Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Sauces, Dressings and Seasonings Vegan Tzatziki

by Lisa Bryan

42 Comments

Updated Apr 28, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Jump to RecipeJump to Video

Vegan tzatziki is a cashew-based, dairy-free tzatziki that tastes amazingly similar to the traditional version.It’s light, creamy, fresh, and filled with cucumber and dill. And believe me when I say, it’s so good it will easily fool non-vegans as well.

Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (2)

Tzatziki has been a long time favorite of mine. It’s an ultra refreshing dip that’s a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. But if you’re vegan or looking for a dairy-free option, you’re in luck. With the help of raw cashews, this vegan tzatziki comes together in a snap.

What’s In Vegan Tzatziki?

If you’ve been following Downshiftology for a while, you’ve probably noticed my love for cashews. They’ve got this magical ability to transform into creamy, dairy-like recipes such as my vegan caramel cheesecake or vegan alfredo sauce.

In this recipe, we’re swapping greek yogurt for cashews. But don’t worry, it won’t taste like a puddle of blended cashews. In fact, I’d say it tastes just like traditional tzatziki but just a smidge lighter. Here’s what you’ll need to make it.

  • Cashews – Make sure to use raw cashews and not roasted and salted.
  • Water – To blend with the cashews for the ultimate creaminess.
  • Lemon Juice – For that bright pop fresh flavor.
  • Cucumber – The star ingredient in tzatziki.
  • Garlic – Just one garlic clove creates a lot of flavor when it’s blended.
  • Dill – Chopped dill adds herb-y goodness.
  • Salt – A small amount for seasoning.

Vegan Tzatziki Couldn’t Be Any Easier To Make

All you need for this recipe is a blender, sieve, and a little time to chill.

  1. Soak. Make sure to soak your cashews overnight. Then drain and rinse well the day of.
  2. Blend. Add the cashews, water, lemon juice, and garlic to a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes, until it’s nice and creamy.
  3. Squeeze. Place the shredded cucumber in a fine mesh sieve and press it down to remove the liquid. You can also use a nut milk bag.
  4. Stir. In a mixing bowl, add the cashew mixture, drained cucumber, dill and salt. Then give everything a stir.
  5. Chill. Let the mixture chill for about 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (3)

Ways To Use This Dip

This dip is perfect as a fresh and easy snack. But you can use it for just about anything and any meal.

  • Appetizer: Spread it onto my falafel flatbread, or serve with tabbouleh.
  • Snack:Dip it with fresh veggies,seed crackers, plantain chips, or cassava flour tortilla chips.
  • Main Meal: Drizzle on falafels, Buddha bowls, or roasted vegetables, like broccoli.

Storing and Make Ahead Options

For the best texture and flavor, let this chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour before serving. This gives it time to cool after blending and lets the flavors meld together.

Have leftovers? Just store it in an airtight container for up to3-4 days in the fridge.

Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (4)

More Healthy Vegan Snacks

Don’t look past a few of these tasty, plant-based snacks. They’re filling, have tons of flavor, and will please any crowd.

  • Baba Ganoush
  • Mango Salsa
  • Best Ever Guacamole
  • Classic Hummus Recipe
  • Baked Yucca Fries

Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (5)

Vegan Tzatziki Recipe

5 from 19 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Vegan tzatziki is a cashew-based, dairy-free dip that tastes just like the real thing. It's light, creamy, and filled with fresh ingredients. Watch the video below to see how I make it!

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked 4-6 hours (or overnight)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 medium cucumber, peeled and shredded
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Soak your cashews overnight. Then drain and thoroughly rinse them.

  • Blend the cashews, water, lemon juice and garlic in a high-powered blender for 1-2 minutes, or until creamy.

  • Place the shredded cucumber in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and press down to remove excess liquid. Alternatively, you could use a nut milk bag to sqeeze out the liquid.

  • Pour the cashew mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the drained cucumber, dill and salt, then stir together to combine.

  • Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Lisa’s Tips

  • Note that the mixture will thicken a bit after it’s fully cooled.
  • These are the raw cashews I buy in bulk for all of my vegan sauce recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: dressing, sauce

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Keyword: Dairy-Free Tzatziki Sauce, Vegan Tzatziki, Vegan Tzatziki Recipe, Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

You May Also Like

Caesar Dressing

Horseradish Sauce

Brisket Dry Rub

Cranberry Sauce

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

Is Trader Joe's vegan tzatziki gluten free? ›

Is it Gluten Free? Yes! We believe this product is gluten free as there are no gluten ingredients listed on the label.

How long does tzatziki last? ›

Tzatziki sauce should be kept in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator when you're not using it. As long as it's stored properly, you can expect homemade tzatziki to last about three to four days. This will depend on how fresh the yogurt was when you made the sauce.

What do you eat tzatziki with? ›

Tzatziki is good friends with grilled and roasted meats, especially juicy lamb chops. Serve it up with a crunchy fattoush salad – a combination of torn pitta, cooling cucumber, ripe tomatoes, sweet lettuce and refreshing mint – for a bonus hit of fresh, summer flavour.

Is tzatziki healthy? ›

Tzatziki is not only a tasty, multi-use sauce, it's also a smart food pick. Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk.

How long does vegan tzatziki last? ›

Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator (where it will thicken) up to 5 days, sometimes longer depending on freshness of yogurt. This Tzatziki is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with Greek-inspired recipes like these Traditional Vegan Falafel, Tabbouleh Salads, Shawarma Sandwiches, or Buddha Bowls.

Is Trader Joe's tzatziki good? ›

VERDICT: Trader Joe's tzatziki had a lovely, refreshing taste and a mellow garlic flavor that I found simply irresistible.

Is tzatziki good for gut health? ›

Improved Gut Health

Yoghurt is the chief ingredient of all tzatziki recipes, making it a probiotic-rich food containing beneficial bacteria.

Is tzatziki or hummus healthier? ›

Health-wise, tzatziki contains only 54 calories per a 45 gram serving; it also comes with only 8 grams of carbohydrates and a negligible amount of sodium. Which to Pick? If you make your determination based on health concerns, then hummus is clearly the less healthy dip, with high sodium being a particular concern.

How to know if tzatziki is bad? ›

After opening, tzatziki should be kept refrigerated and ideally consumed within one to two weeks, as recommended by food safety guidelines. Recognizing signs of spoilage in tzatziki sauce, such as an off smell, unpleasant taste, or unusual texture, is crucial, irrespective of the printed expiration date.

How do Greek people eat tzatziki? ›

Greeks usually eat tzatziki with bread, it is also used for the famous souvlaki wrapped in a pita and ofcourse in gyros. Almost all Greeks love dipping bread and Greek fries in tzatziki that is served at every traditional restaurant.

Is tzatziki anti inflammatory? ›

Tzatziki sauce is perfect healthy snack, especially thanks to protein-packed greek yogurt, shredded cucumber and anti-inflammatory garlic. It's as simple as it sounds: yogurt cucumber sauce!

What is baba tzatziki? ›

This Greek dip is made from yogurt, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, garlic, & spices, often served with pita bread as the first course of a meal, with black olives on top. It is one of the standard components of the Turkish kebab or Greek Souvlaki and gyros.

Is tahini or tzatziki healthier? ›

Tzatziki is lower in fat compared to tahini but still offers a creamy texture and satisfying taste. It is a good source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth.

Can you eat tzatziki alone? ›

Yes, Tzatziki sauce can very safely be consumed by itself as it is merely a combination of Greek yogurt with cucumber, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and a variety of aromatic and crunchy herbs.

Are carrots and tzatziki healthy? ›

The combination of tzatziki's protein-rich yogurt and the crispness of carrot sticks not only satisfies hunger but also provides a satisfying crunch. This snack is not only low in calories but also offers a good balance of macronutrients, including protein and fiber, contributing to a sense of fullness.

Are gluten free Joe Joes vegan? ›

The retailer frequently rolls out new, innovative flavors such as Matcha, Mango, and Candy Cane. This summer's latest iteration is this sweet and tangy Strawberry Lemonade flavor. But, buyer beware: the gluten-free Joe-Joe's are not vegan (they contain dairy).

Is Trader Joe's gluten free safe for celiacs? ›

Trader Joe's website states “If you see “Gluten Free”on a Trader Joe's product, this means that the product has been validated to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten (or made in a certified gluten free facility). Individuals with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity must avoid gluten for their health.”

Does tzatziki have gluten? ›

IS TZATZIKI DIP GLUTEN FREE? When you make it from scratch, tzatziki dip is naturally gluten-free! I avoid buying pre-made, package tzatziki dip, as these can contain gluten additives or may have risks of cross-contamination. Plus, homemade dips and sauces always taste so much better.

Is Trader Joe's vegan feta cheese gluten free? ›

This product may or may not be gluten free as it lists 1 ingredient that could contain gluten depending on the source.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5754

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.