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–+ servings
cacik is usually garnished with fresh mint and dill
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5 from 6 votes

Cacik

Cacik is a refreshing Turkish yogurt sauce made with cucumber, yogurt, mint, dill, and olive oil. Serve it thick like a dip, or loosen it with cold water for a lighter sauce to serve with kebabs, rice dishes, stews, or warm bread.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Turkish
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 portion
Calories: 128kcal
Author: Ayla Clulee

Ingredients

  • 18 oz thick strained yogurt or Greek yogurt (500 grams)
  • 2 small Turkish cucumbers (or 1 large cucumber)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill (finely chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon dried mint
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Peel and grate the cucumbers with the large size of your grater. Alternatively, you can leave the skin or finely chop the cucumber for a crunchier texture.
  • Add the fresh herbs and dried mint to the cucumbers.
  • Whisk the yogurt, salt, and olive oil together to make a smooth mixture. 
  • At this stage, if you want your cacik thin, more like a drink consistency, whisk in some cold water
  • Add the cucumbers, dried mint, finely chopped fresh herbs to yogurt, and mix thoroughly until smooth.
  • Transfer it to individual bowls and garnish it with some fresh herbs and extra virgin olive oil.

Notes

  • Use plain natural yogurt, thick strained yogurt, Turkish süzme yogurt, or Greek yogurt.
  • Do not use flavored or sweetened yogurt.
  • Small Turkish cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, or mini cucumbers work best, but English cucumber also works.
  • Remove large seeds from watery cucumbers before grating or chopping.
  • Grate the cucumber for a softer texture, or finely chop it for more crunch.
  • Add cold water slowly if you want a thinner Turkish yogurt sauce.
  • Make Cacik close to serving time if you want the cucumber to stay fresh and crisp.
  • If making it ahead, keep it refrigerated and stir well before serving.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Do not freeze Cacik because the cucumber softens and the yogurt can split.
  • Use plain dairy-free yogurt if you want to make a vegan version.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg