Easy Cowboy Caviar
This easy cowboy caviar recipe is made with a variety of canned beans, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, and fresh garlic, all tossed in a simple dressing. Great for making ahead!
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Cowboy caviar, sometimes referred to as Mexican caviar or Texas caviar, is a fresh black-eyed pea dip typically made with black beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
This dish is easy to make your own based on what you enjoy or have available to you, and you’ll find many different variations out there.
I often have trouble finding black-eyed peas, so I created a recipe with a mix of black beans and other canned beans that are easy to find. Of course, I add plenty of fresh veg from the garden, fresh bell peppers, onion, garlic, and cucumbers, all tossed in a simple dressing.
It’s a simple recipe, but big on flavor. Cowboy caviar has become a staple side dish that I make throughout the summer months. The hearty beans and crunchy peppers hold their shape and texture with the dressing, making it easy to grab throughout the week for quick and easy lunches.
More Salad Recipes
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Roasted Mexican Street Corn Slaw Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Classic Potato Salad
Why You’ll Love Texas Caviar Recipe
- Fresh ingredients – Fresh garden produce brings plenty of fresh flavors and natural fiber to create a healthy, satisfying dish.
- Feeds a crowd – This delicious dip is perfect for game days, the super bowl, backyard summer BBQ, or summer parties.
- Make it your own – This cowboy caviar recipe is fantastic as written, but there are all sorts of ways to add your own spin! Use Italian dressing instead of the tangy dressing. Substitute black-eyed peas for the pinto beans or black beans. Add a diced green bell pepper, fresh corn, or cherry tomatoes. Or add a pinch of chili powder and ground cumin for smoky, savory flavor.
Cowboy Caviar Ingredients
- Beans – A variety of beans like black beans, northern, navy, garbanzo beans.
- Peppers – Red, yellow and a jalapeno pepper
- Cucumber – I like the small seed cavity of an English cucumber
- Onion – A red onion adds to the colorful cowboy caviar, but you can also use yellow, white, or green onions.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic for its intense flavor
Cowboy Caviar Dressing Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Sugar
Helpful Tips for Cowboy Caviar
- Let it chill – This recipe tastes great right away, but it’s even better after an hour in the fridge. Make the dip ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld.
- Stir – As the dip sits, the dressing sinks to the bottom of the bowl. Toss the dip before serving so the dressing coats the veggies and beans for the best flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Can opener
How to Make Cowboy Caviar
Make the Dressing
Combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Make the Salad
Drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a large mixing bowl.
Finely mince the garlic, cut the onion, bell peppers, and cucumber into a small dice, then add them to the bowl.
Dress and Toss
Add the dressing to the bowl, and toss with a large spoon to combine.
Store
Refrigerate cowboy caviar in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Serving suggestions
- Serve as a simple dip with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer.
- Makes an excellent side dish full of healthy fiber and fresh vegetables.
- Spoon it over tacos in place of pico de gallo on your next taco night.
FAQs About Cowboy Caviar
Is Cowboy Caviar Healthy to Eat?
Cowboy caviar is a great way to get fiber from the fresh vegetables and beans.
Is Cowboy Caviar Just Pico de Gallo?
While both pico de gallo and cowboy caviar contain similarly chopped fresh produce, cowboy caviar is a heavier dish that incorporates beans and peppers and is tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Whereas pico is full of fresh vegetables without additional dressing, just a touch of lime juice.
I’d love to hear from you! If you made this Easy Cowboy Caviar recipe and loved it, I would love it if you gave it 5 stars! Happy Baking!
Easy Cowboy Caviar
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Ingredients
Cowboy Caviar
- 15.5 oz black beans
- 15.5 oz pinto beans
- 15.5 oz northern beans
- 15.5 oz navy beans
- 15.5 oz garbanzo beans
- 1 red onion
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1 red pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cucumber
Dressing
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Make the Dressing
- Combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Make the Salad
- Drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a large mixing bowl.
- Finely mince the garlic, cut the onion, bell peppers, and cucumber into a small dice, then add them to the bowl.
Dress and Toss
- Add the dressing to the bowl, and toss with a large spoon to combine.
Store
- Refrigerate cowboy caviar in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
Helpful Tips for Cowboy Caviar
- Let it chill – This recipe tastes great right away, but it’s even better after an hour in the fridge. Make the dip ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld.
- Stir – As the dip sits, the dressing sinks to the bottom of the bowl. Toss the dip before serving so the dressing coats the veggies and beans for the best flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a simple dip with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer.
- Makes an excellent side dish full of healthy fiber and fresh vegetables.
- Spoon it over tacos in place of pico de gallo on your next taco night.