thick haydari with dill and olive oil on a cobalt and turquoise ceramic plate.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Thick Yogurt and Herb Meze

Name: Thick Yogurt and Herb Meze
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 1 ⅓ cups (300 g) Yogurt (plain, strained); 2 oz Cheese (white brined or feta), finely crumbled; 1 clove Garlic, finely grated; 1 tsp Mint (dried); 10 g Dill (fresh), finely chopped; 1 tbsp Olive oil; Table salt, to taste

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Haydari

A spoonable strained-yogurt meze with white cheese, mint, dill and garlic.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 0
Rest: 20 min
Total: 30 min
Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 ⅓ cups (300 g) Yogurt (plain, strained)
2 oz Cheese (white brined or feta), finely crumbled
1 clove Garlic, finely grated
1 tsp Mint (dried)
10 g Dill (fresh), finely chopped
1 tbsp Olive oil
Table salt, to taste

Method

Check that the yogurt holds a spoon swirl before mixing. Mash the cheese with a spoonful of the yogurt until no large lumps remain.
Püf noktası · Kitchen tip
- Moisture Control
  Straining yogurt
  Let whey drain in the refrigerator until plain yogurt holds the texture your dish needs.
Fold in the remaining yogurt, garlic, dried mint, most of the dill and two-thirds of the olive oil. Taste before adding salt, since the cheese may already provide enough.
Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Spread on a small plate, make shallow swirls and finish with the reserved dill and one-third of the oil.

Cooking guidance

Start with plain strained yogurt that holds a spoon swirl. If yours is loose, drain it in a clean cloth-lined sieve over a bowl in the refrigerator before weighing the recipe amount. Drainage time depends on the yogurt.

A loose finished dip will not thicken by stirring harder. Serve it as a softer dip; do not add uncooked flour. Taste before salting because the cheese contributes salt.

Storage & serving

Refrigerate promptly in a covered shallow container at 40°F or below. Do not leave out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. Use within 2 days; an earlier ingredient use-by date still applies. Keep covered during chilling. Stir gently before serving; add the reserved oil and dill at the table.