Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar is classic Texas potluck recipe and it’s easy to see why! This zesty mix of beans, corn, and veggies is fresh, flavorful, and can be tossed together in minutes!
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar is a staple in Texas, and one that any Texan knows is a must have during the summer months or any time the weather starts to heat up! Black eyed peas, black beans, corn, and fresh veggies are tossed in a tangy dressing. It can be served with appetizers, as a dip, a side dish, or a salad – so easy and versatile!
This recipe is so easy to make because all you have to do is chop everything up and throw it together! No wonder Cowboy Caviar is a go-to recipe for picnics, potlucks, and parties. It’s also an easy way to use up your seasonal produce and can be customized with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
I remember the first time I tried Cowboy Caviar — it was served as a free sample at a local grocery store. One taste and I was hooked! I knew I had to re-create the recipe at home.
Why Is It Called Cowboy Caviar?
Also known as “Texas Caviar,” Cowboy Caviar actually does trace its roots to the Lone Star State. As the story goes, Neiman Marcus food director Helen Corbitt debuted the dish at a fancy New Year’s party at a Houston-area country club in the 1950s. The dish was such a hit with guests that the recipe quickly spread. It was dubbed “Cowboy Caviar” due to it’s combination of simple, down-to-earth ingredients and incredible flavor that left anyone who tried it wanting more.
Related: Try our Cowboy Cookies recipe too!
Cowboy Caviar Ingredients
I’ve provided this quick list of shop-able ingredients for your convenience; disclosure policy here.
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Dip:
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (15 ounces)
- 1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained (15 ounces)
- 1 can sweet corn (15 ounces)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 2 avocados, pitted and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, de-seeded and finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Instructions
- Prep your vegetables: chop the tomatoes, remove the pit a chop avocado, chop cilantro, etc.
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a large bowl and whisk together until well combined.
- Add your chopped veggies, beans, black eyed peas, and corn to the bowl of dressing.
- Squeeze the lime juice on top and stir gently to mix and coat everything in the dressing.
Prep Tips
- If you have the time, I recommend chilling the dip in the refrigerator for an hour. This allows all of the flavors to really mingle and develop.
- If it’s easier, you can add all your veggies and beans to the bowl first, mix the dressing in a shaker bottle, and pour into the dip.
- The original recipe is non-dairy, but you could add shredded cheddar cheese or even feta cheese on top if you like. This dip also tastes fantastic when served over a block of cream cheese.
- You can substitute honey for the sugar if desired.
- In a hurry? You can use Italian salad dressing instead of homemade dressing because it tastes similar. This is also helpful if you don’t have all of the individual ingredients.
- I prefer ripe avocados for their flavor, but you’ll need to be careful when stirring so as to not mash them up. Alternatively, you can use less ripe avocados that will hold their shape better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make Cowboy Caviar Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make Cowboy Caviar up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container. – BUT – if doing so, do not add the avocados until right before you’re ready to serve. Otherwise they may start to soften and brown.
What Do You Serve With Cowboy Caviar?
Cowboy Caviar makes an excellent chip dip; my favorite pairing are classic tortilla chips. However you could also use pita chips, potato chips, veggie chips, or crostini.
But Cowboy Caviar isn’t just for dipping! This corn and bean salsa makes a fabulous topping for protein such as grilled chicken or steak. It’s also tasty on tacos, as a burrito filling, or served with a side of rice.
More Texas Recipes To Try
- Texas Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Texas Sheet Cake Cookies
- Calabaza (Tex-Mex Goulash)
- Fluffy Texas Sheet Cake
- Jalapeño Pepper Jelly
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Texas Sweet Tea Sangria
Cowboy Caviar Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Dip:
- 15 oz black beans rinsed and drained
- 15 oz black-eyed peas rinsed and drained
- 15 oz sweet corn
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 2 avocados pitted and diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 1 jalapeno de-seeded ad finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- Prep the veggies (chop tomatoes, pit and chop avocados, chop cilantro, peppers, etc.)
- Add the dressing ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Place the chopped veggies, beans, corn, and black eyed peas in the bowl of dressing.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice and toss to mix veggies, beans, and dressing.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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