Best Vegan Tzatziki Recipe - Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Sauces, Dressings and Seasonings Vegan Tzatziki

by Lisa Bryan

42 Comments

Updated Apr 28, 2023

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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!

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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 low Fodmap? ›

Trader Joe's Tzatziki Dip With Cucumbers, Lemon Juice, Dill & Garlic. This product has 2 ingredients that are high FODMAP and 1 ingredient that may be high FODMAP.

What to pair with tzatziki sauce? ›

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.

What does tzatziki taste like? ›

Some might think of this dip as something similar to sour cream, but if you're wondering what tzatziki tastes like, it is slightly tangy, garlicky, and cool due to the use of cucumber and fresh herbs.

Is tzatziki ok for IBS? ›

Clearly not – but most symptoms of IBS start in the gut and having a dip made with lactose free Greek yoghurt will help keep it calm and symptom free if you have lactose intolerance! Tzatziki is so refreshing and great for long hot summer days and a suitable accompaniment to barbecue meats and fish.

Are Trader Joe's Gone Bananas low in FODMAP? ›

Dark Chocolate Covered Banana are Low FODMAP with Fig instantly. Simply scan a product's barcode and the Fig app will flag any ingredients that aren't Low FODMAP.

Is tzatziki healthier than hummus? ›

Yes, tzatziki is considered a healthier dip than hummus and sour cream. It contains several vitamins, a good amount of protein, and fewer carbohydrates and calories. The fat content of tzatziki is low too, which is not the case with other dips.

How do you make tzatziki not runny? ›

You can thicken it by placing a piece of cheesecloth over the top of a wide mouthed jar and holding it in place with some rubber bands. Fill the cheesecloth with your sauce, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The excess water will drain out and the sauce will be thicker.

Is cava tzatziki vegan? ›

The VRG: Does the yogurt in your Tzatziki Sauce and the Eggplant & Red Pepper Dip contain any animal-derived enzymes or cultures? Cava: The yogurt in our dips & spreads is manufactured using non-animal enzymes and cultures.

Is tzatziki good for your gut? ›

Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipes Are Great For Your Microbiome

Preparing this homemade sauce provides an impressive array of beneficial microbial benefits due to the inclusion of freshly sourced ingredients that still contain the hidden supercharged probiotic bacteria that can help to boost our health and immune system.

How do Greek people eat tzatziki? ›

It is served as a cold appetiser (meze), a side dish, and as a sauce for souvlaki and gyros sandwiches and other foods.

How to make tzatziki sauce Jamie Oliver? ›

Combine with the garlic mixture, then stir through the yoghurt until evenly distributed. Finely chop the dill and mint leaves, then fold through the yoghurt mixture along with a squeeze of lemon juice and the dried mint (if using). Season with salt to taste.

What do Americans call tzatziki? ›

The word “tzatziki” is a loanword from modern Greek that has come to define a very specific sauce in Greek American cuisine. It's a yogurt-based sauce that is often served as a dip, dressing, or entire side dish. However, what we know of as the tzatziki today went through a lot of evolution in many different cultures.

Why does my tzatziki taste bitter? ›

Your main ingredient – the cucumber – is often the culprit. To avoid this, make sure that you choose the right variety: English and Persian cucumbers have very little, or no, bitterness. Also sample a slice before grating and avoid using the ends as this is where the bitter compounds will be most concentrated.

How to tell if tzatziki has gone bad? ›

If it's starting to spoil, it will often smell sour or have a strong ammonia-like odor. Whenever you notice tzatziki sauce has a strange smell, it's safest to throw it away. Tzatziki sauce that has been stored too long will also sometimes get moldy.

Is vegan tzatziki dip from Trader Joe's gluten free? ›

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

Is Trader Joe's Greek yogurt low in FODMAP? ›

No. This product is not low FODMAP as it lists 1 ingredient that is likely high FODMAP at 1 serving.

Is Trader Joe's vegan butter low FODMAP? ›

Is it Low FODMAP? This product may or may not be low FODMAP as it lists 2 ingredients that could be moderate or high FODMAP depending on source or serving size.

Is vegan yogurt low FODMAP? ›

What about plant based yoghurt? We tested coconut yoghurt and soy yoghurt and found that a standard serve of each are low and high FODMAP, respectively.

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