The primary ingredient in the Greek dip tzatziki is yogurt.
Traditional Greek tzatziki uses strained yogurt, which gives the dip its thick, creamy texture and tangy flavor. Cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and herbs such as dill or mint are mixed into the yogurt.
Tzatziki is usually served cold as a meze, a side dish, or a sauce for gyros and souvlaki. Straining removes whey from ordinary yogurt, making the mixture thicker; this is why Greek-style yogurt is commonly used.
A frequent mix-up is confusing tzatziki with Turkish cacık or Balkan tarator. These related dishes also combine yogurt, cucumber, and garlic, but they may be thinner, soup-like, or prepared with different herbs and nuts. Sour cream can appear in modern substitutions, but it is not the traditional base.