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.
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.
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:
- 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.
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!
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
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
Video
Notes
Recipe Tip:
- Lightly warm the salad if refrigerated overnight to loosen up the liquid/oil or thaw for 1 hour before serving.
Danielle
Loving all the colours going on there! This would go down very well at a party!
Shanika
Wow, this looks amazing! I love all the beans (my faves!) and how colorful it looks!
MDesir
Thank you, Shanika.
Tisha
I’ve seen several versions floating around and have yet to try this! Your recipe looks perfect! Can’t wait to try it
MDesir
Thank you for the compliment, Tisha! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Kelli Kerkman
This looks amazing! I love all of the vibrant colors.
MDesir
Thank you, Kelli!!
Ken Grenier
You do not have to be a cowboy to love this dish.
MDesir
Hahahaha! You are right, Ken!!!! This caviar is loved by all! 🙂 Thanks for reading!!
Sharon
Wow, first time I ever tasted cowboy caviar and so glad I picked this recipe. Absolutely delicious! I almost didn’t make it when I saw the high calorie count of 412 per serving. That didn’t seem right for the ingredients so I entered it on MyFitnessPal recipes. The count there is a much more reasonable 179 calories. I’m hoping they are right and enjoying every bite! Thank you for a fantastic recipe.
MDesir
Thank you very much, Sharon. It does sound much more reasonable. I will adjust that. I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe and I am SO glad to hear you are enjoying every bite. We love it in our home. I have not tried MyFitnessPal. I’ll definitely look into it. Thank you for your comment!
Heather
Talk about perfect summer food! What a gorgeous dish and the flavor combination is perfect. This would be the ideal bowl of yumminess at every summer BBQ!
Ruchi
Cowboy caviar is something my husband would it with two spoons. The name is absolutely hilarious but so true!
Marisa Franca
Oooh!! That looks so good and a perfect side any time of the year. We are going to have several family gatherings this summer and it would be great to have the Cowboy Caviar on the menu.
karyn ryan
Looks amazing so colourful and tasty perfect with tacos or BBQ
Veena Azmanov
Now that looks like one nutritious and healthy bowl of goodness. I love how colorful this is and I love all the beans you have there. Sounds so yum. This would be lunch for me!!
Adriana Lopez Martin
such a classic and perfect addition to grilling season I enjoy fresh and easy recipes that you can make and enjoy by everyone because who doesn’t like a bean salsa yummy!
Lauren @ Delicious Little Bites
I’ve heard of Cowboy Caviar before, but have never had it! It’s so colorful and looks perfect for outdoor entertaining this summer! Definitely giving it a try!
Pavani
That is such a colorful and delicious looking black bean salad. It has all my favorite ingredients — black beans, corn, peppers, black eyed peas — yum, yumm!! This is just perfect for a summer gathering. Thank you for sharing.
Claudia Lamascolo
I love this kind of caviar and beans are my all time favorite. I put them in my salads all the time. This would be a great addition to any meal and perfect for any appetizer.
April
This cowboy caviar is calling my name. I want to try it out. I like that you dried the beans first. I think I would have to cook the beans just a tad. Can I cook them or will that ruin the dish?
MDesir
You can definitely cook them. But I would only cook them for no less than 5-7 minutes. You don’t want to loose the texture.
Stine Mari
I’ve never heard of cowboy caviar before, but it’s definitely my kind of caviar! Those fresh colors are beautiful. I imagine it’s perfect for a bbq and tortilla chips. Thanks for the recipe!
Stine Mari
Those fresh colors deserve a rating too!
Nele
How colourful! Looks absolutely delicious 🙂
Casey
I LOVE Cowboy Caviar, and think the name is the best thing in the entire world! This looks absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to make it for my next BBQ.
Stephanie Simmons
They were sampling this at our local grocery store the other day and it was delicious! Can’t wait to make it at home 🙂
MDesir
That’s wonderful to hear. I hope you like this version as well.