Cowboy Caviar

This cowboy caviar recipe is fresh, colorful, simple, and packed with nutrients. It is often served as a dip with tortilla chips and also makes a great salad for a healthy and light summer side dish or lunch. Always a big hit at potlucks and parties!

Have you heard of cowboy caviar yet? I did not until this summer. Unfortunately. Because it is so good and fun! You have to try it out!

What is Cowboy Caviar?

Cowboy caviar, also referred to as Texas caviar, is a simple and nutrient-rich dip based on beans, supplemented with more vegetables, and topped off with a flavorful homemade Italian dressing.

You can eat it as a dip with tortilla chips or simply with a fork or spoon as a salad, but you can also use it to fill tortillas, tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.

Cowboy caviar on its own, or served with tortilla chips, is a wonderful side dish, lunch, appetizer, or snack, especially in summer.

Cowboy Caviar Health Benefits

Loaded with beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, optionally jalapeno peppers, onions, cilantro, and avocados, this dip contains lots of protein, fiber, and vitamin C.

It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Cowboy Caviar Recipe Tips

• Perfect amount for a party. This recipe yields a big batch, and is therefore perfect to feed a crowd, making it ideal for potlucks, parties, and BBQs.
• Let it chill. Cowboy caviar is best the day it is made. Chill for one hour to give the flavors a chance to marry. Be sure to stir well before serving.
• Make it ahead of time. You can make this a day in advance, be sure to then add the avocado just before serving to avoid the avocado from getting brown. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by giving it a star rating and leaving a comment below. Or snap a photo and tag @teatimeontheporch on Instagram so I can see it! I’d love to see your cowboy caviar!

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5 from 1 vote

Cowboy Caviar

By Christina

Yields: 12 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

This cowboy caviar recipe is fresh, colorful, simple, and packed with nutrients. It is often served as a dip with tortilla chips and also makes a great salad for a healthy and light summer side dish or lunch. Always a big hit at potlucks and parties!

Ingredients

For the Vegetables

• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained
• 3 Roma tomatoes, seeds removed and cut into small cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into small cubes
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into small cubes
• 1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup (20 g) cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 ripe avocados, diced

For the Dressing

• 1/3 cup (75 g) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice (from 1-2 limes)
• 1 teaspoon (4 g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (1.4 g) ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.8 g) garlic powder

Instructions

• For the Vegetables: In a large bowl, add the black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeno (if using), and onion.
• For the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and stir well to combine.
• Cover and chill for 1 hour to give the flavors a chance to marry. Fold in the cilantro and avocado just before serving. Serve with tortilla chips if you wish.

Notes

Storage Instructions: Cowboy caviar is best the day it is made. It will keep in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Make-Ahead Instructions: Cowboy caviar can be made ahead of time. I recommend making it no more than 1 day in advance, be sure to then add the avocado just before serving to avoid the avocado from getting brown.

Adapted from Spend With Pennies.

Did You Make This Recipe?

I’d love to know how it turned out! Please leave a comment below. Or snap a photo and tag @teatimeontheporch on Instagram so I can see it!