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Flavorful and delicious cowboy caviar dip that will become the star of the show at your next get-together. Full of fresh veggies and topped with an easy homemade dressing. 

Cowboy caviar in a glass bowl.
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The Best Cowboy Caviar

If there’s one thing I could eat for the rest of my life, it would be chips and dip. And this cowboy caviar is high on my list of favorites. It’s similar to my black bean and corn salsa but with more beans and a delicious homemade dressing. Seriously to die for!

This cowboy caviar (also known as Texas caviar) is seriously one of my favorite appetizers to make for the Super Bowl, holidays, BBQs, game nights, and everything in between. It’s so easy to whip up and will definitely be a crowd favorite at your next get-together.

The best part about this easy appetizer is that it can be made in about 15 minutes! There’s no cooking or any fancy instructions included…just chop everything up and mix it all together. It’s as simple as that!

Ingredients

Fresh ingredients combined together make this cowboy caviar a family favorite! This is a colorful dip that everyone raves about and loves. It is easy to make and store pantry staples and has this appetizer, side dish, or dip for any game night or gathering!

The ingredients separated into piles.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Black beans: Rinse and dry the black beans before adding them to the large bowl.
  • Blackeyes peas: Open cans of black beans and rinse them and let the black-eyed peas dry a bit before adding to the bowl.
  • White shoepeg: This is a white sweetcorn that has a delicious flavor.
  • Tomatoes: Slice Roma tomatoes into small slices and chunks that are easy to eat. Cherry tomatoes will also work sliced into fourths or smaller.
  • Bell pepper: Wash and chop the bell peppers. Use red, green, and yellow bell peppers for different flavors each time.
  • Avocados: Peel and slice the avocados into small pieces. Find a ripe avocado that is easy to slice but not too soft that it is mushy.
  • Green onion: Slice into small pieces. You can even slice a red onion instead!
  • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is citrusy and nutty flavor.
  • Lime juice: A fresh squeeze of juice is delicious and refreshing to add to the dip.

How to Make Cowboy Caviar

This easy cowboy caviar is a quick way to make an appetizer everyone loves! It is fresh and delicious in every bite. Combine the beans and veggies, then add the homemade dressing. It is so simple to stir together and make the best cowboy caviar!

  1. Combine beans and chopped veggies. Mix together drained corn and beans in a medium bowl. Then add in finely chopped onion, bell pepper, tomato, and avocado. Stir in the chopped cilantro and add salt and lime juice to taste. Gently mix everything together.
  2. Make the homemade dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour about half of the mixture on top of the cowboy caviar and gently stir together. Add more dressing as needed.
  3. Serve and enjoy. Serve the dip with tortilla chips or over a salad or in a tortilla. Enjoy!
The ingredients in a glass bowl with the dressing being poured over top.

Helpful Tips

Change it up or and make it fun with these helpful tips! This cowboy caviar is the perfect way to make it into a meal, snack, appetizer, or side dish. Make it even better with fresh grilled corn! Have it your way with all the delicious ingredients you love!

  • Use Italian dressing for convenience. To make this recipe easier, you could even use Italian dressing. Just make sure to start with less and add more as you go. You don’t want it to be too runny.
  • Make it a meal. To make this a meal…grab a wheat tortilla, and some chicken, put a few spoonfuls of salsa in, and roll it up. You could also top over lettuce with chicken. This makes a quick and easy lunch!
  • Use fresh grilled corn. If fresh corn is in season, I love to grill the corn and then add it in. Adds a fresh and delicious flavor.
Cowboy caviar mixed together with tortilla chips on the side.

Recipe FAQs

Why is cowboy caviar so good?

It is full of different colorful ingredients that go well together. This cowboy caviar is full of nutrients and rich with beans and great-tasting ingredients.

Why do they call it cowboy caviar?

This dish was introduced by Helen Corbitt who was the Neiman Marcus food director at the time. She brought it to a party as a simple salad but it turned into so much more! The guests at the party named it cowboy caviar because it is filled with humble ingredients.

What is the actual name of cowboy caviar?

Another name is Texas caviar which is a bean salad consisting of black-eyed peas in a pickled vinaigrette-style dressing.

A chip dipped in the cowboy caviar.

5 star review

“This is one of my favorites. It’s all the flavors of a yummy dip but without the guilt because of all the veggies. Even my kids love it.”

-Jen

Easily Make Ahead!

One of the great things about this Texas caviar is that you can easily make it in advance. Simply make the dip as instructed, however, wait to add the chopped avocado until right before serving. It has a tendency to brown pretty fast, so it’s best to add it in at the end for optimal freshness.

Once you’ve made the dip, cover it with an airtight lid and store it in the fridge until serving. I’ll usually make it the day before or the morning of if making in advance. That way the flavors have time to marinate together, but still taste super fresh and delicious.

More easy dips we love include this ceviche recipe and avocado salsa!

More Fresh Dip Recipes

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Cowboy Caviar Recipe

5 from 16 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Flavorful and delicious cowboy caviar dip that will become the star of the show at your next get together. Full of fresh veggies and topped with an easy homemade dressing. 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 10

Video

Ingredients 

  • 15 ounce can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 15 ounce can blackeyed peas or white beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 15 ounce can white shoepeg or sweet corn (drained)
  • 3-4 diced tomatoes (about 1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 2 avocados (seeded and diced)
  • ½ cup chopped green onion
  • ¾ cup cilantro
  • lime juice , to taste

Dressing:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar , optional
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Combine the corn and beans into a medium-sized bowl. 
  • Dice the green onion, bell pepper, avocados and tomatoes, then mix them in the bowl. Then chop the cilantro finely and mix that in.
  • Add more salt and lime to taste and gently stir together.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, garlic, ground cumin and salt in a small bowl. Then pour about half of the dressing over the bean salad. Stir gently and add more as needed.
  • Serve with tortilla chips, over a salad with grilled chicken or rolled up in a tortilla. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up 2-3 days.

Notes

Make ahead: You can make this ahead, but I wouldn’t add the avocado until just before serving. That way they won’t turn brown. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 616mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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