Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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Cacik is a Turkish yogurt and cucumber dish that's usually served as an appetizer or side dish. It's ready in 15 minutes and calls for just a few ingredients.

Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (1)

My love for Turkish cuisine is deep and old, as I moved to Istanbul years ago before I came to the US. We have some lovely Turkish recipes on the blog such as Turkish simit, Lahmacun (Turkish pizza), creamy cucumber salat with yo and Turkish white bean salad which are all very tasty and a great way to introduce a new cuisine to your family.This classic Turkish recipe called cacik is a favorite that I cannot wait to share with you!

Table Of Contents:
  • What Is Cacik?
  • Yogurt In Turkish Cuisine
  • Ingredients For Cacik
  • How To Make Cacik
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Turkish recipes
  • Step-by-Step Recipe

What Is Cacik?

Cacik, pronouncedja-jikis a Turkish yogurt and cucumber dish that's very common in almost all regions in Turkey. It's a simple dish that you often see in restaurants, especially self-service ones calledLokanta. There are similar dishes in the area such as Greek tzatziki and Persian mast-o khiar however each recipe has its own twists and uniqueness.

This Turkish yogurt and cucumber dish is perfect for warm summer days and is a great addition to a Turkish table.

Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (2)

Yogurt In Turkish Cuisine

Turkish cuisine calls for yogurt in so many savory recipes such as cilbir Turkish eggs, ayran (Turkish yogurt drink) and yayla corbasi Turkish yogurt soup and it's also common to serve yogurt with pasta, rice and kabobs. It's also common to use yogurt in salads such as this creamy cucumber salad with dill.

There are different types of yogurt available in Turkish supermarkets such as goat or sheep's milk yogurt but the most common yogurt is made form cow's milk.

Ingredients For Cacik

Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (3)
  • Yogurt: Whole milk yogurt works best for this recipe. You can use Greek yogurt or regular yogurt. If you own an instant pot, check out my tutorial on how to make yogurt in instant pot.
  • Cucumbers: It's best to use fresh cucumbers that are firm and bright in color. I always use mini cucumbers or Persian cucumbers because of their fresh flavor and very tiny seeds.
  • Garlic: This is optional. However. I always use it because it gives a great flavor.
  • Dried mint: Dried mint is a staple in Turkish cuisine. It has a stronger aroma and flavor compared to fresh mint and mixes better with the yogurt.

How To Make Cacik

Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (4)
  1. Start by whisking the yogurt to make sure it's smooth. Then slowly add the water and keep whisking until smooth and runny.
  2. Add in grated cucumber (no need to squeeze out the excess water in the cucumbers) and minced garlic.
  3. Finish by adding enough salt and dried mint to the yogurt and cucumber.
  4. Divide between bowls and pour some extra virgin olive oil over them if desired.
  • If it's thick like tzatziki or Persian mast-o khiar, then it can be served as a side dish, dip or sauce with some bread such as lavash or homemade pita.
  • If the cacik you made is more runny like the one in this recipe, then same as Persian abdoogh khiaror gazpacho, it should be served as an appetizer in a bowl with a spoon, and maybe a side of bread.

You can serve this delicious Turkish yogurt and cucumber as an appetizer or a side dish in a bowl. It's common to serve it with dishes like karniyarik (stuffed eggplant),beef shish kabob, zucchini fritters (mucver) or chicken shawarma. It also works great with Turkish bulgur or other grains such as rice.

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Storage

Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To serve, give it a nice stir and top with olive oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is cacik different from the Greek Tzatziki?

Even though tzatziki and cacik are very similar (both have the base of cucumber and yogurt), they are different from each other. Tzatziki uses dill whereas cacik uses dried mint and tzatziki is thicker than a traditional cacik. It's common to add a bit of lemon juice to the Greek version.

How thick should cacik be?

If you're wondering about the consistency of cacik, you're not alone. There are different consistencies out there and what you do depends on your preference. The recipe that we have here has 1 cup of water so it has the consistency of soup or gazpacho which is how Turkish restaurants usually serve it.
That being said, some tend to leave out the water and make this dish as thick as tzatziki. That works too if you would like to serve it as a dip.

Do I need to grate the cucumbers?

We usually make this recipe with grated cucumber however I have also tried it with chopped cucumber in some restaurants and that works too.

Can I use non-dairy yogurt?

You can definitely use non-dairy yogurt in this recipe as long as it's not flavored.

Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (6)

More Turkish recipes

  • Creamy Cucumber Salad With Yogurt
  • Turkish Sauteed Spinach Recipe
  • Turkish Smoky Eggplant Salad Recipe
  • Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (10 minutes!)

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

Step-by-Step Recipe

Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (11)

Cacik Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

Cacik is a Turkish yogurt and cucumber dish that's ready in 15 minutes and is so easy to make. You can serve it as an appetizer or side dish.

5 from 18 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Turkish

Servings 4 servings

Calories 118 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 Persian cucumbers or mini cucumbers
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon dried mint
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Whisk the yogurt in a large bowl to make sure it's smooth. Add water to the yogurt and whisk until it's completely incorporated.

  • Grate the cucumbers in another bowl and if they're too watery, squeeze out the excess water. If they're not too watery, add the directly to the yogurt and water.

  • Mix well and add garlic, salt and dried mint. Taste and add more salt if needed.

  • Chill cacik yogurt and cucumber in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

  • To serve, divide it between 4 bowls and top each with a little bit of olive oil.

Video

Notes

  • Use mini or Persian cucumbers for this recipe because they have very small seeds. English cucumber has bigger seeds which would change the texture and flavor.
  • If you would like to have a thicker cacik, leave out the water.
  • You can store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Give it a nice stir before serving.
  • You can use non dairy yogurt for this recipe as long as it's not flavored.

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 352mgPotassium: 281mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley

    Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (16)
    So delicious! The flavor is perfect. I will definitely make this again.

    Reply

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Cacik Recipe Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between tzatziki and cacik? ›

Unlike tzatziki, where the cucumber is grated, cacik is usually made with finely chopped cucumbers. This gives the dip (or soup) a more interesting bite, rather than the mushy consistency often resulting from grating cucumbers. It also allows the flavour of the cucumber to come through in a better way.

What is cacik made of? ›

Cacık is a traditional Turkish dish made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and various herbs such as mint or dill. It is often served as a cold appetizer, dip or side dish in Turkish cuisine. The yogurt used in traditional cacik is typically strained to make it thicker and creamier.

What is a popular Greek sauce made of yogurt and cucumber? ›

Tzatziki is made simply with yogurt, drained cucumber, olive oil, fresh herbs (usually mint or dill), garlic, lemon juice and salt. It's a refreshing chilled sauce, dip or spread.

What is the Turkish name for tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki (Greek: τζατζίκι, tzatzíki, Greek: [d͡zaˈd͡zici]), also known as cacık ( Turkish: [dʒaˈdʒɯk]) or tarator, is a class of dip, soup, or sauce found in the cuisines of Southeastern Europe and West Asia.

How long does cacık last in the fridge? ›

Cacik is best enjoyed the day it is made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

Is tzatziki Greek or Turkish? ›

Tzatziki is Greek, no other country can claim the most famous Greek food in the world (it's a few centuries older than Greek Mousaka)!!! The Ottoman Empire, ruled over Greece from the 16th century until World War 1.

Which country invented cacık? ›

More than any other nation in the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks enjoyed this dish immensely. However, they also experimented with this classic cucumber and yogurt dip until its Indian roots were almost invisible. Tzatziki (derived from the Turkish word cacık) was born.

What is cacık in english? ›

cucumber

What is the difference between Greek yogurt and Turkish yogurt? ›

Realistically there is little to no difference between Greek and Turkish yogurt. They are both strained yogurt that are thick and generally have a high protein content. Enjoy either the same way and lets be grateful that both the Greeks and the Turks (and a myriad other countries) gave this gift to the world.

How long does tzatziki last in the fridge? ›

Tzatziki will last about four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. While you can freeze it, it will change a bit in regards to texture and consistency when it comes time to thawing it out.

Is tzatziki healthier than salad dressing? ›

Tzatziki is a much healthier choice than ranch dressing. It's lower in calories and fats but still offers key nutrients and vitamins.

Why is tzatziki so good? ›

For the uninitiated, tzatziki is a yogurt-based dip that is laced with cucumber, garlic, lemon, and mint (dried or fresh, depending on who's making it). It's cooling and punchy and addictive. You'll most likely find it in a gyro or kebab of some sort, or as part of a meze.

What is Turkish yogurt called? ›

Lebne – Yogurt of Turkey.

Why is Turkish yogurt called Greek? ›

The name "Greek" yogurt was first used to describe products manufactured by fa*ge, a company in Athens, Greece. However it became popular after Chobani, a company created in the US by a Turkish man, started using the term too.

What is the Turkish word for yogurt? ›

Adding to the confusion is the fact that, in modern Turkish, the word spelled yoghurt is actually pronounced more like the French word for it, yaourt, with the "gh" in the middle of the Turkish word just lengthening the vowel before it.

What is the difference between Labneh and cacik? ›

Cacik has an aroma of wild garlic and other herbs. It is widely produced and consumed in eastern and southeastern parts of Turkey. Therefore it is also produced and consumed other parts of country. Labneh is a traditional dairy product with high nutritional value, unique taste and aroma.

What is cacik in english? ›

cucumber

What is the meaning of cacik? ›

cacik (plural caciks) A Turkish dish made from yoghurt, salt, olive oil, crushed garlic, chopped cucumber, and mint.

What is the difference between tzatziki and mast o khiar? ›

Differences between Mast-O-Khiar and Tzatziki: tzatziki is Greek in origin; mast-o-khiar is Iranian/Persian. tzatziki is made with a thicker (strained), Greek-style yogurt while mast-o-khiar can be made with a thinner, plain yogurt. tzatziki has dill, mast-o-khiar usually has mint.

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