This Cowboy Caviar is a fresh and simple dip that can be thrown together in less than 15 minutes. It makes a great side dish for any potluck, gathering, party, or picnic. It is the perfect cold dip on a hot summer day. This Cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar or Redneck Caviar is refreshing, healthy and it is the perfect party food.
This Tex-Mex combination of black-eyed peas, colorful vegetables, and zingy vinaigrette dressing is a total crowd-pleaser, as a chip dip or healthy side dish. Frequently, it is prepared with the addition of corn, different types of beans, and even avocado.
Cowboy (Texas) Caviar is very versatile. There are many recipes for cowboy caviar, but we really love this delicious version that my mom makes for us every time she visits us, from you guessed it, Texas. It makes a big batch and is an ideal potluck or party appetizer.
What is Cowboy Caviar?
According to the stories, Neiman Marcus’ food director, Helen Corbitt, introduced this dish at a party in Houston, Texas around 1940. Because this New York woman used “humble” ingredients, guests dubbed it “Cowboy Caviar”.
Why you will love this Cowboy Caviar Dip (Texas caviar)
This cowboy caviar recipe is very easy to make, and it tastes even better if you make it ahead as it allows for all the ingredients to marry well together. It is a simple recipe that can be made quickly or ahead of time.
If you don’t already have a signature dish that you bring to potlucks, cookouts, and other get-togethers, you might have just found it. All you need is a large mixing bowl, 15 minutes, and simple ingredients you most likely already have on hand, to whip up this amazing dip.
There are so many different versions of this Texas caviar recipe. This zesty dip is made with black-eyed peas, beans, sweet corn, and other veggies. It’s fresh, tangy, and perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips. But you can omit any of the ingredients you might not like and add something else to it. This recipe is so versatile!
Ingredients
- Canned beans – black beans, pinto beans, and black-eyed peas
- Whole kernel corn or you can also use sweet kernel corn. You can use canned, fresh corn, or frozen corn kernels in this recipe.
- Fresh tomatoes
- Jalapeno pepper or you can use bell peppers
- Green onion or you can use red onion
- Italian dressing
Other ingredients you can add/use are avocado, cilantro, chili powder, chickpeas, yellow onion, Rotel and so many others.
You could also just add 3 to 4 tablespoons of lime juice to this Cowboy caviar recipe when you add the other ingredients to enhance the flavor.
There are a few names for this Cowboy Caviar: Texas Caviar, Cowboy Salsa, Southwestern Veggie Salad, Lone Star Caviar, Southwestern Bean Salad, Black Eyed Pea Salad, Southern Caviar, Tex Mex Caviar, Hillbilly Caviar, and probably a few more.
How to make this Cowboy Caviar Dip (Texas caviar)
Rinse, drain, and pat dry the beans before adding them to a large bowl.
Using a cutting board, chop and dice up your green onion, tomatoes, and jalapeno. I suggest you remove the jalapeno seeds and membranes (unless you want the dip extra spicy). You can also cut the amount of jalapeno in half or leave it out completely if you’re worried about it being too spicy, though I don’t think it is at all.
Add everything into the bowl with the beans as well. Next, pour vinaigrette over vegetables and beans and stir to combine.
Finally, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving with tortillas chips, or whatever you like.
Tips
- Rinse, drain, and pat dry the beans before adding them to the bowl. Drying the beans leaves no room for unwanted liquid.
- I use store-bought Italian dressing but you can also make your own. This Texas Caviar can also be made with balsamic vinaigrette or any vinaigrette of your choice. To make your own vinaigrette you can use extra virgin olive oil, white wine, or red wine vinegar.
- The longer you let the flavors settle, the richer the flavors become.
- For dipping you can use so many things – Nachos, Frito Scoops, Corn Chips, Tortilla Chips, or Tostitos scoops.
- Leftovers. Leftover Cowboy Caviar holds up extremely well. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Other recipes I think you will love!
Easy Potato Salad (European style)
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Cowboy Caviar Dip (Texas caviar)
Ingredients
- 15.5 oz cans of black beans drained and rinsed
- 15.5 oz can of black-eyed peas drained and rinsed
- 15.5 oz can of pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can of whole kernel corn drained and rinsed
- 2 fresh Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 Jalapeno pepper seeded and finely diced
- 1 bunch of green onion chopped
- 1 bottle Italian dressing
Instructions
- Rinse, drain, and pat dry the beans before adding them to a large bowl.
- Chop and dice up your green onion, tomatoes, and jalapeno. I suggest you remove the jalapeno seeds and membranes (unless you want the dip extra spicy). You can also cut the amount of jalapeno in half or leave it out completely if you’re worried about it being too spicy, though I don’t think it is at all.
- Add everything into the bowl with the beans as well.
- Next, pour the whole bottle of the Italian Dressing over vegetables and beans and stir to combine.
- Finally, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving with tortillas chips, or whatever you like.
