Skip to content

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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

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, BBQ’s, 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!

Vegetables and beans in a glass bowl.

How to Make Cowboy Caviar

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.

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.

Serve and enjoy. Serve the dip with tortilla chips or over a salad or in a tortilla. Enjoy!

Dressing is being poured over cowboy caviar.

Helpful Tips

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, 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 dip with tortilla chips.

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 morning of if making in advance. That way the flavors have time to marinate together, but still taste super fresh and delicious.

Tortilla chip being dipped in Texas caviar.

More Fresh Dip Recipes

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

cowboy caviar in glass bowl

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

5 from 7 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 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 10

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.

Video


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. 
Adapted from my friend Erin :)

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!

Let’s connect

Join our community of over 5 million!

Featured on

  • Taste of Home
  • Martha Stewart
  • Country Living
  • BuzzFeed
  • Yahoo
  • Food Network
  • Today