If you’re looking for a savory yogurt sauce for chicken, salmon, potatoes, veggies, and more, then this Garlic Yogurt Sauce is your new go-to!

It takes 6 simple ingredients: thick Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, one garlic clove, water, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together in one bowl, thin it with a little water until it’s pourable, and it’s ready in 5 minutes. No blender needed. It’s creamy, tangy, a little garlicky, and completely crave-worthy.

Yogurt sauce is a Middle Eastern-inspired recipe, and honestly, it’s good on just about everything! Drizzle it over roasted potatoes, grain bowls, roasted chicken, roasted veggies, or use it as a dip for fresh pita or crunchy fresh garden vegetables. We love this sauce drizzled over salmon.

Why You’ll Love This Yogurt Sauce

• Quick & easy: This recipe only takes 5 minutes to make. No blender, just whisk and enjoy.
• High-protein and no added sugar: Plain Greek yogurt gives you a satisfying dose of protein, plus live cultures.
• Delicious on everything: Use it as a dressing, dip, spread, or drizzle. It’s the perfect finishing touch for chicken, salmon, wraps, veggies, potatoes, and more.
• Make once, use all week: It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the flavor gets even better as it sits.

Yogurt Sauce Ingredients

• Plain Greek yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove
• Water
• Fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Optional: Some people add extra virgin olive oil. I typically don’t because it’s wonderful with the simple ingredients above.

See the printable recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

Yogurt Sauce Ingredient Notes

Greek Yogurt

Rich, creamy, and full of protein. Any thick, unflavored and unsweetened yogurt works, but I prefer whole milk (aka full fat or 5%) Greek yogurt for the best flavor and consistency. If you use regular plain yogurt, it’s already much thinner, so you’ll need little or no water.

Fresh Lemon Juice

Lemon adds brightness and balances the garlic. Fresh lemon juice tastes the best, so skip the bottled kind here. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.

Garlic

Just one whole garlic clove is enough to give bold flavor. Fresh is best. Grate it on a microplane or use a garlic press so it melts right into the sauce with no chunky bites. The garlic flavor gets stronger the longer the sauce sits.

Water

Water thins the sauce to the perfect pourable consistency. Add it a little at a time so you can stop when it’s just right for how you’re using it: thicker for a dip, thinner for a drizzle.

Salt & Black Pepper

Salt brings out all the flavors. I use fine sea salt, but any salt works. Freshly ground black pepper adds a little bite.

How to Make Garlic Yogurt Sauce

1. Whisk it all together: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic (minced, grated, or pressed), salt, and pepper. Use a bowl big enough that you can really whisk.
2. Thin it out: Add 3 to 4 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.
3. Taste and adjust: Add a bit more lemon or salt if needed.
4. Serve: Serve with warm whole wheat pita bread or fresh garden vegetables, or drizzle it over your favorite dinner.

See the full recipe in the printable recipe card below.

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 chopped 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. It makes a great dairy-free base.

What to Serve with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

My two favorite ways to use it are on chicken and salmon. For chicken, spoon it over sliced roasted or grilled chicken right before serving, or put a bowl on the table for dipping. For salmon, drizzle it over the fillets and finish with fresh dill and an extra squeeze of lemon. Here are more ideas:

• Mediterranean dishes: Serve with falafel, shawarma, gyros, grilled lamb skewers, or my Greek Chicken Meatballs.
• Grilled or roasted veggies: Drizzle over roasted carrots, zucchini, eggplant, or roasted 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 my Easy 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, or set it out next to a bowl of homemade hummus.
• 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.

How to Store Yogurt Sauce

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.

Making it ahead for a party or meal prep? Make it the morning of or the night before, and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Print

Yogurt Sauce FAQs

What is yogurt sauce made of?

At its simplest, it’s plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, thinned with a little water. Fresh herbs like dill, mint, or parsley are a nice addition, but you don’t need them.

What’s the difference between yogurt sauce and tzatziki?

Tzatziki is a Greek yogurt sauce made with grated cucumber and usually dill. This garlic yogurt sauce skips the cucumber, so it stays smooth and pourable for drizzling. If you want it more like tzatziki, stir in some finely chopped cucumber.

How long does yogurt sauce last in the fridge?

Up to 3 days in an airtight container. A little liquid may separate on top, which is normal. Stir it back in before serving.

Can you freeze yogurt sauce?

I don’t recommend it. Yogurt tends to separate and turn grainy after it thaws, and this sauce only takes 5 minutes to make fresh.

How do I make yogurt sauce thicker?

Whisk in another spoonful or two of Greek yogurt. If you’re making it for a dip, start with less water and add it a teaspoon at a time.

What is yogurt sauce good on?

Almost everything savory! My favorites are salmon, chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, and wraps. It’s also a great dip for warm pita and fresh veggies.

If you make this garlic yogurt sauce, let me know what you served it with and leave a star rating in the comments!