Easy Yogurt Sauce (with Garlic & Lemon)
If you’re looking for a savory yogurt sauce for chicken, potatoes, veggies, and more, then this Garlic Yogurt Sauce is your new go-to!
With just a handful of simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and fresh garlic, it comes together in five minutes and instantly elevates any dish. Yogurt sauce is a Middle Eastern-inspired recipe, and honestly, it’s good on just about everything! Drizzle it over grain bowls, grilled veggies, roasted meats, or use it as a dip for fresh pita or crunchy fresh garden vegetables.
All you need is thick (unflavorted) yogurt, fresh garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Herbs are optional and welcome! It’s creamy, tangy, a little garlicky, and completely crave-worthy.
Garlic Yogurt Sauce Benefits
- Quick & Easy: This recipe only takes 5 minutes to make. No blender, just whisk and enjoy.
- Healthy & high-protein: Plain yogurt delivers probiotics and a satisfying dose of protein without any added sugars.
- Delicious on everything: Use it as a dressing, dip, spread, or drizzle. It’s very versatile and the perfect finishing touch for so many meals like chicken, salmon, wraps, veggies, potatoes, and more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Greek yogurt: Rich, creamy, and full of protein. Any thick, unflavored/unsweetened yogurt works. I prefer whole milk (aka full fat or 5%) Greek yogurt for the best flavor and consistency.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the garlic. Fresh lemon juice tastes the best.
- Garlic: Just one whole garlic clove is enough to give bold flavor. Fresh is best.
- Salt & black pepper: Brings out all the flavors. I use fine sea salt, but any salt works.
- Water: Thins the sauce to the perfect pourable consistency.
Optional: Some people add extra virgin olive oil. I typically don’t because it’s wonderful with the simple ingredients above.
See printable recipe card for full ingredient amounts.
How to Make Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Whisk it all together: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic (minced, grated, or pressed), salt, and pepper.
- Thin it out: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, a little at a time, whisking until the sauce is smooth and pourable. It should be the consistency of thick ranch dressing—able to drip off a spoon, but still creamy. Adjust the thickness to your liking with more or less water.
- Taste and adjust: Add a bit more lemon or salt if needed.
- Serve: Serve with warm whole wheat pita bread or fresh garden vegetables. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips & Variations
- Add fresh herbs: Stir in chopped fresh dill, fresh cilantro, fresh parsley, or fresh mint for a Mediterranean twist. A sprinkle of dried herbs such as oregano would also be a fun variation.
- Make it tzatziki-inspired: Stir in finely chipped cucumber for a tzatziki twist.
- Spice it up: A pinch of cayenne or Aleppo pepper adds a subtle kick.
- Top tacos: Use lime instead of lemon and use it as a taco topping in place of sour cream.
- Make it vegan: Use thick, unsweetened plant-based yogurt like cashew or coconut. Makes a great a great dairy-free base.
- Storage: Store your Garlic Yogurt Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making it even more delicious the next day. Just give it a quick stir before using because some natural separation is normal.
Perfect Pairing Ideas for Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Mediterranean dishes: Serve with falafel, shawarma, gyros, or grilled lamb skewers.
- Grilled or roasted veggies: Drizzle over roasted carrots, zucchini, eggplant, or cauliflower.
- Protein bowls: Perfect on top of quinoa, brown rice, or farro bowls with chicken or salmon.
- Seafood: Use as a cool, creamy contrast to grilled shrimp or baked fish. We love this sauce drizzled over salmon.
- Wraps and sandwiches: Spread it on pita wraps, flatbreads, or as a creamy layer in veggie sandwiches.
- Dip: Use it as a dip for pita chips and fresh veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and peppers.
- Salads: Drizzle it on a salad for a creamy addition.
- Potato dishes: A great dip or drizzle for roasted potatoes, sweet potato fries, or baked potato wedges.
Print
Description
This creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce is tangy, fresh, and full of flavor. Made with Greek yogurt, lemon, and garlic, it’s perfect as a dip, drizzle, or dressing for everything from grain bowls to grilled veggies. Ready in less than 5 minutes!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a bowl big enough that you can really whisk the water into the yogurt well.
- Slowly whisk in the water until the sauce is smooth and pourable.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve right away or store in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
