is tzatziki vegan

Is Tzatziki Vegan, Vegetarian & Dairy Free?

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Tzatziki is a popular greek dip, sauce in Southeast Europe and the Middle East cuisine, and is enjoyed in many parts of the world. It is a great source of protein and probiotics, which can help support digestive health. But is it vegan friendly? Let’s find out.

In this article, we’re going to examine Tzatziki ingredients and get you the answers you need to determine  if it is suitable for vegans.

Tzatziki, also known as tarator or cacik, is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches and wraps to salads.

Tarator was the name of a dish made of ground walnuts and vinegar in the Ottoman Empire.

Now, let’s check the ingredients inside tzatziki.

What is Tzatziki made of?

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including  :

Salted strained yogurt or diluted yogurt mixed with cucumbers, olive oil, garlic, salt, sometimes with vinegar or lemon juice, and herbs such as dill, mint, parsley and thyme.

Is Tzatziki Vegan?

Unfortunately, NO. Traditional tzatziki is not vegan because it contains dairy yogurt and sometimes other dairy products such as sour cream.

Yogurt is a dairy product made by fermenting milk with a yogurt culture.

However, there are vegan versions of tzatziki that are made with non-dairy yogurt, such as soy or coconut yogurt, instead of dairy yogurt.

Is There a Vegan Tzatziki?

Yes. There’s a Vegan Tzatziki recipe! Creamy, refreshing and, best of all, even though its dairy-free, it tastes just like the original!

You just need to replace the dairy yoghurt with dairy free yogurt(like coconut yogurt), and the rest is the same as the original Tzatziki.

There’s also some vegan tzatziki made with silken tofu, that makes a suitable substitute for dairy in many vegan dessert recipes, keeping sweets lower in fat and calories with little loss of flavor.

Here’s a vegan Tzatziki recipe.

Vegan Tzatziki recipe:

Here’s a simple recipe for vegan tzatziki:

Recipe By Assil
Course: Starter Cusine:Mediterranean Difficulty:Easy

Servings

30 minutes

Preparing Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

10 minutes

Calories

200 kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 1 cup plain non-dairy yogurt (such as soy, coconut, or almond yogurt)

  2. 1 medium cucumber, peeled and grated

  3. 2 cloves garlic, minced

  4. 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

  5. 1 tbsp lemon juice

  6. Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTION

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, combine the non-dairy yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, and lemon juice. Mix well.

  2. Step 2

    Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir again to combine.

  3. Step 3

    Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

  4. Step 4

    Before serving, give the tzatziki a quick stir and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

NOTES

    Serve the tzatziki as a dip with fresh vegetables, pita bread, or chips, or use it as a sauce for sandwiches or wraps.

Is Tzatziki Vegetarian?

Tzatziki sauce is made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt and vinegar.

It has an animal product, the yogurt, but it has no animal flesh. So it would be vegetarian if one is a Lacto-Vegetarian, a diet that includes vegetables as well as dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.

Therefore Tzatziki is vegetarian.

Is Tzatziki Dairy-Free?

No. Tzatziki is not dairy free.

It contains dairy yogurt as a main ingredient.

Related Posts:

Is Tzatziki Gluten Free?

Yes, tzatziki is gluten free. It does not contain any gluten ingredient.

Which makes Tzatziki safe for people with Celiac Disease or a gluten allergy.

Please note that while we take care to make sure the information displayed on our website is correct, recipes are regularly changed.

So always double check before eating at restaurants.

Final Thoughts:

Tzatziki is not vegan friendly as it is made with ingredients that are not plant based such as dairy yogurt.

Jennifer
Jennifer
Jennifer is a fervent animal lover, and a dedicated vegan. She has been a prolific contributor to the veganoga.com community for many years, offering insights, advice, and personal stories that have inspired many in their journey towards a plant-based lifestyle.

Jennifer's love for animals sparked her journey into veganism. Over a decade ago, she made the conscious decision to stop consuming animal products, a choice that she believes not only benefits her health, but also contributes to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.

Since then, she has remained firmly committed to her vegan lifestyle, constantly expanding her knowledge about plant-based nutrition, ethical consumption, and sustainable living.

Her journey into veganism has also been coupled with a love for writing. Jennifer has used this passion to share her vegan experiences, to educate others about the benefits of plant-based living, and to advocate for animal rights. Her work on veganoga.com reflects this passion, providing readers with thoughtful articles, nutritious recipes, and engaging stories that offer a deeper understanding of the vegan lifestyle.

Jennifer is much more than just a vegan and a writer; she is a beacon of compassion, courage, and conviction. Her commitment to the vegan lifestyle, her love for animals, and her passion for writing have all come together to create a powerful voice in the vegan community. Through her work, she continues to inspire and educate others about the many benefits of veganism.
Jennifer
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