Cowboy Caviar is a simple, yet flavorful dish that’s theperfect appetizerand agreat source of protein. This dish is a mix offresh vegetablesand beans, dressed intangy lime dressing, making it a totally addictive snack or side dish!
Why You’ll Love Cowboy Caviar
There are several reasons why you’ll love making and eating Cowboy Caviar. First, it’s aneasy recipethat doesn’t require any complex cooking skills or equipment. All you need is a chopping board, a knife, and a couple of bowls. Second, it’s a versatile dish that can be served in many ways – as a dip withtortilla chips, as aside salad, or even as a topping for grilled meats. Lastly, it’s packed withfresh ingredients, making it not only tasty but also a healthier option compared to many store-bought dips and snacks.
What is Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar, also known asTexas Caviar, is a type of dip or salad that consists of beans, vegetables, and a simplevinaigrette dressing. It’s a bright and colorful dish with a mix ofdifferent flavors. The key ingredients typically includeblack eyed peas, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and a variety of peppers, all tossed in a light dressing. This is a versatile dish that can be changed-up to suit your tastes!
How to Make Cowboy Caviar
Making Cowboy Caviar is straightforward and doesn’t require much time. The primary task is chopping the ingredients and mixing them together. It’s agreat recipeto make if you’re in a rush or need a last-minute dish for a gathering.
Ingredients
To make Cowboy Caviar, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 3roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 15 ozcanned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz canblack-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozensweet corn, thawed
- 1red bell pepper, diced
- 1 smallred onion, diced small
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed, diced small
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing
- 1/4 cupolive oil
- 3 tablespoonsred wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoonsfresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One:In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, avocado,red onion, black beans,black-eyed peas, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. Gently stir your ingredients to combine.
Step Two:In a separatesmall bowl, whisk togetherolive oil,fresh lime juice,red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step Three:Pour the dressing over the other ingredients and gently stir to combine. Be sure everything is well-coated!
Step Four:Serve immediately withtortilla chips, or chill, making sure to toss the ingredients just before serving thissimple dip.
Substitutions and Variations
Cowboy Caviar is a flexible dish that allows for various substitutions and variations. If you don’t haveblack-eyed peas, you can use othertypes of beanslikepinto beans,garbanzo beans, or even amix of black beans.
For a different flavor, you can substitutered wine vinegarwithwhite wine vinegar. If you’re looking for more vegetables, addgreen bell peppers,orange bell peppers, orcherry tomatoes. For an extra kick, add more jalapeños or even a dash of hot sauce. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can leave it out or replace it with parsley.
Best Tips
- UseFresh Ingredients:Fresh vegetablesand herbs make a big difference in the flavor of this dish. Use ripe,fresh avocadoandfresh cornfor the best results.
- Drain and Rinse Beans:To prevent a mushy texture, ensure you drain and rinse the canned beans thoroughly.
- Chill Before Serving:Letting the cowboy caviar chill for a few hours allows the flavors to meld together better.
- Adjust Seasoning:Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sometimes a bit more salt or lime juice can brighten up the flavors.
- Serve with a Variety of Chips:Mexican caviarpairs well withtortilla chips,corn chips, or even pita chips.
How to StoreCowboy Caviar Dip
Store anyleftover cowboy caviarin anairtight containerin the refrigerator. It will keep well for3-4 days. It’s important to note that the avocado might brown slightly, but it’s still safe to eat. If you want to prevent this, you can add the avocado just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Cowboy Caviar ahead of time?
Yes, you can make thisblack bean saladahead of time. Just store it in anairtight containerin the refrigerator. It’s a great make-ahead dish for parties or gatherings.
Is Cowboy Caviar gluten-free?
Yes, cowboy caviar is naturally gluten-free. However, be sure to check the ingredients of the chips you serve it with if gluten is a concern.
Can I freeze Cowboy Caviar?
It’s not recommended to freeze cowboy caviar because it can alter the texture of thefresh vegetablesand beans.
How can I make Cowboy Caviar spicier?
To make cowboy caviar spicier, you can add more jalapeños, include the seeds, or add a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
What can I serve with Cowboy Caviar?
Cowboy caviar can be served as a dip with chips, as aside salad, or even as a topping for grilled meats or tacos.
Cowboy Caviar is a simple, flavorful, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, aside dishfor your meal, or a tasty addition to yourgame dayspread, thiseasy recipeis sure to be a hit. With itsfresh ingredientsand simple preparation, cowboy caviar is agreat additionto any home cook’s recipe collection. Give it a try thenext timeyou’re in need of a quick, delicious, and healthy option!
More Delicious Recipes
- Easy Vegan Chili
- Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
- Doritos Chicken Casserole
Yield: 10 servings
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Loaded with bright and nutritious vegetables and beans, this cowboy caviar recipe truly tastes like heaven!
Ingredients
- 3 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced small
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed, diced small
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
DRESSING
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, avocado, red onion, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. Gently stir your ingredients to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Pour the dressing over the other ingredients and gently stir to combine. Be sure everything is well-coated!
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, or chill, making sure to toss the ingredients just before serving!
Notes
Calories do not include tortilla chips.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 335
