If you can’t resist the tangy, deliciousness of Greek yogurt recipes, you are not alone. While this minty condiment is a no-brainer when you want a yogurt and mint sauce for lamb, there are many other creamy yogurt recipes to enjoy! My Greek Yogurt Dressing will immediately enliven any salad with light, zesty flavors. Or, you can give your meal an authentic Mediterranean spin with the earthy, creamy, and herby notes of my Tzatziki Sauce or Yogurt Tahini Sauce.
Want to serve a crowd? My Yogurt Ranch Dip is the ultimate solution for party spreads, whether you want to serve chips, veggies, or any other fan-favorite finger foods!
Ingredients
This mint yogurt sauce recipe requires only six simple ingredients to transform your weeknight menu into a gourmet spread. In fact, you can probably find these ingredients in your pantry already!
- Greek yogurt: I recommend using plain, full fat yogurt to give this dip the richest, creamiest flavor. However, you can also use low- or non-fat yogurt if you prefer a lighter alternative and don’t mind a thinner sauce.
- Fresh mint leaves: Use widely available supermarket fresh mint for this recipe. I recommend removing the leaves from the stems and chopping them up finely. If you are growing your own mint, both spearmint and peppermint leaves would work.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is my go-to for this yogurt mint sauce, as it has a brighter, deeper citrus flavor than bottled lemon juice.
- Fresh garlic cloves: The best way to infuse this mint yogurt recipe with robust, savory flavor is to use finely chopped or pressed fresh garlic. However, if you don’t have fresh garlic handy, one teaspoon of garlic powder will give your sauce similarly bold notes while also blending nicely into your mixture.
- Kosher salt & black pepper
Optional Add-Ins & Substitutions
- Olive oil: If desired, you can drizzle your mint dip with olive oil or mix olive oil with your other ingredients to achieve a richer, more full-bodied blend—just like I do in my Creamy Yogurt Dill Sauce!
- Spices & dried herbs: Because this sauce is so versatile, I encourage you to customize its seasonings based on the menu you’d like to serve. Ground cumin, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and dried mint are all impeccable additions if you want to lend this condiment nutty, smoky, or spicy undertones.
- Water: If you want to turn this creamy dip into a thinner mint yoghurt dressing, all you need to do is add a little bit of water to your mixture. Just be sure to taste for seasoning and add more if necessary. Then, add your mint yogurt dressing to your favorite salads for the perfect side dish, light lunch, or veggie-packed meal.
- Vegan yogurt: If you follow a vegan diet, you can still enjoy this mint sauce recipe by substituting the dairy-based Greek yogurt for plain vegan coconut yogurt or almond milk yogurt—as long as it’s unsweetened.
How to Make Mint Yogurt Sauce?
Anyone can make this minted yogurt sauce in just five minutes—with only two steps! Below, you’ll find out how to make a refreshingly light, creamy condiment in no time.
- Combine the ingredients: Add the yogurt, chopped mint, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients until they’re thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Season and serve: Taste the mint sauce for seasoning, and add more if necessary. When you reach your ideal balance of flavor, your sauce is ready to enjoy!
How to Store & Freeze?
This effortless recipe is excellent for easy storage, whether you want to make it ahead of time, use it throughout the week, or save it for future meal prep.
- Storage: First, transfer this mint yogurt sauce into a tight-fitting jar or airtight container to keep it fresh. Then, store it in the refrigerator for up to five days, being sure to shake or whisk the mixture before using it.
- Freeze: Technically, you can freeze this sauce for later use. However, yogurt tends to separate when it thaws, so be sure to whisk it before serving it. Furthermore, if you want to store this condiment for individual servings, you can pour it into an ice cube tray and use each frozen “cube” as needed.
How to Use Mint Sauce With Yogurt?
This hassle-free recipe is just what you need to compliment your menu with light, minty flavors. Below are some ideas to get you started:
- Meat dishes
- With lamb: In the mood for a classic? Lamb with yogurt mint sauce perfectly balances this succulent, grassy meat with bright, fresh flavors. For example, this mint yogurt sauce makes an exquisite pair with my Roasted Rack of Lamb, Grilled Lamb Rack, and even individual lamb chops if you want a smaller portion size. Or, if you’re in need of a quick lamb dinner, my Pressure Cooker Lambs Shanks make an excellent pairing with this sauce.
- Chicken: People often use this Greek sauce for lamb, but it also makes a delectable condiment for countless other Mediterranean meat dishes. Succulent and tender, my Shish Taouk and Oven Chicken Kabobs expertly balance the delicate freshness of my mint dip with their smoky taste. Otherwise, you can drizzle this creamy sauce recipe over a Pita Chicken Wrap or pita sandwiches for a protein-filled meal you can enjoy at picnics, barbecues, and on-the-go meals.
- Beef: Savory, filling, and flavorful, my Kofte Meatballs and Oven Beef Kabobs are also delicious paired with this mint yogurt dipping sauce. Pour a helping of this light condiment over your hearty beef dish, or serve it on the side for a restaurant-ready menu that comes together in no time.
- Dipping sauce: One of my favorite ways to use this versatile sauce is as a minted yogurt dip. It makes a delicious dipping sauce with roasted or grilled vegetables or as a part of a mezze platter with other dips like Hummus and Muhammara, of course, with pita bread on the side.
- Dressing for salad: Because of its light, cool taste, this condiment makes a fantastic mint yogurt salad dressing—especially when you add a little water to thin out its base. Pair this tasty dressing with my Cucumber Greek Yogurt Salad for a refreshingly crisp side everyone can enjoy, or pour it over my Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt for a hearty yet fresh dish that will delight any potluck.
- Sandwiches and burgers: Mint yogurt dip isn’t only delicious alongside gourmet mains; it’s also a tasty topping for your favorite sandwich recipes! Spread this sauce on my Steak Sandwich for a juicy, hand-held meal. Or, if you’re in the mood for a vegetarian option, whip up a Bulgur Burger or Falafel Sandwich and top it with mint yogurt sauce for a Middle Eastern dish your dinner guests will love.
- Vegetable dishes: If you’re looking for a deliciously nutritious dish, try spooning or drizzling this yoghurt and mint sauce over your favorite veggie sides. This light and creamy condiment perfectly accompanies my tender Sauteed Eggplant, or you can drizzle it over my Sauteed Mushrooms and Asparagus or Air-Fried Asparagus for a savory, flavorful side you can customize for any menu.
Expert Tips
It is no secret that this is a super simple recipe. However, during our recipe testing, we learned a few things that are worth noting to help you succeed on your first try:
- Chop mint finely: The key to getting the freshest, most evenly distributed flavor is to chop your mint as finely as possible. Some versions of this recipe use a food processor to achieve a super-fine consistency, but I found this unnecessary. As long as you have a chopping board and a sharp knife, you should be able to get a similarly fine cut in your fresh mint.
- Stir well: Because this lamb yogurt sauce uses fresh, wet, and dry ingredients, you must stir it thoroughly before serving. Doing so will help avoid clumpiness, give you a super-smooth texture, and ensure a more even distribution of flavor.
- Experiment with seasonings according to your recipe: Whether you use this Greek yogurt sauce for lamb, chicken, beef kebabs, or any other dish, I recommend playing around with your seasonings and fresh herbs to best complement your menu. Some of my favorite additions are fresh dill, fresh parsley, and fresh cilantro—all of which offer uniquely refreshing, earthy, and grassy notes.
- Adjust consistency: To make it thicker, add a little more yogurt to the sauce. However, if you prefer a thinner consistency—as you might for a salad dressing or drizzly topping—add a little bit of water to your mixture.
- Let it rest: If you have the time, I highly recommend letting this mint sauce rest for 30 minutes in the fridge before using it. This resting time will allow the ingredients to more thoroughly infuse the sauce, leading to a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
FAQs
Want to know more about this tantalizingly cool sauce? Below, you’ll find answers to all your questions, from alternative preparation methods to consistency adjustments.
True, both yogurt mint sauce and Indian mint sauce are yogurt-based sauces that use fresh mint to get their iconic cool taste. However, the Indian version—a popular condiment at Indian restaurants—includes additional ingredients, such as fresh cilantro, lemon juice (or lime juice), green chilies, cumin, sugar, and salt, to achieve a brighter, more herbaceous base.
Try adding more yogurt to your mixture to thicken your yogurt and mint sauce. Conversely, if you want to thin out your sauce, add a bit of water to your bowl.
A great way to cut down on extra prep time when making this yogurt mint sauce recipe is to begin with English mint sauce (either from the store or homemade). Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of this pre-made sauce to your Greek yogurt, stir, and enjoy!
If you try this Mint Yogurt Sauce recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It will be a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. If you take some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them in my stories.
Mint Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain full fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place yogurt, mint, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small mixinf bowl and whisk until fully combined.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- You can use it right away or store it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Yields: This recipe makes one cup of sauce. You can easily multiply the recipe based on what you are serving it with. The nutritional values below are for the whole recipe.
- Fresh mint: I used store-bought fresh mint, but if you are growing your own, you can use peppermint or spearmint to make this recipe.
- Storing leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to give it a good whisk and taste for seasoning before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Just tried your yogurt mint sauce recipe as it is…taste wonderful!! goes really well with the leg of lamb.
That makes me so happy Dali. Thanks for coming by and taking the time to leave a review.