I absolutely love Turkish cuisine and here is a staple dish I like to make called Cacik. It's a light and refreshing cucumber and yogurt dish which is perfect for dipping or enjoying with a spoon!
Whilst I haven't had the chance to visit Turkey yet…I love Turkish food and it's always been one of my favorite cuisines. Everytime I visit Dubai, it's the food I eat the most there! I've been fortunate enough to eat a lot of homemade Turkish recipes at my friends’ homes throughout the years, and now love making them at home. Cacik is a staple dish and so easy to make within 15 minutes using simple ingredients so anyone can make it!
Cacik is a yogurt and cucumber dip which is refreshing and hits the spot, especially on summer days. It’s pronounced as “Jah-jik” and can be served in two different ways. It can be made with a thicker consistency which is perfect for dipping with flatbread or pita bread and served on a mezze table or side dish. It can also be made with a thinner consistency, similar to a cold soup such as gazpacho which you eat with a spoon. Here I'm sharing the thicker version as it's my personal favorite and one I make often.
Not only is it great for dipping, but I also love to add it as a sauce in wraps such as a falafel wrap or a Greek wrap. It's also great to enjoy alongside a bbq with grilled meats or rice dishes. Turkish cacik is very similar to Greek tzatziki, but they are different in their own ways. I find cacik a little more lighter and fresh compared to tzatziki which is a little heavier on the garlic side.
What's great about Mediterranean cuisine, is that there are many similar dishes that different countries share, with their own spin on them. We also have a similar cucumber and yogurt dip in Persian cuisine called mast o khiar and India have a similar dish called Raiti. My recipe for cacik is one I learnt through Turkish friends, but different parts of Turkey also make it differently. Some grate the cucumber, some chop it.
If you want to try more Turkish recipes, check out my Turkish eggs called cilbir and also sumac onions 😊
Table of Contents
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients, anyone can make it!
- Light & Refreshing: Cool and creamy, perfect for a hot summer's day
- Versatile: Enjoy it as a dip with pita bread, sauce for a wrap or even enjoy it with a spoon
- Nutritious: Made with wholesome ingredients that are healthy and nutritious
What is Cacik?
Cacik is a staple dish in Turkish cuisine and pronounced “jah-jick”. It's a yogurt and cucumber dish which can be served in two different ways - either as a thick dip or a cold soup.
Both versions are made with thick Turkish yogurt, cucumber, dried mint, lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of garlic. It can then be enjoyed with bread as part of a mezze table or side dish, or thinned out with cold water to make a cold soup like gazpacho.
It's fresh, refreshing and delicious especially on summer days. Different towns and families in Turkey make it slightly different, some with grated cucumbers or some with chopped, and some also use dried dill. All are delicious!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Turkish yogurt is preferable to make traditional cacik. It's a thick plain yogurt similar to Greek yogurt. It's not as easy to find, so you can substitute with Greek yogurt which is what I've done in this recipe
- Cucumber adds freshness and crunch and you can chop or grate them. Persian or Lebanese cucumbers are less watery and have more flavor. Regular cucumbers or English cucumbers are fine too but usually have tougher skin which you can peel if preferred
- Dried mint is typical in cacik rather than fresh herbs. Some recipes can use dried dill
- Lemon juice adds a touch of freshness and acidity. Fresh lemons are best as they're lighter and more fresh than lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil adds a lovely aroma and delicious depth
- Garlic, mince or grate a small clove, as you don’t want it to be overpowering
How to make Cacik Turkish Cucumber Yogurt Dip
Make this delicious Turkish yogurt dip at home in no time at all. Follow my simple steps below.
Grate cucumber using a box grater and set aside for 5 minutes
Squeeze the excess water out of the cucumber
In a bowl add yogurt, cucumber, dried mint, grated garlic, olive oil and a pinch of salt. Mix to combine
Add a squeeze of lemon and stir together then taste for seasoning. Let it sit for 5 minutes and it's ready to serve!
Tips and Tricks
- To prevent a watery dip, let the cucumber sit for 10 minutes once grated, then squeeze out any excess moisture before adding them to the yogurt
- To make a chunkier dip with more texture, chop up the cucumber into tiny cubes instead for some crunch
- If you are wishing to make the cold soup version of cacik, make the same recipe but don't squeeze the cucumber juice out. Then add cold water to your desired texture and enjoy with a spoon
- Once made, allow the cacik to sit for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to develop even more
Storage Instructions
- Store leftover cacik in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a quick mix before serving incase the water content has separated and is on top
FAQs
They are similar, but not exactly the same. Cacik is lighter, uses dried mint with chopped cucumbers rather than grated. Tzatziki is thicker and always uses grated cucumbers. It also includes more garlic with a stronger taste
Enjoy it with pita bread on a mezze table with other dips and salads or on the side of grilled meats, seafood or rice
Both, depending on the recipe and different parts of Turkey. It can be a thicker dip style consistency, or thinned out with cold water and enjoyed with a spoon
Its made with thick Turkish yogurt similar to Greek yogurt, chopped or grated cucumber, dried mint, lemon juice and olive oil with a touch of garlic
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cacik:
More Easy Dips
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Cacik Turkish Cucumber Yogurt Dip photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Cacik - Turkish Yogurt Cucumber Dip (Made in 15 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Turkish yogurt or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Persian cucumber or ½ an English cucumber
- 2 teaspoons dried mint
- ½ lemon - juiced
- 1-2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove
- Salt to taste
Serve with easy homemade pita bread
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber using a box grater and leave on the side for 5 minutes*You can also finely chop the cucumber into tiny cubes if you prefer more texture or a crunch
- Squeeze the excess water out of the cucumber*If you are making the soup version, skip this step and refer to notes
- Add the yogurt, dried mint and olive oil to a bowl and finely mince in the garlic clove. Add the grated cucumber, a good pinch of salt and stir together
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir together, ensure to taste for seasoning. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes then garnish with a sprinkle of dried mint or fresh mint leavesServe up your cacik alongside delicious homemade pita bread and enjoy!
Notes
- To make the cold soup version of cacik, simply make the same recipe but skip step 2, so don't squeeze the cucumber juice out. Then add cold water to your desired texture, serve in a bowl and enjoy with a spoon 🙂
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