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    Home » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    Published May 23, 2016 · Updated Apr 5, 2018 · 5 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. See my disclosure policy.

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Creamy, tangy, thick, and delicious atop vegan gyros or to dip pita bread in - this vegan tzatziki sauce tastes just like the authentic stuff! Dairy-free yogurt and cashews replace the traditional greek yogurt used in tzatziki sauces, and that fresh cucumber taste still shines through. Taste is absolutely not sacrificed with this vegan recipe!

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe for Gyros or Salad

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    When I was a kid, we used to go to this delicious local Greek restaurant that served the best gyros. Oh, how I love gyros. And tzatziki sauce, of course (or "greek cucumber sauce" as I used to call it, before I knew how to properly pronounce tzatziki, ha!)

    Because I eat a more vegetarian/vegan diet now, I've swapped the lamb meat with chickpeas and make a delicious vegan tzatziki sauce.

    It's refreshing, light, tangy, and creamy.

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    Whereas traditional tzatziki is made with greek yogurt (or greek cheese), this vegan tzatziki sauce is made with cashews and plain, non-dairy yogurt (you can use plain coconut milk yogurt, soy milk yogurt, etc - SoDelicious even has a coconut milk greek yogurt.)

    Cashews are the perfect dairy alternative in most creamy sauces and dips (even in cheesecake!). They blend up so smoothly after they are soaked in water and the consistency is so similar. Combined with non-dairy yogurt, the texture of this tzatziki sauce is totally on point!

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    To make sure your vegan tzatziki sauce comes out thick and not watery, I recommend grating the cucumber and then soaking up the moisture between two towels. You can also chop or slice the cucumber, sprinkle with salt, wait 15 minutes for the moisture to draw out, and then pat with a towel. This method doesn't extract as much moisture as grating, though.

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

     

    This tzatziki sauce is the perfect dressing for any healthy vegan salad recipe - but especially a vegan gyro salad!

    Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

    Karissa Besaw
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Vegan
    Cuisine Greek

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cucumber
    • 1 cup non-dairy plain yogurt
    • 1 cup soaked cashews*
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice - about one large lemon's worth
    • 1 clove fresh garlic - quartered
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon fresh dill

    Instructions
     

    • First, grate the cucumber and pat dry with a towel to remove excess moisture. This will prevent the sauce from being too runny.
    • Add the grated cucumber and the rest of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more yogurt.
    • Store in a jar in the fridge.

    Notes

    * To soak cashews, place raw cashews in a bowl, cover with water, and let sit for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain out the excess water and add to recipe.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Vegan Recipes

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    • Vegan Chicken and Dumplings
    • Vegan Blueberry Pie
    • Vegan Sugar Cookies
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    About Karissa

    Hey! I’m happy you’re here! My name is Karissa and I’ve been cooking up delicious vegan food since going vegan in 2016. Not vegan and just want to eat more plants? We don't judge - everyone is welcome in our kitchen. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Meghan Slocum says

      May 23, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Karissa, what is the measurement on the cashews? Right now it just says "1 soaked cashews." Pretty sure that's a typo. 🙂

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        May 23, 2016 at 5:52 pm

        One cup! Thanks for catching that!

        Reply
    2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      May 23, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      I was just wanted some vegan tzatziki!! This is perfect!

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        May 23, 2016 at 11:45 pm

        Yay! It's so good.

        Reply

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