This homemade Garlic Yogurt Sauce is the perfect complement to a great variety of appetizers and mains. Healthy & fresh with an ever-so-slight tanginess, you’ll love this dipping sauce!
Looking for a little something-something to top off your savory recipes?
Look no further!
Whether using this Greek yogurt sauce for zucchini sticks, chicken spiedini or chickpea fries, you are going to love how easy this recipe comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator.
All you need is greek yogurt, garlic, chives, lemon juice and salt.
Instructions
The first thing we are going to do is rinse and dry a small handful of chives. Then chop them up to get the equivalence of 1 heaping tablespoon.
We also need to mince or grate 1 clove of garlic.
Then, in a small bowl, combine ½ cup of greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of chopped chives, 1 clove of garlic (minced or grated), 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
That’s it!
Cover and refrigerate until needed. If desired, garnish with more chopped chives before serving.
What else can I use this dip for?
- Pan-fried foods. While these tend to feel richer, denser like they pack a punch, the sauce is slightly tangy and light. The flavors complement one another so well! Great with potato croquettes, or salmon croquettes (pictured above).
- Grilled vegetables.
- Air fryer potatoes.
- Salad dressing.
The truth is that this subtle and fresh sauce pairs well with almost anything.
Is this sauce healthy?
Yes, especially when you compare it to other dipping sauces made with mayonnaise and heavy cream.
Yogurt, the main ingredient, provides some protein. It also gives you a healthy dose of nutrients like calcium, vitamin B-2, vitamin B-12, and phosphorus. [Source]
So dip, and double-dip (gasp!) away – this healthy garlic dip won’t go against any New Year’s resolutions.
Tips
- Replace the chives with mint, dill, parsley or even tarragon.
- Brush it on fish before baking or grilling.
- Great as a spread for burgers.
- Amounts can easily be doubled.
- Replace the lemon juice with lime juice.
- Pairs especially well with ultra-spicy food.
- Use roasted garlic for another taste experience.
Recipe origins of Garlic Yogurt Sauce
There is a cooking gene in my family, and I think my daughter, Sara, inherited it.
Lucky me!
Sara created this condiment spontaneously one day when something she was cooking turned out a little bit too spicy, even for her.
She liked it, so she continued making it whenever her hand slipped on those red chili peppers.
Once I tasted it, I thought it would be a great addition to other foods, too – not just spicy stuff.
I think that foods that combine two or more flavors from sweet, salty, bitter, and sour end up with the most pleasant, complex tastes! So if you try your yogurt sauce and find it to be a little one-dimensional, think of what flavor characteristic it is missing, and try adding that.
You won’t believe how versatile this recipe is. Let me know in the comments below how you adapted it to your tastes, and what recipe you combined it with!
I can’t think of an easier, more versatile, or healthier sauce!
Give it a try and see for yourself.
Happy experimenting!
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THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this basic garlic sauce, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup greek yogurt plain
- 1 garlic clove minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon chives fresh, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Video
Notes
- Replace the chives with mint, dill, parsley or even tarragon.
- Brush it on fish before baking or grilling.
- Great as a spread for burgers.
- Amounts can easily be doubled.
- Replace the lemon juice with lime juice.
- Pairs especially well with ultra-spicy food.
- Use roasted garlic for another taste experience.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on January 7, 2018, and republished on June 6, 2020, with updated content and photos. Thanks for sharing.
Laura says
I love this and thanks for all the ideas on how to use it. A few times a quick yogurt sauce has save my too , from extra spicy curry or chili. It is something that is always in my fridge.
Maria says
Yogurt sauce to the rescue, lol! Appreciate your comment Laura, thanks for stopping by 🙂
Markus Mueller | Earth, Food, and Fire says
I love yogurt and have been trying to ‘cook’ with it more. This saucy dip will be making an appearance at snack time soon! Haha looks so good!
Maria says
It has quickly become our go-to sauce, hope you like it! Thanks so much for stopping by Markus 🙂