Can You Freeze Tzatziki Sauce?

Written By David Varnes

David Varnes is an Appliance Repair Professional with over 15 years of experience.

Tzatziki sauce is a delicious, refreshing Mediterranean dip that can be made with yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and mint. It’s perfect for dipping fresh pita bread or vegetables into, and it also makes a great topping for grilled chicken or fish.

But what happens if you make too much tzatziki sauce and don’t eat it all right away? Can you freeze tzatziki sauce, or does it need to be eaten fresh?

The answer is yes; you can freeze tzatziki sauce! To freeze tzatziki sauce, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and give it a good stir before serving.

What is Tzatziki?

Tzatziki is a Greek sauce or dip made with yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and mint. It is often served with pita bread or vegetables as a dip, or it can be used as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.

The origins of tzatziki are disputed, but most believe that it originated in the Ottoman Empire. It is thought to have spread to Greece during the Ottoman occupation of the country.

Nowadays, tzatziki is a popular sauce or dip throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In Greece, it is often served as an appetizer or meze and other dips such as hummus and taramasalata.

Tzatziki is made by grating or finely chopping cucumbers and mixing them with yogurt, garlic, mint, olive oil, and salt. The sauce can be served immediately or refrigerated for later.

How Long Does Tzatziki Last?

Tzatziki sauce will last in the fridge for up to one week, so if you’re not planning on freezing it, be sure to eat it within that time frame.

Whether you’re making tzatziki sauce from scratch or buying it at the store, be sure to enjoy it while it’s fresh! But if you have leftovers, don’t worry. You can always freeze them for later.

What Happens When You Freeze Tzatziki Sauce?

When tzatziki sauce is frozen, the yogurt and cucumber can separate, so it’s important to give it a good stir before serving. The sauce may also be a little thinner than when it was first made, but this is normal and won’t affect the taste.

Related: Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

How to Store Tzatziki Sauce?

To store tzatziki sauce, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for one week or in the freezer for up to two months.

When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the sauce overnight in the fridge and give it a good stir before serving. Enjoy!

Does Freezing Affect Tzatziki’s Quality?

Freezing tzatziki sauce will not affect its quality, but it may change the texture of the yogurt and cucumber. The sauce may also be a little thinner than when it was first made, but this is normal and won’t affect the taste.

How to Defrost Tzatziki Sauce?

To defrost tzatziki sauce, simply place it in the fridge overnight to thaw. Once thawed, give it a good stir before serving. Enjoy!

How to Tell if Tzatziki is Bad?

You’ll know tzatziki sauce has gone bad if it has a sour smell or taste, the yogurt has separated from the cucumber, or there is mold growing on it. If any of these things have happened, it’s best to throw them out.

How to Make Tzatziki Sauce?

To make tzatziki sauce, you will need:

  • Yogurt
  • Cucumbers
  • Garlic
  • Mint
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

First, grate or finely chop the cucumbers. Mix the cucumbers with yogurt, garlic, mint, olive oil, and salt. Tzatziki sauce can be served immediately or refrigerated for later.

If you make too much tzatziki sauce and don’t eat it all right away, don’t worry! You can freeze tzatziki sauce for up to two months. Simply place the sauce in an airtight container and store it in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and give it a good stir before serving.

Tips for Freezing Tzatziki Sauce 

Here are some tips for making tzatziki that is good for freezing. These tips will help make the sauce less watery.

  • Greek yogurt is more watery than regular yogurt. Full-fat Greek yogurt is thicker. You can strain plain Greek yogurt to thicken it if you don’t have full-fat Greek yogurt.
  • For your tzatziki sauce, try Persian cucumbers. They are crispier and have less water. You can slice the cucumber and sprinkle salt on it to help extract water from the cucumbers.
  • A good tip to make the cucumbers less watery is to grate them for half an hour before preparing the sauce. Season the grated cucumber with salt by placing it in a strainer.
  • Tzatziki sauce can become grainy once it has been frozen and thawed. You can thicken the sauce with heavy cream and mix well before placing it in the freezer.
  • Like most other foods that can be frozen, Tzatziki also changes in texture. You can freeze a small amount of tzatziki sauce and then defrost it to taste the difference.

Is Tzatziki Healthier Than Hummus?

Tzatziki and hummus are both dips or sauces made from healthy ingredients. They are both good sources of protein and fiber. However, tzatziki is lower in sodium than hummus.

Conclusion

Making tzatziki sauce can be tricky, but you can make a good sauce for freezing with a few simple tips. You can create a thicker and less watery sauce by using full-fat Greek yogurt, straining the yogurt, and grating the cucumbers.

Seasoning the cucumber with salt will also help to extract water. To prevent the sauce from becoming grainy, you can mix in some heavy cream before freezing.

Tzatziki sauce also changes in texture after being frozen, so it is best to freeze a small amount and then defrost it to see how it tastes.

By following these tips, you can make tzatziki sauce that is good for freezing and will still taste great. Give these tips a try the next time you make tzatziki sauce.

What are some of your tips for making tzatziki sauce? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy cooking!