Garlic Yogurt Sauce

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5 from 5 votes
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My garlic yogurt sauce recipe is light, creamy, tangy, and refreshing. Made with simple ingredients, use it as a dip, dressing, and more! 

Craving more easy dips and sauces? Try my cottage cheese dip, sun dried tomato pesto, salmon dip, and eggplant dip next.

garlic yogurt sauce.

Need a simple sauce recipe to instantly elevate protein, veggies, or tortilla chips? Look no further!

My yogurt garlic sauce uses a handful of simple ingredients and takes seconds to make. The result is a tangy, fresh-tasting sauce that could make cardboard palatable. Okay, maybe that’s a bit much, but still…

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make garlic yogurt sauce
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More mouthwatering sauce recipes to try
  8. Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Simple. No fancy kitchen gear, no niche ingredients, nada. All you need is a bowl and kitchen staples. 
  • Perfect texture. It’s silky smooth with a subtle crunch from the chopped gherkins. 
  • Quick. Make it in seconds and have it on hand whenever you need it. 
  • Versatile. Use it as a dip, salad dressing, over gyro meat, or on lamb burgers. There are NO wrong answers!
garlic yogurt sauce in a lamb burger.

Ingredients needed

  • Dill. Using fresh dill is key in this recipe. Remove any yellow or brown leaves before chopping. 
  • Gherkins. AKA pickled baby cucumbers. They have a zing that cuts through the flavor of fresh dill wonderfully. 
  • Garlic powder. A must for aroma and flavor. If you want a more intense garlic taste, use freshly minced garlic.
  • Yogurt. I used plain yogurt. For a thicker, creamier sauce, use unsweetened Greek yogurt. 
  • Sour cream or mayonnaise. I am a big fan of sour cream and its thick, creamy consistency. If you don’t want extra tanginess, substitute it for mayonnaise.
  • Salt and black pepper. Just a pinch. 

How to make garlic yogurt sauce

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

garlic yogurt sauce ingredients in bowl.

Step 1- Combine ingredients. Whisk together all the ingredients until smooth. 

bowl of garlic yogurt sauce.

Step 2- Refrigerate. Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least an hour to thicken.

Serving ideas!

As I mentioned, there are no limits to what you can do with this sauce. Here are some ideas:

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Make a silky smooth sauce. I like the sauce’s consistency as is, but if you want it super smooth, blend it in a blender or food processor before serving.
  • Adjust the consistency. Use low-fat yogurt for a thinner, lighter sauce. You can also thin it out by adding a teaspoon of lemon juice or extra virgin olive oil. 
  • Finely chop the pickles. So they mix easily into the sauce.

Variations

  • Swap the fresh herbs. Try fresh mint, parsley, or cilantro instead.
  • Spice it up. Crank up the heat and add some smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or even za’atar spices.
  • Add fresh cucumber. Make a quick tzatziki sauce by swapping the pickles for grated cucumber. Squeeze the moisture out of the cucumber before adding it to the yogurt.

Storage instructions

To store: The remaining sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir it before serving, as there will be some separation. Yogurt-based sauces don’t freeze well. So, I don’t recommend freezing this sauce.

homemade garlic yogurt sauce.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make it vegan?

Yes! To make vegan yogurt sauce, use plant-based fermented yogurt and sour cream. 

Is this sauce healthy?

Yes, yogurt is chock full of vital nutrients like calcium, vitamin B12, and phosphorus. Because it is also high in protein and probiotics, it makes a wonderful addition to a healthy diet (source).

More mouthwatering sauce recipes to try

garlic yogurt sauce recipe.

Garlic Yogurt Sauce

5 from 5 votes
My garlic yogurt sauce recipe is light, creamy, tangy, and refreshing. Made with simple ingredients, use it as a dip, dressing, and more! 
Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 2 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup dill finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup gherkins finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Whisk together all the ingredients until combined. 
  • Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least an hour, to thicken.

Notes

STORAGE: The remaining sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir it before serving, as there will be some separation. Yogurt-based sauces don’t freeze well. So, I don’t recommend freezing this sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSodium: 228mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 0.1gVitamin A: 213IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 0.1mgNET CARBS: 3g
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Greek
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally published June 2023, updated and republished August 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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