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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Cowboy Caviar

    Cowboy Caviar

    Published: Apr 20, 2017 · Modified: Feb 5, 2023 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

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    Cowboy Caviar Recipe in a big white bowl
    Cowboy Caviar Dip Recipe

    This easy Cowboy Caviar dip is a colorful blend of fresh ingredients and mild spices with a touch of lime juice. It’s a wonderful appetizer to serve with your favorite tortilla chips and quick to make in less than 15 minutes.

    Love easy Mexican dip recipes? This Rotel Dip and this Layered Taco Dip are both absolute favorites too!

    Cowboy Caviar Recipe in a big white bowl

     

    I was first introduced to cowboy caviar at dinner with my mother-in-law a few years ago.  Some people refer to it as Texas Caviar or Mexican Caviar.  It’s a very popular, simple dip that is to made up of fresh ingredients – black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado and more!    

    Some versions are made with added sugar for a sweeter taste. Add a little diced jalapeno peppers for a spicy version.

    It can also be eaten as a salad or even as a fabulous Tex-Mex topping to fish, chicken and even Rice Bowls or this easy Salsa Verde Chicken.

    How to Make this Easy Cowboy Caviar Dip

    Cowboy Caviar is one of the easiest appetizer recipes to make.  It’s perfect for larger gatherings.

    In a large bowl, blend the olive oil, white wine vinegar, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, and salt together.

    Add the tomatoes, black-eyed peas, beans, corn, red onion, bell peppers, and cilantro.

    Cover and chill for at least an hour for flavors to blend.

    closeup of Cowboy Caviar recipe with corn black beans, tomatoes and cilantro in a white bowl

    Since it is made with beans and vegetables, Cowboy Caviar is gluten-free.  Be sure to choose a gluten-free chip, like tortillas chips to dip with.  It is also vegan!

    Variations

    You can always change up the extra ingredients in Cowboy Caviar if you prefer.  

    Try adding minced garlic, green bell peppers instead of red, feta cheese and/or black olives too.

    You can also substitute green onions for the red onions.  If you would like to make it without cilantro, feel free to do that as well if you prefer.

    Tips

    Mix up the Cowboy Caviar ahead of time (at least 3-4 hours) to allow the flavors to blend well together. 

    Serve with your favorite chips and be ready to hand out the recipe when you make it for a crowd.

    You can store Cowboy Caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.

    closeup of Cowboy Caviar recipe with corn black beans, tomatoes and cilantro in a white bowl

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe card. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    cowboy caviar bean dip in a white bowl

    Cowboy Caviar

    Cowboy Caviar is a colorful blend of fresh ingredients, beans, and mild spices with a touch of lime juice. Serve with your favorite chips for a fabulous, healthy appetizer.
    5 from 171 votes
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    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 182kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • Juice of ½ a lime
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 pound Roma tomatoes seeded and diced
    • 15 ounces 15 ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
    • 15 ounces 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
    • 11 ounces 11 ounce can super sweet corn, drained
    • 1 red onion diced
    • 1 cup red bell pepper diced
    • 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped
    • 1 tablespoon sugar optional (up to ¼ cup if preferred)

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, blend the olive oil, white wine vinegar, chili powder, cumin, lime juice and salt together.
    • Add the tomatoes, black-eyed peas, beans, corn, red onion, bell peppers and cilantro.
    • Cover and chill for at least 1 hour for flavors to blend.
    • Serve with your favorite chips, as a side dish or as a topping for fish or chicken
    • ENJOY!!

    Notes

    If possible, make it 3-4 hours before serving to let the flavors blend together even more.
    Substitute fresh corn off the cob, or frozen corn instead of the canned corn.
    Substitute green onions for red onion if you prefer.
    Use red wine vinegar or apple cidar vinegar is that’s what you have on hand.
    Add up to ¼ cup of sugar if you prefer a sweeter variety. I wouls start with one Tablespoon and test your preference.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 423mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 915IU | Vitamin C: 23.7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2.2mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected

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    Filed Under: Appetizers, Healthy Recipes, Popular Recipes, Recipes, Salads

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbie

      October 29, 2022 at 5:59 pm

      I saw where someone asked if this can be canned. I did not see an answer to that question. There are just two of us in the house, an it would be great to have it ready made on a shelf.

      Reply
      • Sherri

        October 30, 2022 at 8:40 am

        Because it contains corn and beans, it’s not safe to can in a water bath canner. I did read that it’s potentially possible with a pressure canner at least 60 minutes. But because it contains oil, I don’t think that is recommended either. I would ultimately choose not to…. to be safe. You can freeze it though in small portioned containers! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Rhonda

      September 03, 2022 at 8:54 am

      How many people would you say this recipe feeds, as a side dish with chips for a football party? I’m trying to decide if I need to double it. My mother in law used to make this and I didn’t get her recipe before she passed away.

      Reply
      • Sherri

        September 06, 2022 at 9:54 am

        It makes a large batch. I have it as 12 servings but it depends on how many scoops each person has which is harder to know. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Dudoanxsmb

      June 14, 2022 at 12:16 am

      Wow! It looks delicious and beautiful. Hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy it one day soon.
      Dự đoán XSMB

      Reply
    4. Julie H

      June 02, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      What size is each serving? Making for a graduation party and am trying to figure out how many batches to make.

      Reply
    5. G D Clark

      April 19, 2022 at 11:38 pm

      Can I had and water bath can this like I do my Cowboy Candy recipe for long term shelf storage???

      Reply
      • Sheena

        May 30, 2022 at 12:50 pm

        What are you asking, very hard to understand your question?

        Reply
        • Cam

          June 13, 2022 at 5:55 pm

          G D Clark is asking if he could “can” in hot water to preserve the food for a longer timeframe

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