Homemade Tzatziki Sauce (Dairy-Free)

This dairy-free tzatziki is cool, creamy, and packed with fresh garlic, lemon, and dill. Made with coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt, it’s tangy, refreshing, and works beautifully as a dip, sauce, or topping. It comes together in about 5 minutes and keeps in the fridge for up to a week. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Tzatziki is one of those sauces that makes everything better. This dairy-free version delivers all the flavor of traditional tzatziki without any dairy.

1. Just as good as the original. Coconut yogurt creates the same thick, creamy texture as Greek yogurt, and you honestly can’t tell the difference.
2. Fresh, bright, and garlicky. Lemon, dill, and garlic give this sauce that classic Mediterranean flavor. It’s cooling, tangy, and herbaceous in all the right ways.
3. Ready in 5 minutes. Grate the cucumber, squeeze out the water, mix everything together, and you’re done. It’s that simple.
4. Keeps for a week. Make a batch and use it throughout the week on bowls, wraps, grilled proteins, or as a dip for vegetables.
5. Works with everything. This tzatziki is what makes my Everyday Mediterranean Bowl feel complete, but it’s also incredible on falafel, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, lamb, or just as a dip for pita and cucumbers.

Ingredients Overview

You’ll find exact measurements in the recipe card below. Here’s how the ingredients work together.

For the tzatziki

1. Unsweetened coconut yogurt — The creamy base of the sauce. Make sure it’s unsweetened so the tzatziki stays savory. Look for a thick, Greek-style coconut yogurt for the best texture.
2. Cucumber (grated) — Adds freshness and a subtle crunch. Squeezing out the water is essential — otherwise, the tzatziki will be too watery.
3. Lemon juice — Brightens the whole sauce and adds that signature tangy flavor.
4. Sea salt — Balances the flavors and brings everything together. Adjust to taste.
5. Fresh dill (chopped) — The herb that makes tzatziki taste like tzatziki. Fresh is essential here — dried dill doesn’t have the same bright, grassy flavor.
6. Garlic (minced) — One clove adds a punchy, savory bite. If you love garlic, you can add a second clove.

How To Make Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Here’s how it comes together.

Step 1: Prep the cucumber. Grate the cucumber using a box grater or the grating attachment on a food processor. Place the grated cucumber in a paper towel or clean kitchen towel and squeeze as much water out as you can. Pro tip: this step is crucial. Cucumber is full of water, and if you don’t squeeze it out, your tzatziki will be thin and watery instead of thick and creamy.

Step 2: Mix everything together. In a bowl, combine the coconut yogurt, squeezed cucumber, lemon juice, sea salt, chopped fresh dill, and minced garlic. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 3: Taste and adjust. Taste the tzatziki and adjust the salt and lemon juice as needed. Some people like it more lemony, some like it more garlicky — make it yours.

Step 4: Chill or serve. You can serve it right away, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. The tzatziki will thicken slightly as it sits in the fridge.

Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead

Fridge storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The tzatziki may release a little water as it sits — just give it a quick stir before serving.

Make ahead tips

This is an excellent make-ahead sauce. The flavors actually deepen and improve after a day in the fridge, so don’t hesitate to make it a day or two before you need it.

Substitutions and Variations

1. If you don’t have coconut yogurt — Almond milk yogurt, cashew yogurt, or soy yogurt all work. Just make sure it’s unsweetened and thick.
2. If you’re not dairy-free — Regular Greek yogurt is traditional and works beautifully if you tolerate dairy.
3. If you want more garlic — Add a second clove of minced garlic for a punchier, more garlicky sauce.
4. If you don’t have fresh dill — Fresh mint or fresh parsley can work as substitutes, though the flavor will be different. Dill is traditional and worth seeking out if you can.
5. If you want it thicker — Use less cucumber, or squeeze the cucumber even more thoroughly before mixing it in.
6. If you want it tangier — Add an extra squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of white wine vinegar.

Health Benefits At A Glance

1. Coconut yogurt — Contains probiotics that support gut health, plus healthy fats from coconut that provide sustained energy.
2. Cucumber — High in water content, supporting hydration, plus vitamin K and antioxidants that support overall health.
3. Lemon juice — High in vitamin C, which supports immune function and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
4. Fresh dill — Contains antioxidants and has been traditionally used to support digestion and reduce inflammation.
5. Garlic — Contains allicin, a compound with natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that supports immune health.

Ways To Use This Tzatziki

1. On the Everyday Mediterranean Bowl — This tzatziki is what makes my Everyday Mediterranean Bowl feel complete. The cool, creamy sauce balances the warm spiced turkey perfectly.
2. As a dip for vegetables — Serve with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, or celery for a fresh, healthy snack.
3. On falafel or grain bowls — Drizzle over falafel, roasted chickpeas, quinoa bowls, or grain salads for a creamy, tangy finish.
4. With grilled chicken, lamb, or fish — Spoon over grilled proteins for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
5. In wraps or pitas — Spread inside a pita or wrap along with grilled vegetables, hummus, and greens.
6. As a salad dressing — Thin it with a little water or lemon juice and use it as a creamy dressing for green salads or grain bowls.