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blopez34

Active member
Alright, I’m gonna admit something as a guy who grills a lot. I don’t always feel like making tzatziki from scratch, especially if I’ve already got meat going, sides going, everything. Sometimes I just want to grab something decent and keep it moving.

So I’m curious, are there actually any good store-bought tzatziki brands out there?

I’ve tried a few and some are way too thin or just taste off, like they’re missing that real garlic and yogurt balance. I’ve heard brands like Boar’s Head and Cedar’s are supposed to be better, but I haven’t really found one that tastes as good as homemade.
 
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Alright, I’m gonna admit something as a guy who grills a lot. I don’t always feel like making tzatziki from scratch, especially if I’ve already got meat going, sides going, everything. Sometimes I just want to grab something decent and keep it moving.

So I’m curious, are there actually any good store-bought tzatziki brands out there?

I’ve tried a few and some are way too thin or just taste off, like they’re missing that real garlic and yogurt balance. I’ve heard brands like Boar’s Head and Cedar’s are supposed to be better, but I haven’t really found one that tastes as good as homemade.
Boar's Head!
 
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Reactions: Annpr
Trader Joe’s Vegan tzatziki is quite good. Give it a try. It’s thick and all ingredients come together. Unlike their regular one that’s thin with slices of cucumber.
 
Alright, I’m gonna admit something as a guy who grills a lot. I don’t always feel like making tzatziki from scratch, especially if I’ve already got meat going, sides going, everything. Sometimes I just want to grab something decent and keep it moving.

So I’m curious, are there actually any good store-bought tzatziki brands out there?

I’ve tried a few and some are way too thin or just taste off, like they’re missing that real garlic and yogurt balance. I’ve heard brands like Boar’s Head and Cedar’s are supposed to be better, but I haven’t really found one that tastes as good as homemade.
 
I will agree that tzatziki is an absolute must for any BBQ. So this is what I do if i don't have time to make my own. I buy a relative good brand and then add vinegar, salt and olive oil and more garlic if necessary. These are the four ingredients usually missing or low. It will taste much better!
 
Alright, I’m gonna admit something as a guy who grills a lot. I don’t always feel like making tzatziki from scratch, especially if I’ve already got meat going, sides going, everything. Sometimes I just want to grab something decent and keep it moving.

So I’m curious, are there actually any good store-bought tzatziki brands out there?

I’ve tried a few and some are way too thin or just taste off, like they’re missing that real garlic and yogurt balance. I’ve heard brands like Boar’s Head and Cedar’s are supposed to be better, but I haven’t really found one that tastes as good as homemade.
Alright, I’m gonna admit something as a guy who grills a lot. I don’t always feel like making tzatziki from scratch, especially if I’ve already got meat going, sides going, everything. Sometimes I just want to grab something decent and keep it moving.

So I’m curious, are there actually any good store-bought tzatziki brands out there?

I’ve tried a few and some are way too thin or just taste off, like they’re missing that real garlic and yogurt balance. I’ve heard brands like Boar’s Head and Cedar’s are supposed to be better, but I haven’t really found one that tastes as good as homemade.
Cedar’s
 
Honestly, I think Boar’s Head is probably the closest I’ve found to homemade if you want something quick and reliable. The texture is thicker than a lot of the grocery store versions, and it actually tastes like yogurt, garlic, dill, and cucumber instead of just sour cream with seasoning mixed in. A few food rankings and reviews seem to agree too.

Cedar’s is decent too, especially if you like a stronger cucumber and garlic flavor, but I’ve noticed it can vary a little depending on the batch.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the refrigerated deli-section tzatziki is almost always better than the shelf-stable versions.

That said, homemade still wins if you’ve got ten extra minutes and a good thick Greek yogurt.
 

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?
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