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Vegan Tzatziki and Greek Influence in the Bible
- Lupita Ronquillo, Founder of Vegan Health and Yoga
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Simple Vegan Tzatziki Recipe
Tzatziki is a popular and refreshing dip that hails from Greece. Traditionally made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs, vegans too can enjoy this light, satisfying, and timeless recipe. Simply by substituting in a plant based yogurt, or making your own, you and your family can enjoy Tzatziki.
If you would like a raw version, I will be making raw yogurt to use in this recipe and linking it here. Meanwhile, this vegan version is faster because making staples from scratch takes more time.
Here’s how to make the vegan version:
Ingredients
1 cup of unsweetened vegan yogurt (I like Kite Hill but any almond based works)
1 cup (155 grams) finely minced English cucumber
1/2 cup (70 grams) finely minced red onion
2 tablespoons freshly minced dill
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic (toasted is ideal for flavoring)
1/2 teaspoon pink salt (iodized and pink blended equally)
Instructions
In a serving bowl, gently combine the vegan yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, onion, dill, lemon juice and salt.
Taste for saltiness and adjust to your liking.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marry. I like to refrigerate it overnight for the best flavor.
Serve chilled with fresh flat bread, fresh vegetables, or as a side to your favorite dishes.
Tzatziki is more than just a delicious dip. It carries a heritage rooted in ancient Greece. The recipe is a known part of the Mediterranean diet, which is celebrated for its health benefits and flavors. Although the Israelites didn't eat tzatziki per se, they did enjoy something similar: curds. Abraham served curds to his guests in Genesis 18:8. Also worth mentioning, cucumbers were one of the foods the Israelites had longed for after leaving Egypt and living in the wilderness. (Numbers 11:5).
Food for Thought: Greek Influence in the Bible
Did you know the Bible includes references to Greek culture and philosophy? The Apostle Paul was instrumental in spreading Christianity to the Gentiles in other countries. He engaged with Greek philosophers and masterfully used their own philosophies steeped in Hellenistic thinking to communicate Christian truths. His strategies and Spirit-led guidance allowed him to bridge their culture and beliefs without compromising the gospel. His preachings in places like Athens, from Acts 17, demonstrate the intersecting of Truth from Greek thought.
Do not be deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. ~1 Corinthians 15:33, King James Version
In this verse, Paul the Apostle quoted Menander, a leading Athenian playwright, to warn about communicating with bad company. It was drawn from one of Menander's well-known comedies and circulated as a proverb in Greek education. This echoes with Proverbs 13:20: "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a company of fools suffers harm." The Book of Proverbs in the Bible are filled with aphorisms derived from the long-standing Israelite wisdom attributed to King Solomon.
These two scriptures state the same message but from opposite ends. They were also stated from people with different religious views. Menander lived in a polytheistic society. Since his plays honored pagan gods such as Dionysia, we can infer he wasn't a Christian. His focus was on social dynamics, love, and ethics. Not spiritual transformation. Proverbs 13:20 is attributed to King Solomon since it falls within chapters 10-22 and recognized as part of Solomon's core collection of sayings. King Solomon believed in God and was blessed by Him. So even if it is wise to avoid "evil" or "foolish" company, if the purpose is to promote the kingdom of God, we can. That is exactly what Paul did. He was free in Christ to do just that. That is how we know God means All, from Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." ~Matthew 19:26
Getting back to the food, vegan tzatziki not only offers a taste of Greece, it can remind us as Christians of the cultural intersections that shaped early Christianity. So as you savor this refreshing dip, reflect on the light that connects us all. Through our words, our food, and the Bible!
Written and created by Lupita Ronquillo, founder of Vegan Health and Yoga
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