. This will keep them from rolling away.
  • Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until nicely browned on the outside, and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes; drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 521.6 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 259.1 mg, Fat 31.5 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 892.6 mg, Sugar 3 g

GREEK TZATZIKI



Greek Tzatziki image

This cool Greek dip only gets better with time. Serve with pita bread, in gyros, on lamb or with whatever you like!

Provided by LeeleeCooks

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Tzatziki

Time 8h20m

Yield 40

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (32 ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt
½ English cucumber with peel, grated
1 clove garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl. Add lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Pour into a serving dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 21.6 calories, Carbohydrate 1.9 g, Cholesterol 1.4 mg, Fat 1 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 190.6 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

TZATZIKI SAUCE I



Tzatziki Sauce I image

This fragrant sauce is cool and refreshing, a perfect summer dip for cucumber slices.

Provided by Serena Liew

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Tzatziki

Time 5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 ounces plain yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
3 cloves pressed garlic

Steps:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, dill and garlic. Blend thoroughly and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 33.4 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 1.1 mg, Fat 2.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 110.4 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

Tips:

  • Use a high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
  • Grate the cucumber instead of chopping it to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.
  • Squeeze the cucumber well to remove excess moisture.
  • Use fresh herbs for the best flavor. Dill and mint are classic choices, but you can also use parsley, oregano, or thyme.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
  • Serve the sauce chilled or at room temperature.
  • Tzatziki sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Tzatziki sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used with a variety of dishes. It is a refreshing and flavorful addition to grilled meats, fish, and vegetables. It can also be used as a dip for pita bread, chips, or crudités. No matter how you choose to use it, tzatziki sauce is sure to be a hit. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make sauce, give tzatziki a try. You won't be disappointed!

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