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The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

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The BEST Cowboy Caviar Recipe Ever!

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.

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 or Texas salad 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, this salad can be made the night before. Did I also mention that this recipe is also healthy?

Reasons why this cowboy caviar recipe works:

I first came across cowboy caviar on Meggan’s blog, Culinary Hill, a year or so ago when I was looking for side dishes for my BBQ gatherings. I altered the recipe by adding my own touch to it which has now become a staple in my home for small gatherings. This cowboy caviar or Texas salad has been requested so much, I can now make it with my eyes closed.

  • The acidic flavor from the lime, and the white wine vinegar along with the sugar give 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 meat, 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. Refrigerates well. Reheat well.

The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

What’s included in the Cowboy Caviar recipe?

It depends on your taste. I am not a fan of the tomatoes in this dip so I leave it out. I personally love acid and spice. However, the base ingredients include the following below:

  • 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 salad.

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.

The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

Making Cowboy Caviar

How to make the 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.

Savory Thought: The master is a beginner that never gave up. – Avina Celeste.

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
4.63 from 56 votes
Print

The BEST Cowboy Caviar Recipe Ever

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.

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Sides
Cuisine American
Keyword caviar recipes, Cowboy Caviar, cowboy caviar recipe, cowboy salad, Texas Salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
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
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped or diced
  • 1/2 cup orange bell pepper chopped or diced
  • 1/2 cup red onions diced
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions

Make Cowboy Caviar

  1. Drain, rinse and pat dry the beans and corn. transfer to a large bowl. 

    Add the cilantro and the remaining ingredients to the beans and corn mixture. 

    Stir to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature. 

Recipe Video

Recipe 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 Facts
The BEST Cowboy Caviar Recipe Ever
Amount Per Serving (12 people)
Calories 412 Calories from Fat 104
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11.5g 18%
Saturated Fat 1.7g 9%
Sodium 139mg 6%
Potassium 1169mg 33%
Total Carbohydrates 69.6g 23%
Dietary Fiber 12.4g 50%
Sugars 12g
Protein 16.2g 32%
Calcium 4%
Iron 42%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever

Reader Interactions

Comments


  4. I have never heard of cowboy caviar but Woah do I need to try it! Such the perfect thing to scoop up with fresh tortilla chips. I can’t wait to bring this to my next BBQ 🙂

    Reply


  5. This is beautiful!!! Although I’m not a fan of beans, my husband would eat this up in a heart beat! I can’t get over those colors though wow!

    Reply


  9. I keep seeing this on Pinterest, but I really need to try it. I am loving all the colours going on!

    Reply

  12. The colors in this dip are absolutely fabulous!! Your tips are awesome too… I will definitely be trying this to take to an upcoming family gathering!

    Reply


  14. This is not only delicious, but such a colorful and pretty dish to place on your table when doing some summer entertaining. I like how you can make it ahead of time.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Mirley. Yes, I have warm up the beans lightly when it is made ahead of time. Just enough to loosen up the oil.

      Reply


  17. This BEST Cowboy Caviar Recipe looks so delicious! I will definitely make it soon. 🙂 I really like how you served it with plain tortilla chips!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Helena! let me know how you like when you do make it. It’s a great balance with plain tortillas.

      Reply

  20. I like the ingredients of The BEST Cowboy Caviar Ever. In combination the blended taste would make for a good tasting recipe. My husband would love the acidic flavor from the lime, and the white wine vinegar along with the sugar,

    Reply

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