5 Amazing Substitutes for Yogurt in Tzatziki Sauce
You may think that Greek yogurt is irreplaceable when it comes to tzatziki, but I have good news for you; there are some delicious substitutes, and they work great. Imagine this, you have everything already done, and all that is left to do is whip up your tzatziki. You open the fridge, and there’s no yogurt, don’t despair; I got your back. So, what are the best substitutes for Greek yogurt in tzatziki sauce?
Sour cream, mayo, crème fraiche, ricotta, cream cheese, and cashew cream are the best substitutes for yogurt in tzatziki sauce.
Even if you have everything for the classic tzatziki, it can never hurt to have a few more options. I love to experiment with new flavors, so I’ve discovered a few ingredients that work amazingly well. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about substituting Greek yogurt in tzatziki sauce.
Sour Cream
Sour cream is the best substitute in this case. It is creamy, offering a rich consistency and smooth texture, and it pairs perfectly with the rest of the ingredients. It offers the same tang and the same sharpness of flavor that this sauce needs.
You don’t need to make any adjustments and add sour cream in the same amount as you would usually do. The seasoning can remain absolutely the same, as sour cream reacts with the seasoning the same way as yogurt.
Mayo
For a fattier, richer, and smoother tzatziki sauce, use mayo instead of Greek yogurt. When I make this tzatziki alternative, I reduce the salt amount, and I recommend you do the same because mayo is naturally saltier. You won’t get the same tang, but you can make up for it by adding extra lemon juice.
You can leave the rest of the seasonings the same. So feel free to add the same amount of the same seasonings as you would with yogurt.
Crème Fraiche
Crème fraiche is a type of sour cream, so it makes an excellent replacement. It is slightly softer and gentler-flavored than sour cream, so if the tang is what you are after, you will need to up the ante by adding extra lemon juice.
Crème fraiche is a little thinner than sour cream, so the sauce may not be as thick, but on the other hand, yogurt is thinner than sour cream, too, so you may just like the thinner consistency. In terms of seasonings, you don’t need to make any adjustments and just add everything in the standard amounts as you usually would.
Ricotta
Since ricotta is a type of cheese, you can expect a slight tang and a grainy consistency. If you want to smoothen up the texture, add a bit of olive oil to the ricotta and press it gently with a fork to break the cheese lumps. It will definitely give your tzatziki sauce a whole new image and a more rustic dimension.
It is definitely an excellent Greek yogurt replacement for tzatziki, but be mindful of the amount of salt you add. Go slowly and gradually, as ricotta is naturally saltier compared to yogurt.
Cream Cheese
Dense, thick, and very rich, cream cheese is a delicious alternative in this case, but consider thinning it up with a few drops of milk. You can expect some tang, but not the same as the one yogurt offers, so don’t be stingy with the lemon juice.
I recommend not using salt because cream cheese is pretty salty. You can also reduce the amounts of the rest of the seasonings, especially garlic because cream cheese is very flavorful, and adding a lot of seasoning can easily overwhelm your palate.
I would love to hear all about your favorite yogurt substitute in tzatziki! Write to me in the comments!
