This easy cowboy caviar recipe is the perfect appetizer or even a light dinner. Enjoy it with a bowl of chips, as a baked potato claw, or on top of a plate of nachos!
Click here for the full recipe!
And if you like this recipe, be sure to try my Spicy Frito Corn Salad too! Crazy good!
What is Caviar Cowboy?
It’s a fun name right? Cowboy Caviar aka Texas Caviar is a bean style salsa that originates from…you guessed it…Texas! It’s a cross between a chunky salsa and a bean dip, with a very simple vinaigrette to add tons of flavor. It usually includes black peas, but I don’t like it, so my version uses any black beans! I also include a not-so-secret ingredient to really bring out all the flavors: granulated sugar! There are tons of cowboy caviar variations out there, so feel free to get creative! I’ve included some ideas later in this post! This is the perfect dip to bring to a buffet, or a BBQ!
Component:
For the full list of ingredients Click here!
- Black beans, washed and drained
- Canned corn, drained
- Ru-tel (cut tomatoes and green chili), well filtered
- Fresh cilantro
- Red pepper
- his replacements
- red onion
- cumin
- Garlic powder
- kosher salt
- Sugar. It may seem strange to add sugar to this recipe, but it really works! You can definitely add less, or even omit it entirely, but I definitely recommend you give it a try. The subtle sweetness goes so well with the salty ingredients, enhancing the overall taste! I also really like using extra fine granulated sugar because it dissolves so quickly. It’s great if you serve it right away. But don’t worry if you don’t have very fine sugar. Any grain will work!
- Any light oil. I like to use avocado oil or light olive oil!
- Lemon juice
- Ripe avocado
How to make cowboy caviar/instructions:
- All you have to do is add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine.
- This can be enjoyed immediately or cover the bowl and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld. If you let it sit in the fridge for a few hours everything comes together nicely, making it a great recipe to make for entertaining!
How to serve cowboy caviar:
The choice is in your hands! Here are some obvious and not-so-obvious serving ideas:
- With tortilla chips! This is the most obvious and popular serving idea for caviar cowboy.
- On top of a baked potato! This is such a great idea and way to turn your potato into a meal. Just add a little butter, cheese, sour cream and a whole lot of cowboy caviar. So good!
- If you love making nachos, this is a great addition.
- I have a Cowboy Caviar Pizza recipe here on my site that works great on it!
- On top of grilled chicken or steak! I grill tons of chicken breasts, especially in the summer, and this is so good served right on top with a sprinkling of cottage cheese!
- Inside a burrito!
- As an addition on Rosh Hashanah! Sub Black Eyed Peas to a can of black beans and you have a traditional New Year’s Eve side dish!
- Every night you make a Tex-Mex or taco dinner!
- In a burrito bowl with your favorite protein and rice!
- On a taco salad!
Can you make this cowboy caviar recipe in advance?
- If you plan to make this recipe in advance, wait to add the avocado until serving, especially if you are making the day before. The avocado can brown a little the longer it sits, and that’s fine for the flavor, but it’s nice to add it at the last minute to look the prettiest!
- If you make them in advance, you may notice liquid forms in the bowl as the vegetables prepare. All you have to do is stir the mixture with the liquid, to maximize the flavor and then drain all the excess.
- You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days sealed.
Recipe tips:
- Chop everything the same size! This is such a simple recipe to make that chopping the ingredients is the main part of the preparation! Since you’ll likely be serving this with chips, it’s best if all the ingredients are evenly diced so it dips easily like a chunky salsa!
- Wash your cilantro well! There is nothing worse than putting sand cilantro in your cowboy caviar!
- Be sure to drain the Ro-tel box well. The mixture will form liquids naturally so there is no need to add. Same goes for the corn and black beans!
Variations:
This is one of those recipes that can be changed endlessly. Whether it’s with spices, or vegetables, the possibilities are endless! Here are some easy ideas:
- If fresh tomatoes are in season, you are welcome to replace the Ro-Tel box with fresh ones. You can add some diced green chilies if you want too!
- Omit the cilantro. I know so many don’t like cilantro, so it’s a very simple ingredient to leave out (even though I personally love it!). Just start with chopped flat leaf parsley instead!
- Change the spices and add what you like! Cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chili powder are some great seasoning additions!
- Use the Black Eyed Peas along with the Black Beans. I don’t like black peas, so I like to use all black beans in my recipe, but you can substitute them if you want, like pinto beans. Honestly most beans will work in the recipe.
- Use orange, yellow or green pepper along with or in place of the red pepper if you prefer!
- Add some scallions! You can do this at the last minute for decoration or mix them right in!
- Use pickled jalapenos instead of fresh.
- If you don’t have fresh lime juice, substitute lemon juice or even white or red wine vinegar!
Check out the full recipe here! This recipe was made in collaboration with my friends at Imperial Sugar. Thanks for supporting the brands that continue to make this site possible!
penis For a later date:
