tzatziki

noun

(d)zäd-ˈzē-kē 

(t)sät-ˈsē-,

(t)sat-ˈsē,

tat-ˈsē

: a Greek yogurt sauce made with cucumbers and garlic

In Cyprus, I learned how to mix olive oil, thick yogurt, some minced garlic and chopped cucumbers to make a quick, refreshing tzatziki dip …

—Nancy Harmon Jenkins

Examples of tzatziki in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The accompanying tzatziki sauce is made with Greek yogurt, fresh mint, and cucumber. —Outside Editors, Outside Online, 5 Apr. 2023

Sprinkle the crunch on the lamb and tzatziki and serve the red horseradish cream and mint chimichurri on the side. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2023

For the uninitiated, tzatziki is popular in the Mediterranean and Middle East. —Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 28 July 2023

To plate, spread the tzatziki across a serving dish. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2023

Pork, beef or lamb are all welcome in a warm pita with tzatziki and fresh vegetables. —Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 28 July 2023

Order this: The Greek meatballs are delicious, especially when dipped in a creamy tzatziki sauce. —Mary Colurso | [e-mail], al, 10 July 2023

My real recommendation this week is tzatziki sauce. —Michael Calore, WIRED, 29 June 2023

So go make tzatziki, then make cucumber lemonade with the offcuts. —Georgina Hayden, Bon Appétit, 29 June 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Modern Greek tzatzíki, borrowed from Turkish cacık, earlier (17th century) cacıh̯ "kind of edible herb," of obscure origin

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above