Home » Recipes » Appetizers » 4 Ingredient Mast o Khiar – Persian Cucumber Yogurt Dip
4 Ingredient Mast o Khiar – Persian Cucumber Yogurt Dip
Prep time:
5 minutesmins
Cook time:
0 minutesmins
TOTAL time:
5 minutesmins
A creamy Persian yogurt and cucumber dip like Mast o Khiar is an ideal quick appetizer or side for your next special meal or dinner party. It takes only 5 minutes to make and 4 ingredients, making it an incredibly easy yet impressive dish.
By Candice Walker on August 12, 2024 (Last updated August 12, 2024) This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
8shares
A creamy yogurt and cucumber dip, Mast o Khiar is an ideal quick appetizer or side for your next special meal or dinner party. It takes only 5 minutes to make and 4 ingredients, making it easy and impressive. I chop up fresh veggies like cucumber, carrots, and cabbage to pair with it.
Along with a kashke bademjan, mast o khiar is a Persian classic you’ll find on the hors d’eovers table in Persian homes. It’s so quick to make that it’s a no-brainer to serve with fresh veggies to keep guests from getting too hungry before the main meal is served.
🌟 What Makes This Dip Simple Yet Flavorful
Tangy yogurt: Yogurt is perfect for dips as it has a creamy texture but tangy taste. I’m using Labne in this recipe, which is a Middle Eastern dairy product that uses kefir grains to ferment the dairy and is thicker than regular yogurt. For something else with similar flavors, try traditional Persian doogh, a yogurt drink.
Refreshing dried mint: I prefer to use dried mint in this recipe because it flavors the yogurt more evenly than fresh mint. If you are using fresh mint, be sure to mince it very finely.
Persian cucumbers: Persian cucumbers have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. These cucumbers have thin, tender skin, making them ideal for grating and eating without having to peel or seed them.
🧾 Ingredients in This Recipe
Labne – Labne is ideal, but any unflavored, plain yogurt will work in its place. Labne and other kefir yogurt are thicker than regular yogurt, so it helps to strain regular yogurt or use a thicker regular yogurt if that is the route you’re taking. I have some relatives who use a combination of sour cream and yogurt. My mom also likes to make it with 1/4 mascarpone cream and 3/4 yogurt.
Persian cucumber – These smaller mild cucumbers have the best flavor and work well with the labne. American or English cucumbers are a suitable substitute, but will need to be peeled and seeded.
Dried mint – I prefer dried mint in this dip (and so does my mom who taught me this recipe), but fresh mint works, too. Note that fresh mint doesn’t infuse as well into the dip. I have also sometimes had this with dill instead of the mint or in addition to it.
Salt – I usually use pink Himalayan sea salt, but you can use any salt you have on hand.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
👩🍳 How to Make This Recipe
Mix the yogurt until smooth in texture, then grate in the Persian cucumber using a coarse grater.
Add in the dried mint and salt to season the dip.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the mint and cucumber.
Refrigerate the dip for 1-3 hours before serving with fresh veggies.
✅ Pro Tip
For extra flair when serving your dish, garnish the top with a circle of ground rose petals and fresh dill.
⭐️ Optional Additions for This Dip
1/4 cup of currants – plump the currents in warm water for 10 minutes for the best texture and taste.
1 raw, grated garlic clove – for an injection of garlicky flavor.
1 tablespoon raw, grated onion – this adds a hint of pungent, savory flavor.
Minced dill – dill is a great partner for yogurt as it pairs well with that fermented tang.
Pepper – for an element of heat.
🍽️ How to Keep Your Dip Fresh
This dip will keep fresh in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. After 3 days, the cucumber starts to go off so it’s best to consume it before then. It’s not suitable for freezing and thawing.
🥒 More Persian Sides and Appetizers
The diversity of Persian dishes means there’s a side dish or appetizer for every occasion.
A creamy Persian yogurt and cucumber dip like Mast o Khiar is an ideal quick appetizer or side for your next special meal or dinner party. It takes only 5 minutes to make and 4 ingredients, making it an incredibly easy yet impressive dish.
Mix the yogurt with a fork or whisk until mixed together and smooth. If it is very thick, add a little water to make it a smoother texture.
Grate in the Persian cucumber using a coarse grater and add the mint and salt.
Mix well to combine, then refrigerate for 1-3 hours before serving.
Notes
I prefer dried mint in this recipe because if flavors the yogurt more evenly than fresh mint. If using fresh mint, be sure to mince it very finely.Keeps in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. After 3 days, the cucumber starts to go off.Optional additional ingredients:
1/4 cup of currants, plumped in warm water for 10 minutes
Did you try this recipe?I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a Review to let us know how it came out, if you have a successful substitution or variation, or anything else.
