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Chef Taha Ayad's Recipe Tzatziki Cucumber Salad with Fresh Herbs and Greek Yogurt
Taha Ayad

Tzatziki Cucumber Salad

A cool and creamy Tzatziki Cucumber Salad made with thin cucumber slices, red onion, Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs. This no-cook salad is a refreshing side dish for grilled meats, seafood, pita, rice bowls, or warm-weather meals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 -4 servings
Course: Salad / Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 118
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large cucumber or English cucumber thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons to 1/2 lemon juiced to taste
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves grated
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl or jar, mix together the Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, grated garlic, finely chopped dill, parsley, oregano, sea salt, and black pepper until the dressing looks smooth and the herbs are evenly spread through it.
  2. Thinly slice the cucumber and red onion. Add both to a mixing bowl, keeping the onion slices thin enough that they bend easily and do not overpower the salad.
  3. Pour the yogurt dressing over the cucumber and onion. Toss gently with a wide spoon or silicone spatula until the vegetables are lightly coated without bruising the cucumber slices.
  4. Serve immediately for the crispest texture, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir gently before serving and spoon off any extra liquid if the salad has released moisture.

Notes

  1. For the best texture, use an English cucumber or scrape the seeds from a regular cucumber before slicing.
  2. If making ahead, keep the dressing separate from the cucumber and onion until about 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
  3. Use thick, plain dairy-free yogurt for a dairy-free version. Choose an unsweetened option without a strong flavor.
  4. Cucumbers naturally release moisture as they sit, so a little liquid at the bottom of the bowl is normal.
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