Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe {Aka Texas Caviar} Gonna Want Seconds (2024)

Calling all cowpokes — my cowboy caviar recipe is a zesty tastebud fiesta! Vegetable sides and other side dishes wish they had the punch of cowboy caviar. From beans to corn to avocado, each bite are bean salad recipe homage! And the versatility? Off the charts.

This is delicious as a dip with chips, a side dish with your favorite protein, or put it with lettuce to cross into salad recipes territory.

You’ll recognize the similar flavor punch in my Hoppin John recipe, calico beans, and even southern-style green beans (bacon, anyone?).

Let’s make this!

What I Love About This Recipe

Once avocados are in season, I can’t get enough of them! Did I put them in everything — so the chance to have a delicious dip/main/salad topping/however-you-want-to-eat-it all in one easy-to-make dish?

Cowboy caviar is an avocado lover’s dream!

• Sweet, savory, zesty — flavors galore!
• Off the charts texture
• VERSATILE!
• Crowd-pleasing favorite

Cowboy Caviar Ingredients

• Red Wine Vinegar: This adds a fruity acidity that mixes fabulously with the acidity of the fresh lime juice.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Gives the perfect South-of-the-Border tangy acidity.
• Oil: I like a mild flavor of olive oil but any neutral-flavored oil will work.
• Salt + Pepper: Enhances the other flavors of this dip and is the perfect seasoning.
• Black beans: These creamy beans make up the bulk of this salad. I like them in this dip because they hold their shape well even with all the mixing and dipping.
• Corn: Be sure to rinse and drain the canned corn before using it in the recipe.
• Tomatoes: I like to use either Roma tomatoes or grape tomatoes in this recipe because both types have fewer seeds.
• Red Onions: These onions have a mild flavor even when used raw, as in this dip.
• Avocado:This adds a cool, creamy component to the dip that isn’t typically found in this type of recipe.

How To Make Cowboy Caviar Recipe

My recipe starts with a simple homemade vinaigrette.

As with most of my go-to spring/summer recipes, there’s no mayo in this dip, which makes it safe for transporting and a cool, light treat for a hot, sunny day!

1. In a large bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Add black beans, corn, tomato, red onion, and cilantro and mix to evenly combine. Gently fold in the avocado.

3. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour to allow flavors to combine. Serve.

Tips

There are some things to keep in mind when you mix your delicious ingredients together:

• Avocados: These yummy things are technically fruits! Does that make this a fruit salad? You be the judge! Full of good fats, avocados provide a richness of flavor and color and are surprisingly high in fiber.
• Fresh tomatoes: Fresh is best — especially in the summer when ripe tomatoes are bountiful! I love using standard vine tomatoes, but if you can find heirlooms, they bring a delicious sweet flavor. No matter what type of tomato you use, try to remove the seeds before adding so you don’t get an overly watery dip!
• Corn: is a must and can be added as fresh cooked or frozen, thawed, and drained. I often add Trader Joes Brand of “Roasted Corn.” I love the added smokiness the roasting adds to the overall flavor of the dish without me having to go to any extra effort!
• Beans, beans: There are so many beautiful shapes and colors of beans, and they’re all super good for you, so feel free to substitute and/or combine more than one bean in this cowboy caviar dip. Cannellini beans or small red kidney beans both work great!

Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead

• How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?Leftovers can be stored it for 4-5 days.
  • Treat this recipe like you would salsa — meaning, store it in the fridge when you can! If you have it out at room temp for a party, don’t let it sit in the heat too long.
• Can You Freeze This? I don’t like how the tomatoes, avocado and frankly, even the beans freeze. I only serve this fresh.
• Make-Ahead Tips If you want to make this ahead of time, mix everything except the tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. Then, just before serving, add those in, and you’ll have fresh caviar ready to go!
  • You’re made-ahead parts can store in the fridge for up to a few days as well.

Serving Recommendations

I usually make cowboy caviar as an appetizer with chips, but this Texas caviar also makes a great salad.

Add grilled chicken with my super popular chicken marinade, grilled cilantro lime chicken, or grilled flank steak to it, and it’s an easy and delicious supper! Or just plop a spoonful on a bed of romaine for a vegetarian dinner.

A few scoops also work great on top of roasted crock pot pork tenderloin or fish!

More Vegetable Salad And Side Recipes

• Broccoli Salad
• Carrot Salad
• Corn Cakes
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Three Bean Salad
• Zucchini Corn Fritters
• Creamy Cucumber Salad

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