Super Easy Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
jump to recipeGoing out to eat and trying to eat organic, non gmo is hard. Especially when the majority of restaurants use the basic, cheapest foods possible to create extremely expensive dishes. That has always boggled my mind. Like how can a person go to high end restaurant, eat food that’s genetically modified, can possibly cause cancer, and pay 40 or 60 bucks a plate to inevitably, get sick.
When you dedicate yourself to eating a plant based diet on top of organic and gmo free it can become overwhelming and at times so hard to attain. I totally get it, I’ve been there. You think to yourself what am I going to eat tonight. Trust me, there are nights I don’t feel like cooking or doing much of anything after a days work and a day full of studies. I have like 3 places, which are my go to places to eat out because they have either organic, non gmo foods, or have items that have been purchased at local farms that do not use gm seeds, with a wide variety for plant based eaters like myself.
Cooking and prepping meals can, at times, acquire a lot of work. I know I don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen, barefoot and not pregnant (LOL). Most of my vegan cheese sauces and dips I make in bulk because they last a good 5 days and you can pair them with anything. Like this Super Easy Vegan Tzatziki Sauce!
Before I was plant based I use to house some tzatziki sauce also known as cucumber yogurt sauce. I would eat it by itself, on my gyros, anything really. It’s one of those condiments that just goes with everything, and it’s so refreshing. Now if you think the “regular” version is bangin’, then you will love my vegan version because not only is it good for you, it’s even better than “the real thing” (whatever that is, antibiotics and hormones?). This Super Easy Vegan Tzatziki sauce is going to blow your freakin’ mind. My hubs was shoveling heaping spoonfuls of it into his mouth when I first made it. Obviously the more you make things like this, the better at them you get because you know just the right amount of seasoning you like. Everything is done with a little trial and a little error, ya know what I mean.
Two staple ingredients in this are cashews and cucumbers. I always soak my cashews either overnight or for 2-4 hours. However, if you don’t want to spend the time soaking, or if you forgot to soak, you can flash soak them. That’s when you heat up some water and let them sit in warm to hot water for about half hour. Soaking nuts, seeds, or grains are really good for you, but that’s a whole other post. For now what soaking does for this recipe particularly is it softens the cashews. The softer the cashews the creamier the sauce, ya feel me.
Aren’t cucumbers so beautiful! 😍
Don’t be shy with the cucumbers either. I used a whole english cucumber, partially because I was eating it along the way while I was slicing it up. But you want to actually dice the cucumber. You can leave the skin on or off, the choice is yours. Either way, it won’t affect the flavor.
Hubba Hubba 😋
Look how creamy and super dreamy that is. I know right!?…Totally.
I used my small food processor for this recipe but you can use your blender too. What you’ll need to do is add all ingredients except the herbs. So cashews, tahini, garlic, hemp seeds, lemon juice, water as necessary, and a little salt/pepper. I add the water by the tablespoon until I reach my desired consistency. I count usually 7 tablespoons.
Once it’s all super amazeballs creamy, transfer the sauce to a bowl and add all the spices, herbs, or seasonings. You can use fresh or dried herbs. I used what I had on hand which was dry. So you’ll need, parsley, dill, and mint if you have it. If you don’t have the mint not to worry it tastes just as good without it. I don’t always have mint and I make this regardless.
Once you have all that ready to go, mix all ingredients until well combined. It will resemble like a spinach dip. Adjust the seasonings to your liking. I usually add a bit more salt and pepper.
Now that you’ve mixed, licked, and loved…it’s time to dig in! Enjoy this with traditional recipes like Baked Vegan Falafel, Mediterranean Infused Bliss Bowls, or anything else vegan you want to get your sticky little hands on. This Super Easy Vegan Tzatziki Sauce will be good with crackers, pretzels, served up at a party with fresh veggies, I man the possibilities are endless people.
Recipe adapted from NutritionStripped
Super Easy Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cashews soaked for 2-4 hours
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 7 tbsp of water (give or take)
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 tbsp dill
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1/2 tbsp mint (optional)
- salt/pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a processor or blender place cashews, lemon juice, tahini, garlic cloves, hemp seeds, water, salt/pepper, and run until smooth and creamy, scrapping down the sides as necessary.
- Remove from processor or blender and place mixture in a large mixing bowl.
- Add all other ingredients, diced cucumbers, dill, parsley, mint (optional), and more salt/pepper to taste.
- Adjust seasonings as desired. Serve with salads, falafel, or just simply as a dipping sauce for veggies. Enjoy!
See...Easy Peasy!
- Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- If you don't want to wait 2-4 hours to soak the cashews, you can flash soak them by boiling up water and letting them sit in warm to hot water for 30 minutes to a full hour.
This is a very nice recipe! I love pure foods with great flavors and textures to enjoy in place of the original recipes that use dairy products or the store-bought jars of sauces with less than healthy additives. Thank you!
OH MY!!!! This sauce is totally amazing! I made some kale falafels and a salad with this sauce. My hubby and I are so thankful to you. We had the most delicious lunch. Will definitely be going through your other recipes to try some others out.
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Are the cashews in the falafel sauce raw or roasted?
They are raw.
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10/10 THANK YOU!
Do you need to blend in processor after adding the herbs and cucumbers?
Do you need to blend after adding the herbs and cucumbers?
No, I just fold those ingredients right in!
Thank you so much for this recipe! It’s exactly what I was looking for. I wanted tzatziki sauce for stuffed grape leaves, but I can’t have yogurt. I was wondering whether it could be done with cashew cream as a base, and found your blog. Thanks!
Hey Lexi! This is my go to for dips! And grape leaves sound so amazing right now. I’m glad you enjoyed it! Xx 🙂
Just tried this sauce and it is amazing and somehow manages to get more amazing after sitting in the fridge for a couple of hours. I had to remind myself that it does not include dairy because it is just so creamy and yummy!
Cindy, great to hear! And you’re so right, the longer it sits the better it gets. Glad you enjoyed it. Xx
Can this tzatziki sauce be frozen? I’ll be the only one eating it so I probably can’t use it all within 5 days
Hi Janelle, I’m not sure as I never froze it. Just cut the batch in half to make less and leave the rest in the fridge. Keep me posted.
Loved this recipe- super easy and yummy! Do you know how long I can store this in the fridge for?
Hi Harlee! So glad you loved it! It will last up to 5 days in the fridge in an air tight container. 🙂
Delicious! For some reason, my grocery store didn’t have any raw cashews, so I substituted a can of coconut cream for the cashews and water. It was still lovely. I’m thinking this could also work with dairy free yogurt. Love how adaptable the recipe it is. Definitely a keeper!
Dee this is awesome to hear and I love how you used coconut cream in place of the cashews. I’ll have to give that a go! Xx
Thank you for tHe tip. My daughter has a tree nut allergy so we are nut free cooking which makes vegan recipes thought sometimes.
Hi Arrica, Oh I’m sure because a lot of vegan cooking/baking requires nuts. Is she allergic to coconut?
This sauce is amazing. Complimented our homemade sourdough pita and falafel well. Thanks for the recipe! (Made without hemp seeds as I didn’t have any)
Hi Briana, this is so awesome to hear glad you loved it! Xx
Thanks for sharing, my local vegan rest. has a sauce that looks just like this. I can’t wait to try this..
It’s so good…Enjoy! Xx
Are the measurements for spices referring to fresh or dried spices?
Hi Melissa, I used dried spices, but you can use fresh too!
Can’t wait to try this! I assume the cashews are raw (not roasted) and unsalted? Thanks!
Hi Lara, thanks so much! And yes, the cashews are raw! Xx
Are you supposed to drain the cashew water or add to the mixture?
You have to drain the cashews and preferably give them a quick rinse. 😊
Do not be fooled by the one cup of cashews ~ this recipe makes a nice large quantity of dip once the nuts are whipped creamy. This is a delicious condiment for my falafel. I had to make a double batch of falafel to make sure I could use it all.
Thank you for the nutritious recipe. The hemp seeds are a nice added ingredient for protein and healthy fats.
Hi Andrea,
Awesome to hear thank you so much! And yes it does make a lot but it last fairly long in the fridge so you don’t have to use it all up right away. 😊
Hey! I made some cashew sour cream and have tons left so I was wondering if I can just add the other ingredients to that??
Hi Nikki, yes of course, just adjust the seasonings/taste to your liking.😊
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Wow. Made this with a vegan gyro I’ve made a ton of times. This tzatziki with my seitan gyro made it taste like real meat. So awesome. I made it for a pot luck and several omnis said it was the best tzatziki they’d ever had. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe.
Yochi, that is so awesome to hear thank you! What is your gyro recipe? I would love to try it myself!! Thank you again. Xx
What’s the role of the hemp seeds in this? I don’t have any on hand, so I’m wondering if I can omit them or sub them with something else? Thanks!!
Hemp seeds add to it’s flavor and they are high in protein. But you can omit if you don’t have them on hand. 😊
What is a good sub for hemp seeds?
You can omit them all together.😊
OMGGGG I LOVE this so fresh and healthy to 🙂 and I LOVE your blog and insta Im totally following you on everything right now haha
If you like Swedish decor check out my blog inredningsvis.se 🙂
Have a fab weekend dear!
LOVE Maria Inredning – it’s Swedish for decor
Hi, and thank you so so much for the positive feedback! I will def check out your blog. Xx
This is AWESOME!!! I’m new to being fully plant based (been vegetarian for 7 years) and finding healthy, tasty vegan recipes has been a challenge. Seriously. Super tasty. Thank you…
Hi Katy,
Thanks so much I’m so glad you’re enjoying all the recipes!! 😊
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