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    Home » Vegan Dressings and Spreads

    Best Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

    Date: May 18, 2020 | 7:04 pm, Connie Edwards McGaughy - 7 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. See AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE below.

    Jump to Recipe

    Best Vegan Tzatziki Sauce 🌱 We've transformed a classic Greek yogurt sauce into an easy & delicious vegan recipe made without yogurt, created instead with a creamy and refreshing fusion of cashews, cucumber, dill & tart lemon. Dairy free, GF & no added oil.

    overhead image of vegan tzatziki sauce and pita bread

    There's nothing quite like a dish of chilled tzatziki sauce served with soft, warm pita bread. Yum!

    easy vegan tzatziki sauce with pita

    The first time I tasted really great tzatziki, I was hooked.

    Years ago, I was working as an art consultant at a waterfront gallery in downtown San Diego. Nearby, was a popular family-owned Greek restaurant that offered a fantastic Greek salad served with warm pita bread and an amazing tzatziki sauce. Everyday, for 5-½ years (I'm not kidding), I ordered that fabulous salad combo. I loved their tzatziki so much, I would get two servings, saving one as my dessert. It was that good.

    This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from purchases at no additional cost to you.

    vegan tzatziki with pita

    When I became vegan, I pretty much resigned myself to the idea that tzatziki and I were likely no longer going to be a thing. There just weren't any plain vegan yogurts available that had the right taste or texture to replicate what I loved so much about traditional tzatziki. It wasn't until I learned how ideal raw cashews are for making rich, creamy yogurt-like sauces and cheeses, that I found a way to make tzatziki exactly how I like it.

    What is Tzatziki Sauce?

    vegan tzatziki in jars

    Traditional Greek tzatziki sauce, is made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill (sometimes mint) and olive oil. Served chilled, as an appetizer or starter with pita bread, tzatziki sauce has a refreshing, cool, tangy flavor. If you're wondering how to pronounce the word "tzatziki", phonetically it sounds something like this: "tsah-see-key." Imagine blending the t and z together. It's ok, just say it quickly and no one will know the difference.

    What do you put tzatziki sauce on?

    This easy vegan tzatziki sauce is perfect as an appetizer or as a condiment. I love serving it as a starter paired with a Greek salad, warm garlic bread and our Heavenly Hummus. You won't believe how good it is served with Vegan Mediterranean Roasted Veggies or with our Vegan Meatless Meatballs.

    Enjoy this healthy & delicious sauce with:

    • Baked potatoes
    • French fried or roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
    • Salads - as a dressing
    • Fresh, steamed or roasted veggies
    • Falafel or meatballs
    • Vegan spanakopita
    • Vegan dolmades (stuffed grape leaves)
    • Tofu
    • Steamed artichokes - as a dipping sauce
    • As a sandwich spread
    • With crackers, toasted baguettes or pita bread
    • Or anything else you can imagine!
    vegan falafel sandwich with tzatziki sauce

    Drizzle some on a falafel sandwich. It’s SO GOOD!

    How to Make the Best Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

    • ingredients for vegan tzatziki sauce

    Had I known just how easy it is to make the best vegan tzatziki sauce, I would have been whipping up batches of this years ago!

    Here are the kitchen tools you'll need:

    • Blender or food processor
    • Medium bowl
    • Measuring cup
    • Measuring spoons
    • Veggie peeler
    • Grater
    • Citrus juicer
    • Spatula
    • Knife
    vegan tzatziki sauce ingredients

    This recipe requires only a few basic ingredients

    • Cashews - raw
    • Cucumber
    • Fresh garlic
    • Fresh dill
    • Lemon juice
    • Vinegar
    • Water
    • Salt & pepper

    🥕NOTE: Be sure to use raw (not roasted) cashews. First thing you'll need to do is pre-soak your cashews. You can either soak them in water overnight or, a quicker method is to cover them in boiling water and allow them to sit for 1-3 hours. Be sure to drain and rinse the soaked cashews before using.

    soaking cashews in boiling water
    • soaking raw cashews in boiling water
    • soaked raw cashews in blender
    • blended cashews and cucumber

    Follow the simple instructions below to make this scrumptious sauce.

    vegan tzatziki sauce with dill

    This recipe makes roughly two pints of tzatziki sauce. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days - that is - if you don't gobble it up sooner!

    vegan tzatziki
    Bowl of best vegan tzatziki sauce with pita bread

    very vegan 🌱 very good

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it using stars in the comment section below the recipe. It helps other readers find it online & decide if they want to give it a try too!. Thanks a bunch!🥕

    overhead image of vegan tzatziki sauce and pita bread

    Best Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Soak cashews: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 71kcal
    Author: Connie 🥕
    Best Vegan Tzatziki Sauce 🌱 We've transformed a classic greek yogurt sauce into an easy & delicious vegan recipe made without yogurt, created instead with a creamy and refreshing fusion of cashews, cucumber, dill & tart lemon. Dairy free, GF & no added oil.
    Print Recipe
    US Customary - Metric

    Equipment

    • blender or food processor
    • Medium size bowl
    • Grater
    • Measuring cup
    • Measuring spoons
    • Citrus juicer
    • veggie peeler
    • kitchen knife
    • silicone spatula or scraper

    Ingredients

    • 1 - ½ C cashews raw, soaked - see notes below
    • 1 large cucumber peeled & grated
    • 2 cloves garlic minced - large cloves - see notes below
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt add more if needed to taste
    • 6 tablespoon lemon juice adjust as needed
    • 2 tablespoon white vinegar
    • ¾ C water use less if you want a thicker consistency
    • 4 tablespoon fresh dill minced
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground - to taste

    Instructions

    • Place pre-soaked cashews in blender or food processor. (See notes below for soaking methods)
    • Add water, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, salt & pepper.
    • Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy.
    • Add grated cucumber and dill. Pulse briefly or hand stir, just to combine.
    • Add extra salt, pepper, or lemon as needed, to taste.
    • Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Notes

    🥕Raw cashews need to be soaked before using them in this recipe. You can soak them in water overnight in the fridge, or, if you're short on time, you can boil them for 15 minutes on the stove. Rinse thoroughly under cold water and drain. I prefer to preserve more of the nutrients, so here's how I do it: Place cashews in a bowl, cover with with boiling water and allow them to sit for 1 - 3 hours. The longer they soak, the softer they'll get and the creamier your sauce. I find 1-½ to 2 hrs is enough time for this recipe. Be sure to throughly rinse (in cold water) and drain the cashews before adding them to the blender.
    🥕Depending on the size of your garlic cloves and how much you love garlic, adjust the quantity you use to your taste. Personally, I find 2 large cloves to be just right for me.
     
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? I love to see your photos!Mention @thecarrotunderground or tag #thecarrotunderground!

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it in the comments below. Sharing your experience helps others decide if they should give it a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carolyn Moore

      April 14, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      Do you deed the cucumber? Thanks

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        April 14, 2021 at 2:20 pm

        Hi Carolyn! Are you asking if I remove the seeds from the cucumber? I don't but you certainly can if you prefer.

        Reply
    2. Karen

      April 14, 2021 at 10:47 am

      Can the white vinegar be omitted?

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        April 14, 2021 at 12:17 pm

        Hi Karen! The vinegar helps offset the sweetness of the cashews and boost the flavor in the tzatziki sauce. In lieu of vinegar, I would suggest increasing the amount of lemon juice as needed, just a little at a time.

        Reply
    3. Connie Edwards McGaughy

      December 09, 2020 at 7:39 am

      5 stars
      I'm crazy about tzatziki sauce. This recipe is the ideal plant-based version of classic tzatziki - creamy, thick, lightly tart and so refreshing with fresh cucumber and dill!🌱

      Reply
    4. Esther

      September 07, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Can I use white beans instead of cashews

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        September 07, 2020 at 6:58 pm

        Hi Esther - I haven't tried substituting the cashews in this recipe before, so I'm not sure how it will work with white beans. My guess is it will be more like hummus in texture. I'd love to hear about it if you give it a try!🥕

        Reply

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