Cacık is a traditional Turkish salad made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs. Cacık is one of the most popular Turkish specialties, usually served as part of appetizers (meze), a side dish for main meat courses, or as a light soup.
The main ingredient of cacık is Turkish thick yogurt (“süzme yoğurt”). Another essential component is fresh cucumbers, which are most commonly cut into very fine pieces in traditional Turkish cuisine. The mixture also includes pressed or finely chopped garlic, olive oil, salt, and herbs (dill and mint). Before serving, cacık is usually drizzled with a bit of olive oil and sprinkled with fresh herbs.
Differences Between Turkish Cacık and Greek Tzatziki
Cacık is very similar in composition to Greek tzatziki, which contains the same basic ingredients: yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs. However, there are some differences between these two dishes.
Greek tzatziki tends to be significantly thicker and creamier than Turkish cacık, which can be thinner and is sometimes eaten as a light cold soup.
Another difference is in the preparation of the cucumbers. Cacık often uses finely chopped cucumbers, while Greek tzatziki typically features grated cucumbers.
Bon appétit!
🇹🇷 Turkey on a plate and in your email! Subscribe to my newsletter and get exclusive access to information about Turkish cuisine for free. Discover lesser-known but still great Turkish foods!
