Calories in Tzatziki Sauce

Although tzatziki sauce is much healthier than many other kinds of sauces, still you should be aware of the calories in tzatziki sauce. Read on, to know all about tzatziki sauce calories.

Considering that tzatziki sauce is only a condiment, it has still managed to become one of the most popular food of Greek cuisine. Tzatziki sauce is traditionally served with gyro which is a kind of sandwich made with pita bread stuffed with roasted lamb meat, sliced tomatoes and onion rings.

Nowadays, tzatziki sauce is served with a number of meat, poultry and sea food dishes. Tzatziki sauce is made with grated cucumber which is mixed with thick Greek yogurt. For flavoring, grated garlic, shallots, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and olive oil is used.

As with any other sauces, there is no single way to prepare tzatziki sauce and ingredients as well as cooking methods differ according to the restaurants it is being served in. Tzatziki sauce is one of the most important component in any meat dish as it helps in complementing the flavors of classic Greek food.

And if you think about it, a yogurt based sauce like tzatziki makes a perfect accompaniment to spicy gyro, as it helps in cooling the palate. Tzatziki sauce calories varies according to the brand of sauce you are purchasing.

The table given below, is a ready reckoner for you, so that you can make an informed decision regarding which brand of tzatziki sauce to purchase.

Opaa! Tzatziki Sauce
Calories - 60
Serving size - 2 tablespoons

Skotidakis Tzatziki
Calories - 50
Serving size - 2 tablespoons

These were the calories in different brands of tzatziki sauce. As you can see, calories in tzatziki sauce is not too high. But as with any other condiment, you should have it in moderation. Want to make you own tzatziki sauce at home?

Well it is not very difficult and all you need are some basic ingredients to prepare it. Follow the recipe given below to make a healthy tzatziki sauce with a twist.

Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 4 cucumbers
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small shallot, grated
• 4 tablespoons dill, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt, to taste

Method

Peel and grate the cucumbers and spread the grated cucumbers on a tray lined with a muslin cloth. Now lightly season it with salt and cover it with another clean muslin cloth. Leave the cucumber aside for 5-7 minutes and then extract all the juice from the cucumber by rolling up the muslin cloth.

In a medium-sized bowl, take ½ cup of Greek yogurt and whisk it gently with a fork. When the mixture is light and fluffy, add the cayenne pepper, grated shallot, lemon zest and grated garlic. Mix all the ingredients together until everything is well combined. Next, add the chopped dill and the grated and drained cucumber.

Give the mixture a good stir and check seasoning. Add a tablespoon of good quality organic honey and extra virgin olive oil. Combine the sauce well and add more salt if required. Your tzatziki sauce is ready. It tastes great when served cold with fresh souvlaki or gyro.

Tzatziki sauce is a nutritious and delicious sauce and is also low in calories. You can choose from any good brand of tzatziki sauce and use it as an accompaniment with burgers and hotdogs too. It can also be served with a variety of finger foods and it makes a much healthier dip than those made with cheese or cream.