Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe

This Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe is loaded with beans, black-eyed peas, and fresh vegetables tossed in a delicious homemade dressing. Enjoy this colorful and hearty dip with plenty of tortilla chips.

I have no idea why I haven’t ever made this Cowboy Caviar dip before! Recently I had this dip, also called Texas Caviar, at a summer BBQ and was in heaven. This hearty and healthy dip is serious eats! I kept going back for more and noticed that I wasn’t even using the chips, just a spoon to eat this!

While the Cowboy Caviar is technically a dip to serve on any occasion you want, it can be a salad or even a hearty lunch. The vinaigrette dressing is infused with honey and pickled jalapenos and then tossed over the fresh vegetables and beans. So good. If you prefer a milder version, try this Cucumber Pico de Gallo. It’s perfect as a dip or even as a salad.

What is Cowboy Caviar?

Cowboy Caviar is simply a medley of vegetables and legumes tossed with a zingy dressing. It can be served as a dip, side dish, or salad. It was invented in the 1950s by Helen Corbitt, (the famed 1950s Neiman Marcus food director), who first served it as “pickled black-eyed peas” on New Year’s Eve at the Houston Country Club. Soon after, it was dubbed “Texas caviar.” It has also been called Cowboy Salsa as it resembles a Pico de Gallo of sorts.

Variations of Texas Caviar

• Add diced avocados and mix in with the vegetables.
• Instead of using the dressing in the recipe, some people use their favorite Italian dressing.
• Try adding red onion, minced garlic, and green bell pepper instead of red, feta cheese, or black olives.

Is Cowboy Caviar Healthy?

Cowboy Caviar is indeed healthy as it’s loaded with vegetables and beans. No guilt when eating this dip since it contains magnesium, iron, protein, fiber, folate, vitamin B6, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and more!

How do you store cowboy caviar dip?

The best way to store this dip is in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together. For that reason, when making the cowboy caviar, it’s best to make it ahead of time – at least 2-3 hours.

Ingredients

For the dressing:

• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeno plus 1 tablespoon brine
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 5 tablespoons olive oil

For the salad:

• 1 (15 ounce) can of black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed (can use fresh corn)
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

• Tortilla chips, for serving

How to Make This Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Throwing together this cowboy salsa is so simple, and it only takes a few minutes of prep work. The rest is waiting for all the flavors to blend together as it chills.

Step 1

In a small bowl or jar, mix together the ingredients for the dressing.

Step 2

In a large bowl, toss together the ingredients for the salad. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.

Step 3

Cover the salad and refrigerate for 2 -3 hours. Give it a good mix before serving. Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

Tips, Tricks, and FAQs

• Prepare cowboy caviar a couple of hours in advance or a day ahead. The flavors need to meld together and it’s best served chilled.
• Add diced avocados to the mix.
• You can use fresh sweet corn in place of the frozen.
• Change out the green onions for diced red onions.
• Use your favorite Italian dressing in place of the homemade.
• Serve suggestions other than a dip include a side dish or salad. The cowboy caviar is also great as a topper for chicken, fish, and steak.
• Use in a filling for burritos (add rice), or make rice bowls.
• Sandwich idea: use the Texas caviar in a lettuce wrap.
• Not a cilantro fan? Omit it.

Printable Recipe Card

Other Easy Dips to Make

• White Bean Dip with Homemade Pita Chips
• Easy Homemade Peach Salsa
• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Spicy Cheese Dip
• Classic Layered Taco Dip

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Enjoy!