• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Savory Thoughts
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetarian
    • Sweets
    • Drinks and Cocktails
    • Seafood
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vitamix
    • Haitian
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Quick Easy & Delicious Haitian Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Main Dish » The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

    The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

    Posted On September 3, 2021 By Mirlene Last updated January 6, 2022 124 Comments

    • Pin
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Mix
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe
    COWBOY CAVIAR PINTEREST PIN

    Perfectly serve Cowboy Caviar or Texas Caviar as a side dish and or as an appetizer. The easiest and most simple dip to make in 15-20 minutes. Every bite includes a sharp sweet flavor.

    The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever in white bowls

    This recipe includes fresh lime juice, garlic powder, white wine vinegar, and sugar to name a few. A great recipe to include as a salad topping or taco filling.

    This veggie cattleman caviar, as it is sometimes referred to, is the easiest side dish you could make and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. If you are press for time, the Texas caviar can be made the night before. Did I also mention that this recipe is also healthy?

    Reasons why this Texas Caviar recipe works:

    I first came across cowboy caviar a few years ago while surfing the internet for side dishes for my upcoming BBQ gathering. I was curious when I came across a similar recipe because the ingredients reminded me of an actual Haitian meal, CHAKA.

     
    caviar dip in white bowl

     I altered the recipe a bit by adding my own touch to it. This recipe has now become a staple in my home for small gatherings. This cowboy caviar or Texas caviar has been requested so much; I can now make it with my eyes closed.

    • The acidic flavors from the lime and the white wine vinegar, along with the sugar, gave this side dish a savory sweet richness.
    • It is a simple recipe that can be made quickly or ahead of time.
    • This recipe is also delicious with BBQ meats, hence the reason why I sometimes pair it with my BBQ Chicken recipe.
    • Goes well with plain tortilla chips.
    • When prepared ahead of time, it allows the opportunity for the flavors to fully settle.
    • This Texas salad refrigerates and reheats well.

    Some other recommended dishes that will pair well with this caviar recipe are the Mexican street corn. and if interested in a Caribbean fusion flavor I would recommend the Haitian tacos or the Jerk chicken wings. 

    What’s included in the Cowboy Salad recipe?

    It depends on your taste. I am not a fan of the tomatoes in this dip, so I left it out. I personally love acidity and spices mixed. However, the base ingredients include all of the followings:

    Bean salsa ingredients
    • Canned beans; black and black-eyed peas
    • Sweet kernel corn
    • White wine vinegar
    • Bell peppers; I used orange and red bell peppers
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Chili powder
    • Sugar and salt

    All you need is a large mixing bowl to prepare this mouthwatering cowboy salad recipe.

    Texas Caviar Preparation Tip:

    • Rinse, drain, and pat dry the beans before adding them to the bowl. Drying the beans leaves no room for unwanted liquid.
    • The longer you let the flavors settle, the richer the flavors become.
    • Add ½ tsp. of cayenne pepper to give the dip a little kick.
    • This Texas Salad can also be made with balsamic vinaigrette or any vinaigrette of your choice instead of adding white wine vinegar. I’ve even made it with raspberry vinaigrette.
    Ingredients in large green bowl

    Making Cowboy Caviar

    Making this Texas salad is very simple – here’s how to do it:

    • First and foremost, drain and rinse your beans and corn. I used a couple cleaned paper towels to pat dry the beans and corn after they are rinsed.
    • Using a cutting board, chop and dice all of your vegetables and set them aside.
    • Press and roll, cut the lime in half.
    • Add all of the dry ingredients first then add all of the liquid ingredients one at a time.
    • Mix it all together and serve.

    Did you make this delicious Texas salad? Tag me on Instagram or Facebook and please give it a star rating below!

    The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever
    The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe

    Savory Thoughts
    Perfectly serve Cowboy Caviar as a side dish and or as an appetizer. The easiest and most simple dip to make in 15-20 minutes. Every bite includes a sharp sweet flavor.
    4.79 from 160 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Sides
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 People
    Calories 412 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 15.5 oz. black beans
    • 15.5 oz. black-eyed peas
    • 15 oz. sweet corn
    • 1 cup cilantro chopped
    • ½ cup red bell pepper chopped or diced
    • ½ cup orange bell pepper chopped or diced
    • ½ cup red onions diced
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • ½ tsp. kosher salt
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
    • ¼ tsp. garlic powder

    Instructions
     

    • Drain, rinse and pat dry the beans and corn. Transfer to a large bowl. 
      ingredients in a large bowl to make salsa bean dip
    • Add the cilantro and the remaining ingredients to the beans and corn mixture. Stir to combine.
      cilantro on top of bans and corn
    • Serve cold or at room temperature. 
      bean salsa dip in white bowl

    Video

    Notes

    Recipe Tip:

    • Lightly warm the salad if refrigerated overnight to loosen up the liquid/oil or thaw for 1 hour before serving.

    **This post was first published in May 2018. It is now republished with a video** 

    Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 12peopleCalories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 69.6gProtein: 16.2gFat: 11.5gSaturated Fat: 1.7gSodium: 139mgPotassium: 1169mgFiber: 12.4gSugar: 12gCalcium: 40mgIron: 7.6mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    « Baked Chicken And Rice
    Lebanese Falafel Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Allison W.

      December 27, 2022 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe- Just curious if the Calories are for all 12 servings or per serving.
      Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Sharon

      December 24, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite cowboy caviar recipe!!! I used 2 cans of corn, omitted jalapeño pepper, used apple cider vinegar instead of white wine vinegar, and used 1/2 tsp chili powder and 1/2 tsp cumin. Very tasty. Served for Christmas dinner with grilled steaks and baked potatoes. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        December 26, 2022 at 7:56 pm

        Thank you very much, Sharon!

        Reply
    3. Sarah

      December 22, 2022 at 9:24 pm

      Which chips do you like to pair with this dip?

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        December 24, 2022 at 12:12 am

        I like serve them with the Tostitos Scoops Tortilla Chips

        Reply
    4. Stacey

      September 13, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      is the sugar amount correct? it seems like a lot.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        September 15, 2022 at 12:34 am

        Hi Stacey,
        Yes, the sugar amount is correct. Please adjust it to your liking.

        Reply
        • Stacey

          September 27, 2022 at 3:05 pm

          Thank you! can’t wait to make it.

          Reply
    5. Laura

      August 08, 2022 at 10:29 pm

      5 stars
      Soooooo good! This will be my go-to cowboy caviar recipe for sure!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 09, 2022 at 8:42 pm

        Thank you so much, Laura!

        Reply
    6. Luke Rolland

      July 19, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! loved the slight tang working with sweetness 10/10!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 02, 2022 at 6:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Claire

      July 16, 2022 at 2:01 am

      5 stars
      Made this for a family party, we all loved it! Enjoyed the leftovers the following day over rice with salsa. Will make this healthy easy dish again 🙂

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 02, 2022 at 6:37 pm

        Thank you, Claire!

        Reply
    8. Lexie Seger

      July 09, 2022 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      Really delicious and super easy to modify based on what you have and taste preferences. We like a little spice so I added diced jalapeño and some chili flakes. I used a little less oil and vinegar and thought it was perfect. It’s delicious right away but it really does get better as it sits for a bit. The flavors marinate and blend together. Was a big hit! Served with chips at a gathering but I plan to make it again to top some of our favorite Mexican dishes.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        July 15, 2022 at 2:52 am

        Thank you so much, Lexie!

        Reply
      • Cathy

        July 30, 2022 at 3:02 am

        5 stars
        Excellent every time I make it. This time I used white wine vinegar instead of balsamic. Everyone loves it.

        Reply
        • Mirlene

          August 02, 2022 at 6:31 pm

          Thank you so much, Cathy!!!!

          Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    We’re AJ & Mirlene. We create delicious traditional Haitian Food Recipes with a spin to make it easy for you to make. Join us and let's cook something delicious!

    Learn more about us ->

    Savory Thoughts Author Portrait

    As Seen On

    Favorite Recipes

    Copyright © 2023 · SAVORYTHOUGHTS.COM · Privacy Policy