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    Home » Cowboy Caviar

    Cowboy Caviar

    Published: Jan 27, 2023 · Modified: Feb 15, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    In this cowboy caviar recipe veggies, beans, herbs and spices are tossed in a delicious homemade dressing. Also known as Texas caviar, this recipe is light, flavorful, quick & easy appetizer or side dish!

    a bowl of Cowboy Caviar surrounded by chips

    This cowboy caviar (also known as Texas caviar) is a delicious and healthy appetizer to serve any time of the year.

    Beans, veggies, herbs and spices are tossed in the most delicious homemade dressing for an irresistible dip perfect to feed a crowd!

    It's light and fresh and best served with your favorite tortilla chips! Plus, it's gluten and dairy free, so it's a great appetizer for guests with dietary restrictions!

    up close photo of Cowboy Caviar

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

    overhead view of the ingredients in this Cowboy Caviar Recipe
    • Black Beans/Back Eyed Peas. You can choose 30 oz (about 3 cups) of your favorite beans including chickpeas, kidney beans, northern beans, etc.
    • Cherry tomatoes. You can use full-sized tomatoes such as heirloom, Roma, etc. but dice them into small pieces.
    • Red onion. Green onion, yellow onion, or white onion are great substitutes.
    • Sweet corn. fresh corn cooked and cut off the cob, or thawed frozen corn both work well in this recipe
    • Olive oil. avocado oil is a good substitute.
    • Lime juice. Fresh or bottled are both great choices.
    • White wine vinegar. You can substitute any vinegar you'd like here - my recommendations are red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
    • Honey. you can use sugar or maple syrup in place of honey.
    • Mustard. use your favorite variety - we prefer Dijon.
    • Optional: for heat you can add jalapeño, chili powder or cayenne pepper. We prefer the mild version
    a bowl of cowboy caviar with a chip in it and surrounding it

    How to Make Cowboy Caviar

    Let's walk through how to make Texas caviar step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video.

    Make the dressing

    Begin by making the dressing by whisking together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then, set the dressing aside.

    cowboy caviar dressing being whisked together in a small bowl

    Assemble the Cowboy Caviar

    Next, in a large bowl, combine all the cowboy caviar ingredients (including spices), except for the avocado.

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe ingredients in a mixing bowl

    Then, pour the dressing over the mixture. Stir until all the mixture in homogeneous- uniform throughout.

    dressing being poured over the Cowboy Caviar in a large bowl

    Once the cowboy caviar is well-mixed, taste and adjust spices (especially salt and pepper) to your liking.

    Then, cover the bowl and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe after being stirred

    When you’re ready to serve, stir in the diced avocado, then transfer the cowboy caviar to a serving dish.

    Once it's situated in the serving bowl, garnish the Texas caviar with cilantro and enjoy with chips.

    avocado being added to the cowboy caviar in a mixing bowl

    Serve

    Serve this cowboy caviar recipe chilled as an appetizer or side to your favorite dishes, here are some suggestions:

    • Serve it on game day alongside your favorite appetizer recipes, such as warm sausage cream cheese dip, black bean dip, and pretzel dogs.
    • It's a great appetizer or side dish to serve with your favorite Mexican recipes on taco night, like ground beef tacos and homemade guacamole.
    • Use it as a garnish for baked chicken breasts.
    Cowboy Caviar in a serving bowl

    How to store Texas Caviar

    Store leftover cowboy caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

    Cowboy Caviar in a serving bowl

    Recipe FAQs

    Are cowboy caviar and Texas caviar the same?

    Yes, they are two different names referring to the same recipe!

    How long will Cowboy Caviar keep?

    It lasts for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

    Can I make cowboy caviar spicy?

    To add heat you can include jalapeño, chili powder or cayenne pepper. We prefer the mild version

    a chip being dipped into Cowboy Caviar in a serving bowl

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Cowboy Caviar

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe (Texas Caviar)

    Laura
    In this cowboy caviar recipe veggies, beans, herbs and spices are tossed in a delicious homemade dressing. Also known as Texas caviar, this recipe is light, flavorful, quick & easy appetizer or side dish!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Chilling 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Course Appetizer, dip, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 16 Servings
    Calories 229 kcal

    Equipment

    • glass batter bowl
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 15 oz black beans drained and rinsed
    • 15 oz black eyed peas drained and rinsed
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
    • ½ cup red onion finely diced
    • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
    • 2 cups sweet corn
    • 1 red bell pepper finely diced
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon coriander
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 avocados diced

    Dressing:

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons lime juice
    • 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon mustard
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Make the dressing

    • Whisk together dressing ingredients in a small bowl, set aside.

    Assemble the Cowboy Caviar

    • In a large bowl, combine all the cowboy caviar ingredients (including spices), except for the avocado.
    • Pour the dressing over the mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
    • Once the cowboy caviar is well-mixed, taste and adjust spices (especially salt and pepper) to your liking.
    • Cover and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
    • When you’re ready to serve, stir in the diced avocado, then transfer the cowboy caviar to a serving dish. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy with chips!

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions
    • Black Beans/Back Eyed Peas. You can choose 30 oz (about 3 cups) of your favorite beans including chickpeas, kidney beans, northern beans, etc.
    • Cherry tomatoes. Full-sized tomatoes such as heirloom, Roma, etc. can be used - just dice them into small pieces.
    • Red onion. Green onion, yellow onion, or white onion are great substitutes.
    • Sweet corn. Use fresh corn cooked and cut off the cob, or frozen corn that has been thawed.
    • Olive oil. avocado oil is a good substitute.
    • Lime juice. Fresh or bottled are both great choices.
    • White wine vinegar. You can substitute any vinegar you'd like here - my recommendations are red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
    • Honey. sugar or maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
    • Mustard. use your favorite variety - we prefer Dijon.
    • Optional: for heat you can add jalapeño, chili powder or cayenne pepper. We prefer the mild version.
    Store
    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 160mgPotassium: 654mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 517IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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