tzatziki

American  

[tsah-tsee-kee] / tsɑˈtsi ki /

noun

1. a condiment or dip consisting of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and usually mint.

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tzatziki British  

/ tsætˈsɪkɪ /

noun

1. a Greek dip made from yogurt, chopped cucumber, and mint

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Etymology

Origin of tzatziki

1960–65; < Modern Greek tzatzíki from Turkish cacık, of uncertain origin

Explanation

Tzatziki is a tangy Greek dip that's made with yogurt. In a restaurant, tzatziki is often served with pita bread as an appetizer or side dish. The ingredients of tzatziki vary, but they always include strained yogurt (in Greece, it's usually yogurt made from the milk of sheep or goats). Cucumbers, garlic, various herbs, olive oil, and salt are added for flavor, and sometimes lemon juice or vinegar. Variations on this tasty dip exist in the cuisines of Turkey, Cyprus, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East.

Example Sentences

We watch as a party scene involving limbo dancing, is filmed from every angle, as Bryn downs shots and Nessa gives Smithy a lesson in how to eat the Greek yogurt dish, tzatziki.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2024

For ours, inspired by a lesson we learned in Athens, we shred and then salt an English cucumber and squeeze the liquid out of the shreds to keep the tzatziki from becoming watery.

From Washington Times • Oct. 9, 2023

The Greek fries arrived first — and, judge if you want, but a hot, crispy French fry drizzled in tzatziki and crumbled feta?

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 2023

Rumsey would also reach for the cheese to pair with crackers or a baguette, some raw vegetables to dip in hummus or tzatziki, and an apple or other fresh fruit.

From National Geographic • Aug. 16, 2023

The refrigerator door swung open and out poured tubs of hummus and tzatziki sauce.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda