Haydari: Turkish Yogurt Sauce with Garlic and Herbs

Want a haydari recipe that takes just 15 minutes to prepare and creates a deliciously creamy, tangy dip? The yogurt needs 8 hours to strain, but trust me – this Turkish delicacy is worth every minute of waiting.

This creamy meze dish has become one of my favorite additions to our dinner spreads. The strained yogurt blends perfectly with salty cheese and fresh herbs. On top of that, we love serving this versatile dip with meat kebabs and pita bread. It fits perfectly into larger meze platters next to hummus and grilled vegetables.

Authentic homemade Haydari, a creamy yogurt dip with garlic, herbs, and olive oil, served in a bowl with fresh bread.
Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dipping Sauce)

Let me show you how to make this refreshing Turkish dip that stays fresh in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can even try tasty variations with roasted red peppers and chopped walnuts to raise its flavor profile.

Before You Get Starte:

Let me share some significant preparation tips that will help you make the perfect haydari. The success of this Turkish meze relies on how well you prepare the ingredients and time each step.

Key Tips:

  • Strain yogurt properly: Place yogurt in a cheesecloth-lined strainer overnight (8 hours minimum) in the refrigerator
  • Room temperature ingredients: Remove cheese from refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing
  • Fresh herbs matter: Chop herbs just before mixing to preserve their flavor
  • Garlic preparation: Mince garlic finely for even distribution
  • Mixing technique: Fold ingredients gently to maintain the creamy texture

You should prepare the herbs and garlic while the yogurt strains. The perfect balance of flavors comes from tasting and adjusting seasonings in small steps.

Fresh herbs need to be completely dry after washing. This prevents extra moisture from changing the dip’s texture. Release the dried mint’s aromatic oils by crushing it between your palms right before adding it to the mix.

A clean and well-hosted workspace makes the preparation process smooth and enjoyable. Keep all ingredients at their ideal temperatures until you need them.

What Makes This Recipe So Good?

This haydari recipe’s magic comes from its perfect balance of creamy texture and complex flavors. Strained yogurt and soft white cheese blend together to create an incredibly rich base.

This Turkish meze stands out because you can serve it with almost anything. I found that it goes well with everything from kebabs to raw vegetables. It makes a perfect addition to any Mediterranean spread.

Here are the impressive health benefits of this traditional dip:

  • Supports digestive health through probiotics
  • Provides essential protein for muscle building
  • Contains low sodium compared to other dips
  • Delivers vital vitamins and minerals

Notwithstanding that, haydari’s true star quality shines through its distinctive taste profile. The tangy yogurt base goes together perfectly with the cheese’s saltiness. This creates a sophisticated flavor that refreshes and satisfies at the same time.

As with its taste, the texture deserves special mention – thick and creamy, yet light enough to spread easily. Fresh herbs add both visual appeal and aromatic depth, making every bite delightful.

My favorite practical feature of this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time. The flavors develop and improve after a few hours in the fridge. This makes it perfect for entertaining. You can keep the dip fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days, though leftovers rarely last that long in my house!

Why I Love This Recipe:

My first taste of haydari came from a small restaurant in the back alleys of Beyoglu, Istanbul. This creamy Turkish dip became my favorite choice at traditional raki-mezze establishments. The recipe has earned a permanent spot in my kitchen over the last several years.

The recipe’s versatility makes it special to me. Haydari works beautifully in many ways beyond its traditional role as a meze:

  • A wholesome breakfast spread on crusty bread
  • Among other sides with grilled meats and kebabs
  • Mixed into vegetable crudités for healthy snacking
  • A refreshing sandwich spread alternative to mayonnaise
  • Paired with flatbread for quick lunches

The health benefits make this recipe even more appealing. The probiotic-rich yogurt helps digestive health, and its high protein content keeps you feeling full. The low sodium content makes it a healthier choice compared to store-bought dips.

This recipe’s make-ahead convenience sets it apart. The flavors get better after chilling in the refrigerator, which makes it perfect for entertaining or meal prep. The dip stays fresh for several days without preservatives and artificial flavors.

Tangy yogurt combines with aromatic herbs to create an addictive creamy texture that brings you back for more. The recipe’s beauty lies in its flexibility – there’s no single universal version, which gives you creative freedom in the kitchen.

Recipe Variations

The beauty of haydari shines through its adaptability, with countless variations emerging from different Turkish regions. The core ingredients – strained yogurt, feta cheese, and fresh herbs – stay constant, but each version adds its own unique twist to this beloved meze.

I’ve found many ways to customize this versatile dip. Roasted red peppers add a smoky dimension that creates an entirely new flavor profile. You can also add chopped walnuts or pine nuts for a delightful crunch, or pomegranate seeds to bring bursts of sweetness and vibrant color.

These variations will raise your haydari to new heights:

  • Stir in roasted eggplants for a rich, smoky undertone
  • Replace mint with fresh dill or parsley for a different herbal note
  • Add warm spiced butter with dried mint and red pepper flakes
  • Top with skhug, pistachio pesto, or chimichurri for fusion flavors

You can experiment with Mediterranean spices to create your signature blend. A pinch of baharat, za’atar, or smoked paprika turns the traditional recipe into something uniquely yours. The dish welcomes new flavor combinations while maintaining its authentic character through the core ingredients – strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and feta cheese.

Garlic lovers can simply add more fresh garlic to intensify the flavor. Dried herbs make a good substitute if fresh ones aren’t available, though they’ll give your haydari a slightly different taste.

Equipment

You need minimal equipment to prepare this classic Turkish meze. A medium-sized saucepan is the main tool you’ll need to create this creamy dip.

Your saucepan should be clean and completely dry before use. The pan’s even heating matters more than its size because it affects how the ingredients blend together. Any standard kitchen saucepan works well for this recipe.

The simple equipment requirements showcase haydari’s authentic character – a dish that values quality ingredients and proper technique over fancy kitchen tools. This straightforward approach matches traditional Turkish cooking methods that bring out the best flavors from simple, fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Let me share everything you need to make authentic haydari at home. Your ingredients’ quality will shape the final taste, so use the freshest components you can find.

For the base:

  • Greek Yogurt – 260g (or 2 cups) thick, strained yogurt
  • Feta Cheese – 2 tablespoons, crumbled
  • Fresh Garlic – 1 clove, crushed

Fresh Herbs:

  • Fresh Mint – 1 teaspoon, finely chopped
  • Fresh Dill – 3 teaspoons, finely chopped

Seasonings and Finishing:

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 teaspoon
  • Fine Salt – ¼ teaspoon, or to taste
  • Fresh Lemon Juice – from half a lemon

Yogurt stands out as the key ingredient here. Full-fat Greek yogurt works best because of its thick, creamy texture. Your yogurt choice will make the most important difference in the final consistency.

Soft and creamy feta cheese stored in brine gives you the best flavor profile. Fresh herbs create better taste than dried ones, but you can use dried mint as a backup – about one teaspoon should do it.

A single fresh garlic clove balances the flavors perfectly. You can add more or less based on what you like. Olive oil plays double duty – it enhances the taste and adds a beautiful shine when drizzled on top.

Instructions

Let’s make this creamy Turkish meze using a traditional recipe.

  1. The first step is to strain the yogurt. Place a colander with two layers of cheesecloth over a medium bowl and add the yogurt. Cover everything with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 8 hours or overnight.
  2. Take the thickened yogurt and put it in a mixing bowl. Mix the feta cheese with about 2 tablespoons of yogurt until you get a smooth consistency.
  3. The yogurt-feta mixture needs minced garlic, salt, olive oil, chopped fresh dill, and mint. Mix everything really well until the ingredients blend evenly.
  4. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings that match your preference. You should get a perfect balance of tangy yogurt, salty feta, and aromatic herbs.
  5. Put your haydari in a serving bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. The flavors need at least 30 minutes to blend together in the refrigerator.

A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs make perfect finishing touches. The authentic way to serve haydari is to spread it in a thin layer on a plate. Your dip will stay fresh up to a week in the refrigerator with proper coverage.

Notes

The success of this haydari recipe relies on proper storage and preparation methods. You can keep the dip fresh in an airtight container up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The texture and consistency will suffer if you freeze it, so it’s best to avoid freezing altogether.

Full-fat ingredients make a big difference in the dip’s flavor profile. You need full-fat feta cheese and thick, creamy Greek yogurt. The feta cheese adds its own saltiness to the dish, so taste the mixture before adding any extra salt.

I’ve found two effective ways to control garlic’s intensity in this recipe. You can create a smoother, less sharp flavor by removing the garlic’s core. The fresh garlic can also be replaced with garlic-infused olive oil to achieve a milder taste.

Your yogurt’s quality plays a crucial role in the final texture. Traditional haydari uses süzme (Turkish strained yogurt), but thick Greek yogurt serves as a perfect substitute. Here’s how to strain regular yogurt:

  • Dampen muslin or a tea towel and place over a fine sieve
  • Add yogurt and position the sieve over a bowl
  • Cover loosely and refrigerate for 24 hours

This dip tastes even better after a few hours of chilling, which makes it perfect to prepare ahead for guests. Fresh ingredients will give you the best results. A drizzle of olive oil over the finished dip adds an extra boost to its flavor profile.

Nutrition Information

We analyzed the nutritional aspects of this traditional haydari recipe. A single serving, about 1/8 of the recipe, has 92 calories. The basic breakdown shows 6g of fat, 6g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein in each serving.

This Turkish meze packs more than just basic nutrients. You’ll get 137mg of calcium to keep your bones healthy, plus 226mg of potassium. The vitamin content stands out too – each serving gives you 14mg of Vitamin C, which meets 16% of what you need daily.

The yogurt base makes this dish nutritionally rich. It’s packed with probiotics that help your digestion and keep your gut bacteria balanced. You’ll also benefit from nutrients like riboflavin (vitamin B2), folic acid that helps make healthy red blood cells, and vitamin D that plays a vital role in keeping your bones and muscles strong.

The sodium stays reasonable at 88mg per serving, and cholesterol comes in at 19mg. The fat content has 4g of saturated fat – that’s 19% of what’s recommended daily if you eat 2,000 calories.

This recipe has dairy allergens. The protein content makes it great for muscle health, and those probiotics give your immune system a nice boost.

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Authentic homemade Haydari, a creamy yogurt dip with garlic, herbs, and olive oil, served in a bowl with fresh bread.

Haydari: Turkish Yogurt Sauce


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  • Author: Jennifer Relyea
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This easy-to-make Haydari is the perfect creamy, herby yogurt dip to serve with fresh bread or veggies. Full of garlic and Mediterranean flavor, it’s the ultimate appetizer or side dish!


Ingredients

For the base:

  • Greek Yogurt – 260g (or 2 cups) thick, strained yogurt
  • Feta Cheese – 2 tablespoons, crumbled
  • Fresh Garlic – 1 clove, crushed

Fresh Herbs:

  • Fresh Mint – 1 teaspoon, finely chopped
  • Fresh Dill – 3 teaspoons, finely chopped

Seasonings and Finishing:

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 teaspoon
  • Fine Salt – ¼ teaspoon, or to taste
  • Fresh Lemon Juice – from half a lemon

Instructions

  • The first step is to strain the yogurt. Place a colander with two layers of cheesecloth over a medium bowl and add the yogurt. Cover everything with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 8 hours or overnight.
  • Take the thickened yogurt and put it in a mixing bowl. Mix the feta cheese with about 2 tablespoons of yogurt until you get a smooth consistency.
  • The yogurt-feta mixture needs minced garlic, salt, olive oil, chopped fresh dill, and mint. Mix everything really well until the ingredients blend evenly.
  • Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings that match your preference. You should get a perfect balance of tangy yogurt, salty feta, and aromatic herbs.
  • Put your haydari in a serving bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. The flavors need at least 30 minutes to blend together in the refrigerator.

Notes

The success of this haydari recipe relies on proper storage and preparation methods. You can keep the dip fresh in an airtight container up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The texture and consistency will suffer if you freeze it, so it’s best to avoid freezing altogether.

Full-fat ingredients make a big difference in the dip’s flavor profile. You need full-fat feta cheese and thick, creamy Greek yogurt. The feta cheese adds its own saltiness to the dish, so taste the mixture before adding any extra salt.

I’ve found two effective ways to control garlic’s intensity in this recipe. You can create a smoother, less sharp flavor by removing the garlic’s core. The fresh garlic can also be replaced with garlic-infused olive oil to achieve a milder taste.

Your yogurt’s quality plays a crucial role in the final texture. Traditional haydari uses süzme (Turkish strained yogurt), but thick Greek yogurt serves as a perfect substitute. Here’s how to strain regular yogurt:

  • Dampen muslin or a tea towel and place over a fine sieve
  • Add yogurt and position the sieve over a bowl
  • Cover loosely and refrigerate for 24 hours

This dip tastes even better after a few hours of chilling, which makes it perfect to prepare ahead for guests. Fresh ingredients will give you the best results. A drizzle of olive oil over the finished dip adds an extra boost to its flavor profile.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Turkish, Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 100
  • Sugar: 3 grams
  • Sodium: 100 mg

FAQs

Q1. How does Haydari differ from Tzatziki?

Haydari is a thicker and saltier yogurt-based dip that doesn’t contain cucumber. Tzatziki, on the other hand, includes grated cucumber and lemon juice in its yogurt base, resulting in a lighter consistency.

Q2. What are the main ingredients in Haydari? 

Haydari is primarily made with thick strained yogurt, feta cheese, fresh herbs (like mint and dill), garlic, and olive oil. The combination creates a creamy, tangy dip with a rich flavor profile.

Q3. How long can Haydari be stored in the refrigerator? 

When properly stored in an airtight container, Haydari can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s best consumed within this timeframe for optimal flavor and texture.

Q4. Is Haydari suitable for vegetarians?

 Yes, Haydari is suitable for vegetarians as it’s made primarily with dairy products and herbs. However, it’s not vegan-friendly due to the yogurt and feta cheese content.

Q5. What are some common ways to serve Haydari?

Haydari is versatile and can be served in various ways. It’s commonly enjoyed as part of a meze platter, paired with meat kebabs and pita bread, used as a dip for vegetables, or spread on sandwiches as a flavorful alternative to mayonnaise.

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