Tzatziki is a delicious Greek dip or spread for many Greek dishes.  Tzatziki is made with full-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic cloves, fresh dill, and white wine vinegar.  Drizzle with olive oil and serve with fresh pita bread for the most deliciously simple Greek appetizer. Tzatziki adds a fresh, creamy, and tangy flavour to so many dishes!

CAN YOU FREEZE TZATZIKI SAUCE? 

Tzatziki is usually made with full-fat Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination of both sour cream and Greek yogurt.  The reason we love tzatziki so much is because of its creamy consistency.  For that reason, even after tzatziki defrosts in the fridge, I find that it doesn’t have that delicious creaminess because the texture of yogurt changes.

 

While it’s not recommended, if you have a lot of tzatziki left over, then you can still freeze it for up to two months.  Store-bought tzatziki sauce that hasn’t been opened yet would likely taste better after being frozen since it hasn’t been exposed to air and is properly sealed.  Check the container’s expiration date and try to buy the freshest tzatziki.  With store-bought tzatziki, there may still be some texture changes.

 

For best results when freezing tzatziki, storing your homemade dip in an airtight container or a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn is best.  It’s a good idea to date the container so that you know when you put it in the freezer.

 

To have the best results when defrosting tzatziki, allow it to defrost slowly in the fridge overnight.  If it defrosts at room temperature or in the microwave, then those methods may alter the texture of the tzatziki even more.

 

Defrosting tzatziki sauce will take at least a few hours (sometimes longer, depending on how much tzatziki you’re defrosting).  It’s recommended to defrost tzatziki in the fridge and not at room temperature.  This is the best way to minimize bacteria contamination during the thawing process.

 

It will likely separate a bit after defrosting, so it’s best to give it a good stir before using it. Defrosted tzatziki will likely be better to use in a souvlaki wrap instead of as a dip because it won’t have the same creamy and thick texture as fresh tzatziki.

 

 

HOW LONG DOES TZATZIKI SAUCE LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

Homemade tzatziki sauce tastes best when consumed within a few days of making it.  It can last in the fridge for up to four days.  For tzatziki to last longer, look for Greek yogurt or sour cream that is really fresh (not expiring tomorrow, for instance) so that the tzatziki will still taste good after it’s been in the fridge for a few days.  Storing your homemade in an airtight container will also help the tzatziki last longer in the fridge.

 

The longer the tzatziki sits in the fridge, the more powerful the garlic flavour and overall flavour of the tzatziki will be.

 

With Riri’s Greek Eats authentic tzatziki sauce or creamy tzatziki with sour cream, you can cut the ingredients in half or adjust the portion so that you can have the right amount of fresh tzatziki.

 

To save some time, you could prep and strain the Greek yogurt or sour cream overnight in the fridge so that it’s ready to go when you want to make fresh tzatziki dip.  This step takes a couple of hours but is essential to remove any excess liquid so that the dip becomes thick.

 

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER TZATZIKI SAUCE?

Creamy tzatziki sauce goes well with so many dishes like grilled meats, fresh veggies, and more! If you have leftover tzatziki sauce, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days.

 

Keep reading for some ideas for what to eat with tzatziki sauce.  I’ve got a full article on what to serve with tzatziki sauce at the end of this post, but here are some of my favourite foods that go best with leftover tzatziki!

 

Roasted Greek Lemon Potatoes 

Roasted Greek lemon potatoes are a classic side dish bursting with bright flavour.  These delicious potatoes easily come together in one baking dish in the oven.  The potatoes are cooked until they’re soft and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

 

The flavours of Greek potatoes go so well with the cool, tangy, and garlicky flavour of tzatziki.

 

 

Greek Oven Roasted Vegetables (Briam)

Greek oven roasted vegetables become tender and sweet as they bake in the oven.  Simply seasoned with fresh herbs, seasonings, and olive oil.  A healthy and flavourful side dish made with eggplant, zucchini, red peppers, fresh garlic, onions, and tomatoes that are cut into small pieces and baked until the vegetables are soft and caramelized.

 

This Greek dish is easy to make and can be customized by adding more of your favourite vegetables and adjusting the seasonings to suit your taste buds.  The sweetness and flavour of roasted vegetables go well with the freshness of tzatziki.

 

 

Easy Greek Rice 

Greek rice is a simple side dish made with white rice that is cooked in a seasoned broth until tender and fluffy.  The broth is flavoured with sautéed onions, chicken base (or vegetable base), olive oil, and fresh herbs.  Greek rice can be served with a variety of Greek dishes like oven roasted potatoes, creamy and thick tzatziki, and grilled meats.

 

 

Pita Bread or Pita Chips

Fresh pita bread is surprisingly easy to make using primarily flour, buttermilk, and oil.  This recipe doesn’t need yeast, so it comes together quickly.

 

If you’re making homemade pita bread or buying store-bought pita bread, I love brushing pita bread with olive oil and sprinkling it with dried oregano and coarse sea salt.  You can cut the pita bread into triangles and serve it alongside tzatziki sauce or tirokafteri for a Greek-inspired appetizer!

 

 

Chicken or Pork Souvlaki

Small pieces of pork marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, dry seasonings, brown sugar, and mustard and then baked in the oven on wooden skewers. Pork souvlaki skewers are also delicious grilled on the bbq.  The tender and seasoned pork pieces are typically served inside warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, and red onions.

 

Pork souvlaki, chicken souvlaki and greek gyros are popular street foods in Greece and are also served in many Greek restaurants.  You could also serve pork skewers on their own with a side of greek salad, tzatziki dip, fresh pita bread or homemade fries.

 

 

If you’re looking for another creamy sauce to serve with grilled meats, salmon or veggies, try Riri’s Greek Eats Creamy Dill Sauce!

 

• Easy Greek Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
• What To Serve With Tzatziki Dip (10 Best Greek Ideas!)
• Thick Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Recipe With Sour Cream
• Best Vegetarian Dinner, Dips, and Side Dish Ideas