Creamy Tzatziki Potato Salad Recipe

Creamy Tzatziki Potato Salad Recipe: Fresh Summer Side Delight

Creamy and tangy tzatziki potato salad bursts with Mediterranean flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Summer gatherings buzz with excitement when this vibrant side dish arrives at the table.

Crisp potatoes mingle with cool cucumber and zesty garlic, creating a refreshing twist on classic potato salad.

Greek-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing recipe that never fails to impress.

Dill and yogurt add a light, bright dimension that makes each bite incredibly satisfying.

Fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil complete this irresistible dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Let’s find out this delightful salad and transport your palate to the sunny shores of Greece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 5

Tzatziki Potato Salad Ingredients Checklist

For Potato Base:
  • Baby Red Potatoes: Creamy, tender base that absorbs flavors beautifully, choose small, firm potatoes with smooth skin and no sprouting.
  • Dill Pickles: Adds tangy crunch and bright acidity, select crisp pickles with robust flavor.
For Freshness and Aromatics:
  • Persian Cucumbers, Dill: Bring cool, herbal notes and bright green color, pick cucumbers that are firm and dill that's vibrant green with no wilting.
  • Red Onion: Provides sharp, zesty bite that cuts through creaminess, select onions with tight, glossy skin.
  • Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Delivers bright, citrusy punch and helps balance richness, choose firm, heavy lemons with smooth skin.
For Creamy Dressing:
  • Greek Yogurt, Mayonnaise: Creates luscious, tangy tzatziki-style sauce, pick full-fat yogurt for richest texture.
  • Garlic: Adds deep, pungent flavor, select firm cloves without green sprouts.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Sugar: Enhance and balance overall flavor profile, use freshly ground pepper for maximum aroma.
  • MSG (Optional): Boosts umami and rounds out taste, completely optional.
  • Smoked Paprika: Provides optional smoky, warm garnish for visual and flavor complexity.

Prep Tools That Make Chopping and Mixing

  • Large pot: Perfect for boiling potatoes in salted water.
  • Colander: Essential for draining potatoes thoroughly.
  • Large mixing bowl: Ideal for combining tzatziki ingredients and potatoes.
  • Fork: Helps check potato tenderness and mix ingredients gently.
  • Cutting board: Useful for chopping herbs or additional ingredients if needed.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for folding potatoes into the tzatziki dressing.

How to Toss a Tzatziki Potato Salad with Creamy Zip

  • Potato Preparation

Grab some fresh potatoes and get them ready for a tasty adventure. Boil them in salty water until they’re soft and easily pierced with a fork. Once they’re perfectly cooked, drain them completely.

  • Tzatziki Magic

Create a creamy, tangy sauce that will make your taste buds dance. Blend together yogurt, crisp cucumber, fresh garlic, and aromatic herbs in a spacious mixing bowl. The key is to mix these ingredients until they form a smooth, irresistible combination.

  • Salad Fusion

While the potatoes are still warm, gently fold them into the tzatziki mixture. The heat will help the flavors meld together, creating a mouthwatering potato salad that’s both refreshing and comforting. Ensure each potato piece gets a generous coating of the creamy sauce.

  • Serving Delight

Allow the salad to cool down to room temperature. This resting time lets the flavors develop and intensify, making each bite more delicious than the last. Serve as a perfect side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Add-On Tips Like Cucumbers, Dill, or Greek Yogurt Swaps

  • Replace traditional mayo-based potato salad dressing with tangy Greek tzatziki for a lighter, brighter Mediterranean-inspired twist.
  • Sprinkle fresh dill, mint, or parsley on top for extra flavor and a pop of green color that makes the dish look restaurant-worthy.
  • Serve this salad slightly warm or chilled – both versions taste incredible and offer different textural experiences for your taste buds.
  • Toss in grilled chicken, crumbled feta cheese, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying meal with added protein and substance.

Ways to Serve This Salad Cold and Crisp

  • Mediterranean Feast Companion: Pair this zesty potato salad with grilled lamb, chicken souvlaki, or fresh pita bread for an authentic Greek-inspired meal that transports your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean coastline.
  • Picnic Perfect Sidekick: Pack this cool, creamy salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, summer barbecues, or potluck events where fresh and tangy flavors will steal the show and impress your friends.
  • Protein Power Boost: Enhance the salad's nutritional profile by adding grilled shrimp, crumbled feta cheese, or diced rotisserie chicken to transform it from a simple side dish into a satisfying and protein-rich main course.
  • Quick Garnish Magic: Sprinkle some fresh chopped dill, mint leaves, or toasted pine nuts on top just before serving to elevate the presentation and add an extra layer of texture and aromatic complexity to the dish.

Store This Potato Salad and Keep It Picnic-Ready

  • Quick Chill Strategy: After mixing, spread the salad on a shallow dish to help it cool faster and prevent soggy potatoes.
  • Refrigeration Tip: Store tzatziki potato salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the crisp texture and fresh flavors intact.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the components separately and combine just before serving to maintain the best potato texture and tzatziki consistency.
  • Serving Temperature Sweet Spot: Enjoy the salad slightly chilled or at room temperature for optimal taste and creamy dressing experience.
Print
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Creamy Tzatziki Potato Salad Recipe

Creamy Tzatziki Potato Salad Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy Greek tzatziki potato salad blends Mediterranean flavors with classic comfort. Tangy yogurt, crisp cucumbers, and herbs elevate this refreshing summer side dish you’ll crave at every picnic.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) baby red potatoes, halved
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped
  • 0.5 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 0.5 cup diced red onion
  • 0.67 cup whole plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsps mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup freshly chopped dill
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt, divided
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 0.25 tsp MSG (optional)
  • Zest of 0.5 lemon
  • 2 tbsps lemon juice
  • Smoked paprika, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Potato Preparation: Rinse medium-sized potatoes thoroughly under cold water, removing all dirt and debris.
  2. Boiling Process: Submerge potatoes in a large pot with cold water and salt, bringing to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender.
  3. Cooling and Cutting: Drain potatoes in a colander, allow brief cooling, then slice into rustic bite-sized chunks while still warm.
  4. Tzatziki Creation: Whisk together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-blended.
  5. Salad Assembly: Gently fold warm potato chunks into the creamy tzatziki mixture, ensuring complete and even coating of each piece.
  6. Flavor Development: Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and intensify their tangy, herbaceous profile.
  7. Serving Presentation: Garnish with additional fresh dill or chopped chives, presenting a vibrant and refreshing side dish that celebrates Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Notes

  • Choose Waxy Potatoes: Select medium-sized, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best texture and ability to hold their shape during cooking.
  • Prevent Waterlogged Potatoes: Drain immediately after boiling and let steam evaporate to avoid a soggy, wet salad that lacks proper consistency.
  • Enhance Flavor Absorption: Cut potatoes while still warm to help them better absorb the creamy tzatziki dressing and maximize taste infusion.
  • Chill for Deeper Taste: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex and delicious dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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