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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

Easy Texas Caviar (Cowboy Caviar)

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Texas Caviar, also known as Cowboy Caviar, is a delicious dip or side dish with a tangy homemade dressing. This easy recipe is a great way to enjoy a mix of black beans, black-eyed peas and fresh vegetables. Originally created by Helen Corbitt at the Driskill Hotel, this healthy and vegetarian Texas Caviar recipe has become a favorite at family gatherings, potlucks and cookouts across Texas.

Texas caviar

Try my recipes for Chorizo Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers with Oaxaca Cheese, Carnitas Nachos and Leftover Brisket Queso.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Final Thoughts
  • Related
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

Texas caviar ingredients

Vegetables and Beans

  • Red onion
  • Green bell peppers
  • Red bell peppers
  • Roma tomatoes
  • Jalapeño peppers
  • Green onions
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Garlic cloves
  • Black-eyed peas
  • Black beans
  • Sweet corn

Homemade Dressing

  • Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Lime juice
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Cayenne pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine red onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, green onions, fresh cilantro and garlic.

Next, drain and rinse the canned beans and canned corn. Then add them to the large bowl with the chopped fresh ingredients.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lime juice, kosher salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture and stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Cover with an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour. For the best results, refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to blend.

Substitutions

Cherry tomatoes that have been cut in half can be used in place of Roma tomatoes. Apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar can be used in place of red wine vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is not recommended because it has a much stronger flavor and will discolor the fresh veggies. Fresh corn could be used in place of canned sweet corn, but would have to be cooked first.

Variations

For a spicier cowboy salad, add a teaspoon of chili powder.

Storage

Store leftover Texas Caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve Texas Caviar Dip with tortilla chips or corn chips
  • Enjoy it as a side salad alongside grilled meats
  • Use it as a topping for tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas
  • Serve it as an alternative to Pico de Gallo
  • Serve it as a vegetarian side dish

Final Thoughts

This Texas Caviar Dip is a huge hit at parties in Austin, Texas. This delicious dip is a must-try for anyone who loves fresh and vibrant flavors.

Texas caviar

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Chorizo stuffed jalapeño poppers.
    Chorizo Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers with Oaxaca Cheese
  • Carnitas nachos.
    Irresistible Carnitas Nachos - A Tex-Mex Delight
  • Brisket Queso
    From Feast to Fiesta: Leftover Brisket Queso
  • Carnitas Empanadas
    Homemade Carnitas Empanadas Made with Leftover Carnitas

📖 Recipe

Texas caviar

Easy Texas Caviar (Cowboy Caviar) Recipe

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Texas Caviar, also known as Cowboy Caviar, is a delicious dip or side dish packed with a tangy dressing. This easy recipe is a great way to enjoy a mix of black beans, black-eyed peas and fresh vegetables. Originally created by Helen Corbitt at the Driskill Hotel, this healthy and vegetarian Texas Caviar recipe has become a favorite at family gatherings, potlucks and cookouts across Texas.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer, Condiment
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Calories: 182
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

Vegetables and Beans
  • ½ red onion finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 3 Roma tomatoes diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper stemmed, seeded and minced
  • ½ cup green onions sliced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 15 oz cans black-eyed peas drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can corn whole kernel, drained and rinsed
Homemade Dressing
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • lime juice juice of 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine red onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, green onions, fresh cilantro and garlic.
  2. Drain and rinse the canned beans and canned corn. Add them to the large bowl with the chopped fresh ingredients.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lime juice, kosher salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper.
  4. Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover with an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour. For the best results, refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to blend.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 9gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 203mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 9gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 608IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 3mg

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Dave
Dave

I'm Dave, just a guy who likes to cook for family and friends and take pictures of what I make. I am not a chef. While some of my recipes might look complicated and intimidating, I assure you that they are all really quite easy. If you can cut an onion, you can make any recipe on this website. Have some fun and make something new.

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