This creamy Talatouri, a beloved Cypriot twist on tzatziki sauce, brings together cool yogurt and fresh mint in perfect harmony.
Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile Mediterranean dip adds a refreshing touch to any meal. With only 86 calories per serving, it’s a guilt-free addition to your appetizer spread or a delightful accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables.
The combination of traditional Greek and Cypriot flavors creates a uniquely satisfying sauce that’s both healthy and irresistible.
Ingredients for Cypriot Talatouri
- Cucumber: 1 medium-sized, peeled and deseeded
- Garlic: 2 cloves, finely minced for authentic flavor
- Greek Yogurt: 500g strained, ensures thick and creamy texture
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1/4 cup, adds richness
- Lemon: Juice of 1 fresh lemon, adds brightness
- Fresh Mint: 2-3 tablespoons chopped, provides refreshing taste
- Salt: A pinch, to enhance flavors
Instructions for Perfect Talatouri
- Prepare Cucumber: Peel, deseed, and grate cucumber. Season with salt and let rest for 10 minutes to release moisture.
- Remove Excess Water: Wrap grated cucumber in a clean towel and squeeze well to remove excess liquid.
- Blend Garlic Base: If using blender, combine olive oil and minced garlic until smooth for better integration.
- Mix Components: In a large bowl, combine processed cucumber, garlic-oil mixture (or plain minced garlic and oil), yogurt, lemon juice, and chopped mint.
- Season: Add a pinch of salt and mix until well combined.
- Chill: Refrigerate until serving time. Always serve cold for best taste.
Storing & Make-Ahead Tips
Keep your talatouri fresh and tasty in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The garlic flavor gets stronger over time, which many people love!
If you want to make it ahead, prep everything but wait to add the mint until just before serving – this keeps its bright green color and fresh taste. Give it a quick stir before serving to bring all the flavors back together.
Simple Variations
While this is a classic Cypriot recipe, you can play around with it! Try using fresh dill instead of mint for a different twist. If you like it extra garlicky, add another clove. For a thicker sauce, drain your yogurt through cheesecloth for an hour before mixing. Want it lighter? Use low-fat Greek yogurt – it’ll still be creamy and delicious!
Serving Ideas
Talatouri is so versatile! Serve it as a cool dip with warm pita bread or fresh vegetables. It’s amazing drizzled over grilled meats, especially lamb or chicken souvlaki. Try it as a spread in sandwiches or wraps.
My favorite way is to dollop it on roasted vegetables – the cool, creamy sauce with hot veggies is just perfect! For a lovely presentation, drizzle a little olive oil on top and sprinkle with extra mint.
Quick Tips
Getting the cucumber really dry is super important – it makes your sauce thick and creamy instead of watery. If you’re short on time, you can use a fine grater and press the cucumber against a mesh strainer.
Love a smooth sauce? Feel free to blend everything together instead of mixing by hand. Just remember to add the mint last so it stays fresh and bright green!
Talatouri (Cypriot tzatziki sauce with mint)
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Grater
- Kitchen towel
Ingredients
- 1 whole cucumber skin and seeds removed, grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 500 g strained Greek yogurt 18 ounces
- 1 whole lemon juiced
- 2-3 tbsp fresh mint chopped
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- To prepare this traditional Cypriot talatouri sauce recipe, remove the skin and the seeds of the cucumber and grate it into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave aside for 10 minutes.
- Wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of the excess water.
- Assemble the Talatouri sauce. In a bowl, add the cucumber, the minced garlic and olive oil, the yogurt, juice of 1 lemon, mint, a pinch of salt and blend, until the ingredients are combined. Store in the fridge and always serve cold. (Alternatively, if you have a blender, pour in the olive oil and garlic and blend until combined. Then mix with the rest of the ingredients using a spoon. This will help the garlic to mix better with the rest of the ingredients).
- Prepare this traditional Talatouri sauce for your friends and family and serve as a delicious dip with some warm pita breads aside, or as a sauce for Greek-style souvlaki. Enjoy!