Sides · Turkish

Turkish Cacik (Cool Cucumber Yogurt Dip)

Priya Nair

Recipe by Priya Nair

Breakfast & spice-forward cooking · October 17, 2026

Cacik is Turkey's answer to a refreshing, garlicky yogurt dip, and it comes together with just a handful of ingredients. The trick is straining both the yogurt and the grated cucumber so you get a thick, spoonable texture instead of a watery puddle. Serve it alongside grilled meats, with warm pita, or as a cooling side on a hot night.

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Turkish Cacik (Cool Cucumber Yogurt Dip)

Why you'll love this

  • Just six simple ingredients and no cooking required.
  • Cool, garlicky, and genuinely refreshing on a hot day.
  • The perfect sidekick for grilled meats, kebabs, or warm flatbread.
  • Make it ahead and it only gets better.

EveryDayMeal recipe

Turkish Cacik (Cool Cucumber Yogurt Dip)

Prep
15m
Total
735m
Serves
4
Level
Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (about 1 pound) plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon plus more for drizzling extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon dried mint, divided
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 teaspoon flaky salt

Equipment

  • Fine-mesh sieve
  • Large bowl
  • Muslin cloth or paper towels
  • Box grater
  • Mixing bowl

Instructions

  1. Set a sieve over a large bowl and line it with a clean muslin cloth or a few layers of white (non-dyed) paper towels. Spoon in the yogurt, cover the top with another layer, and refrigerate at least 12 hours. This drains off the excess whey so the dip turns out thick and creamy.
  2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the lemon juice, most of the olive oil (save a little for drizzling), and most of the dried mint (save a pinch for garnish). Let it sit a minute so the mint softens and soaks up the liquid, which wakes up its flavor.
  3. Mix the strained yogurt into the lemon-mint mixture, then discard the liquid that collected in the straining bowl and set the bowl aside for the cucumber.
  4. Halve the cucumber lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a teaspoon, running it top to bottom. Cut each half crosswise so the pieces are easier to handle, then coarsely grate the cucumber into that reserved bowl.
  5. Gather the grated cucumber in your hands or in a clean cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Watery cucumber is the number one reason cacik turns thin, so really wring it dry.
  6. Stir the squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, and flaky salt into the yogurt mixture until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  7. Spoon into a serving bowl, drizzle with the reserved olive oil, and sprinkle with the pinch of dried mint. Serve chilled.

Tips from the kitchen

  • The 12-hour yogurt strain is what gives cacik its luxurious thickness, so plan ahead and start the night before.
  • Squeeze the grated cucumber hard, then give it one more squeeze. Dry cucumber keeps the dip from going runny.
  • If you like a looser, more pourable version (sometimes served as a cold soup), skip straining the yogurt and thin it with a little cold water.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 110 cal · 6g protein · 7g carbs · 7g fat

Make it your own

  • Stir in a handful of chopped fresh dill or fresh mint for a brighter, herbier flavor.
  • Add a pinch of ground cumin or a drizzle of chili oil for a little warmth.
  • For a thinner, soupy cacik, use the yogurt unstrained and loosen with cold water.

Storing & make-ahead

Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cucumber may release a little liquid over time, so give it a quick stir before serving. Not suitable for freezing.

Good to know

Can I use Greek yogurt and skip the straining?
Yes. Greek yogurt is already strained, so you can use it straight from the tub and save yourself the 12-hour wait. Whole-milk Greek yogurt gives the richest result.
Do I have to use dried mint?
Dried mint is traditional and gives cacik its signature flavor, but you can substitute chopped fresh mint. Use about three times as much fresh as dried.
Why is my cacik watery?
Either the yogurt wasn't strained long enough or the cucumber wasn't squeezed dry. Wring the grated cucumber hard and let the yogurt drain the full time for a thick dip.
What do I serve with cacik?
It's wonderful with grilled lamb or chicken, kebabs, rice pilaf, or scooped up with warm pita and flatbread.

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