dill substitute in tzatziki (1)

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Are you making tzatziki? Don’t have any dill and need a replacement? Or maybe you just don’t like dill and you’d like to find a suitable way to replace it in tzatziki dip. Here are 5 of my top picks for dill substitutes in tzatziki.

tzatziki dill substitute

Tzatziki is a middle eastern yogurt cucumber garlic dip made with ingredients like yogurt, garlic, cucumber, dill, and olive oil.

Since dill is not the star ingredient in tzatziki, you will find it easy to replace fresh dill with many other fresh herbs, some more popular than others.

Therefore, if you’re making some tzatziki and can’t find any dill, below you’ll find dill substitutes you can use.

Each of the substitutes will surely add its own unique flavor to the tzatziki, and you may even want to consider waiting until you have some dill to make it. However, if you enjoy trying new things and don’t mind the subtle difference in flavor, then keep reading!

What are the best dill substitutes for Tzatziki?

The best substitutes for dill in Tzatziki are herbs that add either a nice bright color or similar flavor to that of dill. In this vein, the best herbs that can be used as alternatives to dill weed in Tzatziki are:

  • Mint
  • Cilantro
  • Parsley
  • Tarragon
  • Chives
  • No herbs

Each of these will be discussed in more detail.

Incredible dill substitutes for Tzatziki

Mint 

fresh mint

Mint is a great substitute for dill in Tzatziki. In fact, mint is an excellent substitute since it is often used together with fresh dill in many tzatziki recipes.

If you don’t like dill or have none at the moment, feel free to use just fresh mint to make your Tzatziki recipe with a 1:1 ratio. This means if a recipe calls for ¼ cup of fresh dill, substitute with ¼ cup of fresh mint instead.

This fresh herb will make an amazing tzatziki dill substitute.

 

Cilantro

Cilantro

Cilantro is not a very popular dill substitute in this type of dish, however, if you prefer the flavor, you have cilantro and not dill, it could work in a pinch. You will lose the bright, sweet, anise-like flavor in favor of the more pungent, citrusy flavor of cilantro, but the Tzatziki will remain quite delicious.

 

Parsley as a dill substitute for tzatziki

parsley

Some recipes use both parsley and dill. Therefore, it is quite possible to use fresh parsley as a replacement for dill in your Tzatziki!

Simply use equal parts parsley to replace the dill or a 1:1 ratio. That is if a recipe calls for ¼ cup of fresh dill, use ¼ cup of fresh parsley in its place.

Tarragon

Tarragon

Tarragon can also be used as an alternative to dill in Tzatziki. Fresh tarragon will impart a subtle licorice flavor to the sauce, but it can be substituted on a 1:1 ratio with fresh dill.

Chives

While chopped chives are not a popular dill replacement in tzatziki, they can be used in a pinch at a 1:1 ratio. When chives are used in a tzatziki recipe, they are usually used together with other herbs like dill. But, sometimes, it is used on its own to make lemon chive tzatziki.

If a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of dill, replace the dill with 2 tablespoons of chopped chives.

No herbs

Finally, if you have none of the herbs mentioned here, feel free to make a simple yet delicious Tzatziki recipe with no herbs. Just use the other ingredients and enjoy. Dill is not the main ingredient in tzatziki so the impact won’t be that dramatic. Instead, focus on finding an extra creamy thick yogurt, making sure the grated cucumbers have lost as much of their water as possible, and that you use lots of fresh garlic for the sauce instead! 

There you have it! 5 different ways to easily replace dill in a Tzatziki recipe. So, if you’ve run out of dill at the last minute. Or maybe you love Tzatziki recipes but can’t abide dill, then you’ll now be able to make Tzatziki without dill. The best part is all of these dill substitutes make for a truly delicious Tzatziki! Happy eating!

More dill alternatives

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