Drawing inspiration from the classic tzatziki, our High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta is a luxurious blend of richness, creaminess, and refreshing flavor. Whether you’re dipping, spreading it on sandwiches and gyros, or dolloping it on grain bowls, it’s a versatile sauce that you’re sure to love!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta
- Serving Suggestions
- How to Store
- Common Questions about Cottage Cheese Tzatziki
- More Dips, Sauces, and Spreads
- High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta Recipe
Why You’ll Love High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta
In our opinion, you can never go wrong with a good sauce! Whether you’re looking for an easy appetizer or a quick condiment for all your favorite meals, you can always find a sauce that hits the spot. Luckily, one checks all the boxes. It’s:
- Full of protein.
- Made with less than 10 ingredients.
- Quick and easy to make, meaning you can have it on your table in minutes.
- Great to prepare ahead of time.
- Smooth and creamy with just a touch of crunch.
What Does This Recipe Taste Like?
This creamy sauce has a flavor similar to tzatziki. It’s smooth and rich thanks to the yogurt and cheese, which also give it a subtle hint of tanginess. Paired with herbs and spices, it has a refreshing combination of light and savory flavors that pair well with all your favorite savory recipes.
A High Protein Twist on Tzatziki
This sauce and traditional tzatziki are very similar — we used the classic as an inspiration for this version but added our own flair. Unlike tzatziki, this recipe is loaded with protein thanks to the use of both Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. As a result, it’s also thicker than tzatziki. Then, we incorporated a few extra seasonings to make the flavor truly unique.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting this flavorful sauce is super easy with less than 10 ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Feta Cheese – This helps to form the base of the dip. For the best taste and texture, opt for a full-fat block.
- Greek Yogurt – We prefer to use plain, full-fat varieties for an ultra-creamy consistency. If preferred, low-fat options can be used. Just know that the texture of your sauce will vary slightly.
- Cottage Cheese – This is our secret weapon to taking this cucumber sauce to the next level, adding an extra tangy taste and loads of protein while creating a thick texture. Again, full-fat varieties work best.
- Cucumber – Use a large English cucumber.
- Herbs and Spices – Fresh dill, garlic, dried mint, salt, and pepper combine to create savory, refreshing flavors. It’s technically optional, but we also like to include za’atar as a garnish to make this recipe ten times better than anything you’ll find in the store.
- Lemon Juice – A splash of citrus brightens up the sauce.
How to Make High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta
Whipping up your own sauces at home is a breeze with this easy process! Just combine everything together, and – voila! – it’s ready to elevate your dishes. Here’s what you need to do:
- Combine. Add the feta, yogurt, cottage cheese, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and mint to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are well combined and creamy.
- Add the Cucumber. Peel and grate the cucumber with the largest side of a box cutter. Then, add the gratings to a cheesecloth, and squeeze out any excess liquid. Stir the cucumber into the cucumber sauce, making sure it is well incorporated.
- Adjust. Give your sauce a taste test, and adjust the seasonings as necessary to satisfy your taste buds. Garnish with za’atar, if desired, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
This sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with nothing but a spoon. No judgment if you do! However, we also love these other ways to serve it:
- As a dip with pita chips, crackers, and veggie sticks
- Dolloped on salads and bowls like our Chickpea Cucumber Feta Salad, Quick Couscous Salad with Chicken, and our Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- On sandwiches and wraps
How to Store
Elevate your meals effortlessly by preparing this simple sauce in bulk — it’s a fantastic condiment to have on hand to add flavor to all of your culinary creations! When transferred to an airtight container, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. We do not recommend freezing this recipe because the dairy and cucumber will not thaw well, so the dip doesn’t retain its original consistency.
Common Questions about Cottage Cheese Tzatziki
This super versatile sauce can be used as a dip for veggies or pita chips, a spread on sandwiches and wraps, or a topping for salads and grain bowls. It’s also great dolloped on grilled meats or roasted vegetables to add a creamy, tangy flavor boost.
The key is to properly prepare the cucumber. After grating, place the cucumber in a cheesecloth or clean towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible before mixing it into the sauce. This step helps maintain the dip’s dreamy thick and creamy consistency.
Yes, this sauce is keto-friendly. It’s low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats and protein, making it a great addition to a ketogenic meal plan. Just be mindful of portion sizes to stay within your daily carb limits.
Absolutely! Thin it out with a bit of lemon juice or water to reach your desired dressing consistency. It adds a creamy, tangy flavor to salads, especially ones with Mediterranean ingredients like tomatoes, olives, and grilled chicken.
Yes! By blending it with the yogurt and feta, you can create a creamier sauce with a whole lot more protein.
More Dips, Sauces, and Spreads
Ready to elevate your culinary game? Explore a variety of our other favorite homemade dips, sauces, and spreads below to add a burst of flavor to all your favorite recipes!
- Romesco Sauce
- Spinach Olive Dip
- Baba Ganoush (Eggplant Dip)
- Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes with Yogurt Dip
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High-Protein Tzatziki with Cottage Cheese & Feta
Ingredients
- 6 ounces feta cheese full-fat
- 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt full-fat*
- 6 ounces cottage cheese full-fat
- 1 clove garlic
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons dried mint
- ½ cup English cucumber grated
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: olive oil and za’atar seasoning for garnish
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the feta, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and dried mint. Pulse until smooth and creamy.6 ounces feta cheese, 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt, 6 ounces cottage cheese, 1 clove garlic, Squeeze of lemon juice, 1/4 cup fresh dill, 2 teaspoons dried mint
- Using the largest side of a box cutter, peel and grate the cucumber. Place the shreds in a cheesecloth and squeeze out any excess liquid. Fold the cucumber into the cucumber sauce.½ cup English cucumber
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with olive oil and za’atar, if desired.Salt to taste, Black pepper to taste, Optional: olive oil and za’atar seasoning for garnish
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
When I’m making a dip with cucumber, I cut it in half and scoop out the soft middle with a spoon. That gets rid of most of the excess moisture.
Hi Mooshki,
We love this tip — thanks so much!
xo,
Alia & Radwa
I just made this and it’s delicious. Will it thicken in the fridge overnight? And what do you recommend dipping in it? I bought some pita chips because I thought it would be more like a dip. Thank you!
Hi Lori! It won’t get super thick, but can always add more cottage cheese to thicken it up. We love dipping it with pita chips or veggies!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
could you use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese
We haven’t tested it, but it might work! You’ll likely ned to add more yogurt. We’d love to know how it goes if you give it a try!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Delicious !
Thank you, Elaine!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Looks delicious. I can’t find dried mint. Is there a substitute? Fresh mint?
Fresh mint will work! You’ll likely just need to use 2-3 times more. We hope you enjoy, Stacey!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Can I replace the Greek yogurt with sour cream? You recipe sounds so delicious.
Yes, you can, however, it won’t be a higher protein recipe. You can do a mix of sour cream and greek yogurt or also trying labneh, or ricotta cheese!