Easy Cowboy Caviar sometimes called Texas Caviar or Mexican Caviar, is a healthy appetizer full of colorful veggies, hearty beans and tossed in a zesty, tangy homemade dressing.
In ten quick minutes I love that I can have a tasty, fresh dish for sharing. Colorful it is perfect for any party table with its vibrant colors. Bright and packed with flavor this salsa is filling and delicious.
Dips and salsas are the perfect go-to option for bringing to any get together. Easy Cowboy Caviar easily gives our other favorite party dips like Seven Layer Dip or restaurant style Pico De Gallo a run for their money.
If serving a large crowd try bringing along some of our other favorite appetizers like Honey Garlic Meatballs, mini sized Chicken Roll Ups, French Dip Sliders, or creamy Rotel Sausage Dip.
Jump to:
- Ingredients for Cowboy Caviar
- Make it Your Own
- How do I serve Cowboy Caviar?
- How long can you keep Cowboy Caviar in the fridge?
- 📖 Recipe
Ingredients for Cowboy Caviar
Easy Cowboy Caviar is basically the coming together of a simple fresh salsa and a tangy bean salad. Such fresh ingredients make for a satisfying and healthy snack that never disappoints.
- black beans
- sweet corn
- red onion
- tomatoes
- jalapeno
- cilantro
- lime juice
- olive oil
- cumin
- salt and pepper
Made up of beans and fresh cut veggies that means it is gluten free, vegetarian and vegan friendly! Making this the perfect dish for all party guests to enjoy!
Make it Your Own
Like I mentioned before, one reason this recipe is so awesome is how fast it comes together. All you pretty much have to do is chop up some veggies and toss together everything in a bowl.
To keep things simple we love using our veggie chopper to get the job done. We also use canned black beans and sweet corn to cut down on prep time. But you could definitely use frozen or fresh corn off the cob if preferred.
We are big advocates of taking any recipe and making it your own. Here are a few suggestions of great add ins or ingredients to use if hoping to change things up.
- Chunked Avocado
- Chickpeas, Pinto or Black-Eyed Peas
- Chopped Red or Green Bell Peppers
- Splash of White Wine Vinegar
- Use Rotel in place of Tomatoes for quicker prep time
- Swap Italian Dressing in place of the Cumin and Lime Juice
How do I serve Cowboy Caviar?
Make this recipe ahead of time and allow to chill so everything can come together for an explosion of incredible flavor. This colorful side dish is perfect for parties, get togethers or grilling.
Spruce up your next taco or enchilada night with this delicious dip.
Fresh and slightly sweet Easy Cowboy Caviar is perfect for pairing with salty, crisp tortilla chips or served on top of your favorite Mexican dishes.
And don’t be afraid to put a big ole spoonful on top of grilled chicken or steak for a bite of extra fresh flavor!
Some of our favorite ways to enjoy are serving it alongside these easy Freezer Burritos or in our Grilled Southwest Lettuce Wraps with a homemade cream sauce!
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!
BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
AMISH BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
📖 Recipe
Cowboy Caviar
Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Full of colorful veggies, hearty beans and tossed in a zesty, tangy homemade dressing, this tastes even better than it looks!
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can sweet corn, drained
- 1 ½ cups red onion, diced
- 2 cups roma tomatoes, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
- ¼cup chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½teaspoon cumin
- ½teaspoon salt
- ½teaspoon pepper
- ½ tablespoon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prep all the ingredients as listed.
- Place everything in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Cover tightly and allow to chill until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Serve with tortilla chips, on grilled meats or on your favorite Mexican dishes.
- Make it your own by adding chopped bell pepper, black eyed peas, avocado or any of the other items we suggested in the section above..
- Can be enjoyed if stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 72Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 172mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g
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FAQs
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!
What is cowboy caviar made of? ›
Mix black beans, black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño peppers together in a large bowl. Season with garlic salt, then pour in Italian salad dressing and add cilantro. Mix until well coated. Refrigerate until flavors have melded, at least 20 minutes or up to 3 days, before serving.
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 original name of cowboy caviar? ›
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.
Can you eat Cowboy Caviar by itself? ›
How to Serve Cowboy Caviar. A great thing about this dish is that you can serve it different ways. It's packed full of tasty vegetables, so it can be enjoyed by itself. With sweet corn, rich beans, and some peppers for flavor and heat, it really does work on its own as a side or salad.
Why is Cowboy Caviar so good? ›
It's packed with dietary fiber and plant-based protein, too. This healthy cowboy caviar recipe is essentially a fresh salsa packed with amazing-for-you simple ingredients like tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, beans, and corn and then tossed in an easy delicious lime dressing.
What is the controversy with cowboy caviar? ›
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.
Is caviar healthy for you? ›
Yes. Caviar is one of the most nutritious foods in the world. It offers a vast list of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats and helps boost your immune system. Additionally, it is beneficial for people suffering from depression due to its high omega-3 content, which helps boost your mood.
Why is caviar so good? ›
Caviar, with its complex briny flavor and creamy texture, offers a unique culinary experience and a nutritious boost of protein and healthy fats. Its prestige stems from its scarcity and labor-intensive production, requiring skilled harvesting to yield perfect roe pearls.
How much protein is in Cowboy Caviar? ›
Nutrition Information
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Total Sugars | 2 g |
| Added Sugars included | 0 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
10 more rowsShe first served the dish on New Year's Eve at the Houston Country Club. When she later served it at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, it was given its name, "Texas caviar," as a humorous comparison to true caviar, an expensive hors d'oeuvre of salt-cured fish roe.
Is Trader Joe's Cowboy Caviar gluten free? ›
Yes! We believe this product is gluten free as there are no gluten ingredients listed on the label.
How long does Texas caviar last in the fridge? ›
If you don't eat it all in one sitting, Cowboy Caviar will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. After that, the beans and vegetables do start to get a little mushy. I don't recommend freezing your Cowboy Caviar, it just isn't the same when it thaws. Plus, the dip is so easy to make…
Does Cowboy Caviar expire? ›
how long will cowboy caviar last in the fridge? Without the avocados, this cowboy salsa will last in the fridge for up to four days. If you add avocados, it's best to enjoy it within a day or two.
How long does caviar last in the fridge? ›
How can you tell if caviar has gone bad? ›
If your tin of caviar has a strong fishy smell it's probably best to ditch it. Like all eggs, the floating test is quite reliable. Drop a few caviar eggs in a cup of water, if they float the eggs are spoiled and should not be eaten.
How long do black beans last in the fridge? ›
Open beans can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days; while it may be tempting to store them right in the can, the USDA recommends transferring them to plastic or glass containers. Beans have a low acid content and this makes them slightly more perishable than more acidic canned foods.
