Cacik -Turkish Yogurt with garlic and cucumber

Cacik, Turkish yogurt with cucumber and garlic is done in 10 minutes and is a great addition to any summer meal. It can be used as a soup appetizer or as a dip, much like Greek tzatziki.

Cacik Turkish yogurt recipe

Why do we love cacik recipe?

Whenever we are having a Turkish or Middle Eastern meal this Turkish yogurt cucumber dip will not be missed. We absolutely love this recipe and I hope you will like it too.

• Easy to make. Cacik is a simple recipe that can be prepared by anyone, even if you have never cooked before.
• Protein-rich. Cacik is a great source of protein and probiotics. The addition of lemon, garlic, cucumber, and herbs makes this simple dish a great addition to your diet.
• Versatile. Cacik is a staple in Turkish cuisine and can be served in many different ways. Try it as a cold soup on a hot summer day or as a tzatziki-style dip with roast lamb or shawarma chicken.
• Delicious. Cacik is a simple dip with a lot of flavors. It is light and refreshing and makes a great addition to any meal. It is perfect for hot weather or as a complement to spicy or savory dishes.

What is the difference between Cacik and Tzatziki?

Yogurt-based dips are popular everywhere from the Middle East to the Central Asia and Cacik and Tzatziki most likely have the same origin, but while these delicious dips are quite similar they also have a couple of differences:

• The main difference between these two delicious cucumber dips is that Cacik is Turkish and Tzatziki is Greek. 
• Both dips have yogurt, cucumber, and garlic as their main ingredients. However, the seasoning is a little different. Both use fresh herbs, however, the unique rich flavor in Cacik comes from the dry mint.
• Some people will say that cacik is made with diced cucumber while tzatziki is made with grated cucumber. I have been to Turkey many times and always enjoyed cacik served with grated cucumber. 

Ingredients for Cacik

Only a few ingredients are needed to make this delicious Turkish recipe, but because there are so few, make sure they are of the best quality you can find. The ingredients are:

• Thick creamy yogurt. You will need one cup of any plain yogurt, organic if possible. I like using Greek yogurt as it provides a great amount of protein.
• Cucumbers. Make sure you use fresh cucumbers that are firm and crisp to make cacik. I like Lebanese also called Persian cucumbers, but you can use regular English cucumbers or telegraph cucumbers as well.
• Garlic. This recipe requires 2 garlic cloves, finely minced.
• Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed is the best. 
• Fresh herbs. Cacik is typically made with dill, but you can use any other fresh herbs you prefer. I used fresh mint leaves to make this recipe.
• Dry mint. This ingredient can’t be omitted, dry mint gives the dip its authentic flavor.

See the detailed ingredient list in the recipe card below.

How to make Cacik Turkish Yogurt Dip

To make cacik place all ingredients in a small bowl and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add more salt, dry mint or a splash of extra virgin olive oil. There are no rules on how to season this delicious dip. Transfer it to a serving dish and enjoy!

How to serve

Cacik can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are a couple of ideas for you to try:

• Enjoy it the traditional way as part of a Turkish meze. Serve it with TAVADA PATATES SALATASI, Turkish potato salad, roasted eggplant, and some fresh pita bread (gluten-free if needed).
• Cacik goes really well with grilled meat and vegetables. It makes a perfect addition to my easy-to-make chicken shawarma.
• Use it as a yogurt sauce in burgers, wraps, and sandwiches.
• Cacik can be a part of a well-balanced breakfast. Serve it with poached eggs to make Turkish eggs. 
• Serve it as soup.

Cacik – Turkish yogurt soup

Cacik is sometimes served as a chilled soup. This is a light and refreshing dish for a hot summer day. To make cacik soup, add half a cup of cold water to the yogurt dip and mix until you have a creamy consistency. Serve in small serving bowls with crusty bread on the side.

Variations

While cacik tastes absolutely delicious as it is, you might want to try and customize it to your liking. 

• Give it some heat. Add some aleppo pepper to add some spiciness.
• Feta cacik. Add some crumbled feta cheese to the dip to give it a salty kick.
• Add more fresh herbs. Herbs, such as fresh dill,  parsley, thyme, and sage are all great ways to add some more refreshing flavors.

How to store cacik?

Cacik can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. If some water has separated from the yogurt, simply give it a good stir and enjoy. If the yogurt has thickened, add a splash of water. However, remember that cold yogurt has a thicker consistency.

I do not recommend freezing this dip.

If you liked this homemade yogurt dip recipe, give me a star rating and leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!