Cacık
A refreshing and cooling Turkish yogurt and cucumber side dish, perfect for hot summer days or as an accompaniment to rich meals like kebabs. It's a delightful blend of creamy yogurt, crisp cucumber, pungent garlic, and aromatic mint.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Greek yogurt(Full-fat Greek yogurt is recommended for the best creamy texture. If unavailable, use a thick, plain yogurt.)
- 1 medium Cucumber(Choose a firm, unwaxed cucumber if possible. English cucumbers also work well.)
- 2 cloves Garlic(Adjust to your preference. For a milder flavor, use 1 clove or omit the garlic entirely.)
- 1 tbsp Dried mint(Spearmint is traditional. Fresh mint can be used as a garnish, but dried mint is key for the base flavor.)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil(Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling.)
- 100 ml Cold water(Use ice-cold water to help keep the cacık chilled.)
- 1/2 tsp Salt(Or to taste. Used for drawing out moisture from the cucumber.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cucumber: Wash the cucumber thoroughly. Grate it using the large holes of a box grater. Place the grated cucumber in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let it sit for at least 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. After draining, gently squeeze handfuls of the grated cucumber to remove as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Prepare the garlic: Peel and mince the garlic cloves very finely, or crush them into a paste using a mortar and pestle. The finer the garlic, the better it will incorporate into the yogurt.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Combine the base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and the cold water. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Add the minced garlic and dried mint to the yogurt mixture. Stir well to distribute the flavors evenly.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 4
Incorporate cucumber and season: Add the squeezed, drained cucumber to the yogurt mixture. Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed. The consistency should be like a thick, drinkable soup or a loose dip.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Chill thoroughly: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the cacık to become thoroughly chilled, which is essential for its refreshing quality.
⏱️ 1 hour - 6
Serve: Ladle the chilled cacık into serving bowls. Drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with a little extra dried mint, or fresh mint leaves if preferred.
⏱️ 3 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to a good cacık is to drain the cucumber well. This prevents the dish from becoming watery.
- ✓Serve cacık very cold for the most refreshing experience.
- ✓Cacık is a classic accompaniment to Turkish kebabs, grilled meats, and rice dishes, but it's also delicious on its own as a light meal or appetizer.
- ✓For a thicker dip consistency, reduce the amount of cold water or use less cucumber.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer, dip-like consistency, use less water or omit it entirely, and consider adding a tablespoon of tahini.
- Add finely chopped walnuts for a textural contrast.
- A pinch of black pepper can be added for a subtle warmth.