Greek yogurt tossed with grated cucumber, garlic, fresh mint, and lemon, finished with warm olive oil. Light, refreshing, and protein-rich — perfect as a suhoor opener.
Yogurt with cucumber and garlic (laban khyar) is one of the authentic Egyptian and Levantine suhoor starters.
The lightness of yogurt, the freshness of cucumber, and the bite of garlic make it a natural appetite opener on Ramadan nights, especially for those who wake up early hungry.
Grate the cucumber, place it in a strainer, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for five minutes so it releases the excess water, then squeeze it with the palm of your hand.
In a bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt with the crushed garlic and lemon juice until smooth.
Add the drained cucumber and stir. Add the chopped fresh mint and keep stirring.
Season with salt and white pepper and stir. Cover and refrigerate for half an hour so the flavors meld.
Spoon the yogurt onto a serving dish, warm the olive oil, and pour it over the top. Sprinkle the dried mint and serve with Arabic bread.
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar, while the glycemic load (GL) measures how much a full serving raises it. Together they give the complete picture.
A low value (≤55) means a gradual rise in blood sugar — the most suitable range for diabetes and insulin resistance.
Glycemic load reflects the impact of the full serving. To lower it: take half a serving, or pair the recipe with a source of protein and fiber.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet per FDA food-label reference values — your daily needs may be higher or lower. Values are derived from the recipe's ingredients via the USDA database.
The most common problems when preparing Yogurt with Cucumber, Garlic, and Mint, and how to fix them:
The cucumber was not drained. Squeeze it more and reduce the amount next time.
Cut the garlic in half. Soak it in olive oil for five minutes before adding to soften it.
Fresh mint is better. Add a pinch of dried mint at the end to release the aroma.
Dilute it with an extra spoonful of yogurt and a squeeze of lemon. Reduce the salt next time.
Two days in a container. Stir before serving.
The yogurt separates after thawing.
| Original Ingredient | Tested Substitute | Ratio | Flavor Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek yogurt | regular strained yogurt | 1:1 | Strain it in a clean cloth for 4 hours. |
| fresh mint | dried mint | half the amount | more concentrated flavor. |
| Arabic bread | barley bread | 1:1 | a lighter, higher-fiber version. |
| Ingredient | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yogurt | 400 g | 800 g | 1200 g |
| Cucumbers | 100 g | 200 g | 300 g |
| Garlic | 5 g | 10 g | 15 g |
| Mint | 10 g | 20 g | 30 g |
Drain the cucumber well before whisking or the yogurt will run. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular and tolerates liquid additions without thinning out.
The EEINA app saves your favorite recipes, calculates them from their real ingredients, and shows your daily numbers toward your goal. Try it free now.
