Cowboy Caviar Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

By: Becky Hardin

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This easy Cowboy Caviar recipe is simple to make and takes just 10 minutes. Dressed in a light vinaigrette, this appetizer is perfect to feed a crowd and can be made ahead of time. Texas caviar is healthy, vegan, and gluten-free.

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Why We Love This Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Time for a classic appetizer that’s packed full of flavor. Somewhere between a dip and a salad, it’s so easy to whip up a big batch of this cowboy caviar for easy entertaining. Perfect for game day and all your host(ess)ing needs!

Variations on Texas Caviar

This is a traditional cowboy caviar recipe, and it’s delicious as is, but the following would make excellent additions:

  • avocado
  • red bell pepper
  • crumbled feta
  • scallions
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Cowboy Caviar Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover cowboy caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving chilled.

How to Freeze

Freeze cowboy caviar in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw for at least 12 hours (or up to overnight) in the refrigerator before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This cowboy caviar is an awesome appetizer or even a great side dish salad! You can eat it with tortilla chips, use it as a topping for chicken nachos, or even eat it with afork as a salad.

I like to serve it alongside baked hamburgers, crockpot ribs, chicken tacos, beef enchiladas, or sloppy joes.

Is cowboy caviar healthy?

Texas caviar is a great option to serve at a party if you want to offer up a healthy choice. You get tons of vitamins and minerals from all the veggies in this recipe and the beans add protein and fiber. It is naturally vegan and gluten-free too!

Can you freeze cowboy caviar?

Yes! This salad freezes (and thaws!) extremely well. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and give it a quick toss before serving.

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More Salsa Recipes To Try

  • Mango Salsa
  • Avocado Corn Salsa
  • Italian Salsa
  • Salsa Fresca
  • Mexican Street Corn Salsa

5-Star Review

“I really can’t wait to make it again! It was so good!” -Toni

Recipe

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

4.70 from 13 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 10 minutes minutes

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Serves8 people

Print Rate

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This easy Texas caviar recipe takes just 10 minutes, feeds a crowd, and is healthy to boot!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 4 roma tomatoes diced (seeds removed)
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • 1 green bell pepper diced (seeds removed)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper diced (seeds and spine removed)
  • 2 cups frozen sweet corn no need to thaw
  • 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed (1 can)
  • 15 ounces black eyed peas drained and rinsed (1 can)
  • cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the Dressing

  • cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice (from 1½ limes)
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ tablespoon honey

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients for the salad.

    4 roma tomatoes, ½ cup diced red onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 jalapeño pepper, 2 cups frozen sweet corn, 15 ounces black beans, 15 ounces black eyed peas, ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro

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  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.

    ⅓ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, ½ tablespoon honey

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  • Pour the dressing over the cowboy caviar and stir to combine/coat.

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  • Store in the fridge to marinate for 1 hour before serving if time allows.

  • Serve chilled with tortilla chips.

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

    • I used frozen corn in this recipe, but you could also use frozen or fresh.
    • Use the freshest veggies you can, preferably organic.
    • If you prefer things spicy, leave the jalapeño seeds in.
    • Let the salad marinate for at least 1 hour before serving (if time allows) for the best taste.
    • This salad can be prepared up to 4 hours in advance of serving.

    Storage:Store cowboy caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 251kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 33g (11%) Protein: 9g (18%) Fat: 10g (15%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 7g Sodium: 503mg (22%) Potassium: 543mg (16%) Fiber: 9g (38%) Sugar: 7g (8%) Vitamin A: 550IU (11%) Vitamin C: 29mg (35%) Calcium: 43mg (4%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

    Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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    Cowboy Caviar Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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    How to Make Cowboy Caviar Step by Step

    Make the Salad: In a large bowl, stir together 4 diced roma tomatoes, ½ cup of diced red onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 1 diced jalapeño pepper, 2 cups of frozen sweet corn, 15 ounces (1 can) of drained and rinsed black beans, 15 ounces (1 can) of drained and rinsed black eyed peas, and ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro.

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    Make the Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar, and ½ tablespoon of honey.

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    Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the cowboy caviar and stir to combine/coat. Store in the fridge to marinate for 1 hour before serving if time allows before serving chilled with tortilla chips.

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)

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    Cowboy Caviar Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

    FAQs

    What is Cowboy Caviar controversy? ›

    After Bria's recipe got popular on TikTok, several people called her out for cultural appropriation, claiming that cowboy caviar was a white-washed version of the popular Mexican salsa, pico de gallo, which is traditionally made with chopped tomato, onion, serrano peppers, and cilantro.

    What is Cowboy Caviar made of? ›

    Cowboy Caviar (or Cowboy Salsa) is a popular chip dip that originated out of Texas. It's also sometimes called Texas Caviar and it's made with simple, healthy ingredients including: beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, and tomato. It is the perfect appetizer for parties, potlucks, or game day!

    Why is Cowboy Caviar so good? ›

    WELL, the Cowboy Caviar is full of different colorful plants such as peppers, jalapeno, tomatoes, onion, corn, cilantro, and more which means a large variety of nutrients in every bite! The punch of nutrition packed with the fiber rich beans is a great gut-friendly combo to enjoy!

    How long will Cowboy Caviar last in the refrigerator? ›

    How long can you keep Cowboy Caviar in the fridge? If stored in an airtight container this dip can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Keep in mind, the longer your dip sits in the fridge the more excess liquid that will accumulate. Just drain off excess juices and enjoy!

    Why is caviar banned in us? ›

    The ban aimed to curb poaching and encourage more sustainable caviar harvesting. For nations to continue exporting wild sturgeon products, they had to prove their efforts to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES).

    What is cowboy caviar from Trader Joe's? ›

    Instead of black- eyed peas, however, our “caviar” of choice is black beans that are mixed together with corn, onions and red bell peppers. Pickled in a blend of chipotle peppers, adobo sauce and lime juice, this crunchy, savory salsation carries southwestern character and enough heat to take note.

    What is the real name for cowboy caviar? ›

    In the Southern climate, it's always nice to have a list of refreshing dishes that are easy to prepare. One popular dish is cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar.

    How many calories are in cowboy caviar? ›

    Calories in Cowboy Caviar - per 1 cup serving
    Calories142.3
    Total Fat4.9 g
    Saturated Fat0.7 g
    Polyunsaturated Fat1.0 g
    Monounsaturated Fat2.7 g
    8 more rows

    What are the white balls in caviar? ›

    To be considered caviar, the roe must come from sturgeon, or fish of the Acipenseridae family. The unfertilized sturgeon eggs are still considered roe until they're salt-cured, at which point it becomes a delicacy known as caviar.

    Why is caviar for rich people? ›

    The eggs from these fish are carefully extracted and cured with salt to develop their signature texture and complex flavor. Caviar is considered a luxury due to its scarcity, labor-intensive production, and exorbitant pricing.

    What is New Orleans caviar? ›

    What is Cajun Caviar®? CAJUN CAVIAR® is a Louisiana seafood delicacy hand harvested from the Choupique fish of the fresh waters of the Atchafalaya Basin. The natural black color and delicate taste of the roe is not compromised by artificial additives, colorings or preservatives.

    What is the most delicious caviar in the world? ›

    If you ask chefs and other authorities in the culinary industry about the best caviar in the world, you'll probably hear Beluga caviar repeatedly. It comes from Beluga sturgeons that swim in the pollution-free waters of the Caspian Sea.

    What is the best way to eat black beans? ›

    Best Black Bean Recipes

    Season them with lime juice and zest, chili powder, oregano, and/or cilantro, and serve them as a side dish with Mexican or Latin American-inspired dishes like tacos or taquitos. Paired with some cilantro lime rice, they could also pass as a meal on their own!

    What is the easiest food to serve at a party? ›

    Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
    1. Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
    2. Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
    3. Deviled Eggs. ...
    4. Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
    5. Garlic Breadsticks. ...
    6. Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
    7. Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
    8. Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
    May 29, 2024

    When did Cowboy Caviar come out? ›

    First served at the Houston Country Club on New Year's Eve in the early 1940s, this bean salad was dubbed “Texas Caviar” in a humorous comparison to true caviar. Today it's more commonly known as Cowboy Caviar and it's a popular dish to serve as at picnics and tailgate parties, often with tortilla chips.

    Why is caviar controversial? ›

    Caviar has been criticized and even banned in some jurisdictions for its extreme impact on wild sturgeons, which are the most endangered species group on earth. Sturgeons are intelligent and complex fishes who have lived on this planet for over 200 million years.

    What's the big deal about caviar? ›

    Caviar is prized for its velvety texture and one-of-a-kind taste. The smooth pearls gently pop when bitten, delivering a nuanced sweet, nutty, and briny flavor with marine undertones. Critics call caviar a multi-sensory experience, with savory umami bursts and indulgent texture contrasts.

    What is the most ethical caviar? ›

    Dariqus Caviar | Leading the world in ethical caviar production| – Ethical & Sustainable.

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