Learn how to make the best cowboy caviar recipe – a healthy, easy dip that’s perfect for any occasion. Tastes great scooped with chips, added to tacos or served over chicken.
Hi friends!
I’m excited to share this Cowboy Caviar recipe with you today! It is so easy to make and full of flavor. It’s the perfect appetizer for feeding a crowd but is so simple that you could easily make it during your next meal prep session and enjoy it for lunches, dinners and snacks during the week.
What Is Cowboy Caviar Dip?
Cowboy caviar is a dip also known as Texas caviar and is commonly made with a mix of black eyed peas, black beans, corn and more, tossed in a simple dressing. It’s easy to prep in advance and you could easily double the recipe to feed a crowd.
Cowboy Caviar Ingredients
The best thing about this recipe is that many of the ingredients are pantry staples so you can keep them on hand for whenever you want to make this recipe. You’ll need:
- Black beans and black eyed peas – both can be found in cans and just need to be drained and rinsed.
- Corn – canned, freshed or frozen can be used
- Cherry or grape tomatoes- they can easily be quartered and hold their shape well
- Red bell pepper – you could also use yellow or orange
- Red onion – adds lots of flavor but a white onion would also work
- Cilantro and lime juice – fresh cilantro and lime juice add flavor
- Avocado – diced avocado is a great addition, especially if you’re serving immediately
- Jalapeno or serrano peppers – optional way to add some spice
Cowboy Caviar Dressing
Although some recipes simply use store-bought Italian dressing, I prefer to make my own. The dressing in this recipe is a simple mix of oil, red wine vinegar and spices like cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder.
How To Make Healthy Cowboy Caviar
Making this recipe requires just a little bit of dumping and mixing! It’s the perfect mix of beans and veggies making it a great source of fiber!
- In a large bowl, combine the beans, black eyed peas, veggies, cilantro, lime, avocado and jalapeno.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine oil, red wine vinegar and spices and stir or shake to combine.
- Pour over the bean mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or place in the fridge to marinate and let the flavors deepen and develop.
How To Serve Cowboy Caviar
This cowboy caviar recipe can be served in a variety of ways. Serve it as a dip with a side of chips at a party, add it as a topping for grilled chicken or steak, or serve as a salad on a bed of lettuce topped with additional protein if needed.
If you’re feeling up to it, try making your own Easy Tortilla Chips. Or try this Cowboy Caviar Salad Meal Prep.
Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Here’s the recipe!
Cowboy Caviar
Learn how to make the best cowboy caviar recipe – a healthy, easy dip that’s perfect for any occasion. Tastes great scooped with chips, added to tacos or served over chicken.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced
- juice from 1 lime
- 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, minced (optional)
- 1 medium avocado, diced (optional)
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup oil (i use avocado oil)
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 –1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp cumin
Instructions
- Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.
- In a small dish or jar, combine dressing ingredients and stir or shake to mix.
- Pour dressing over bean mixture and mix gently to coat.
- Taste and add more salt, cumin or garlic powder if needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve to let flavors develop.
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Cowboy caviar FAQs
Can cowboy caviar be made ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe holds up well in the fridge and is perfect for prepping ahead of time. The flavors will develop and deepen the longer it sits and the beans and veggies hold up well without becoming soggy.
How long does cowboy caviar last in the refrigerator?
Store your cowboy caviar in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you think you’ll have leftovers, I would add avocado to the part you’re serving now and then add more to the leftovers just before serving to avoid it getting brown.
Can you serve as cowboy caviar salad?
Yes! This dense bean salad could easily be served over lettuce or on its own as a vegetarian or vegan meal option.
Is cowboy caviar vegan?
Yes. This cowboy caviar recipe is vegan.
Is cowboy caviar gluten-free?
Yes. All ingredients in cowboy caviar are naturally gluten-free.
What dishes pair well with cowboy caviar?
This dish pairs well with grilled chicken or steak. It would also make a great addition to tacos, nachos or burrito bowls.
Can I use canned beans for cowboy caviar?
Yes! Canned black beans and black eyed peas are readily available at most grocery stores and are perfect for this recipe.
How can I make cowboy caviar spicier?
To make this recipe spicier you can increase the cayenne pepper in the dressing or add a minced jalapeno or serrano pepper to the bean mixture.
Can I make cowboy caviar without black eyed peas?
You could, but I think that the addition of black eyed peas are what truly makes it cowboy caviar and sets it apart from other salsas and bean dips.
Best cowboy caviar recipe
Other Tex-Mex Recipes
Looking for other similar recipes? Try one of these:
- Slow Cooker Creamy Mexican Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Ultimate Hot Taco Layer Dip
- Baked Ranch Chicken Taquitos
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–