Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar, is so much more than just another salsa recipe. Made with black-eyed peas, black beans, bell pepper, onion, tomato, and jalapeño, it’s one of the freshest, crunchiest, most satisfying dips you can bring to a gathering. Even better, it comes together in just 15 minutes! If you’re looking for delicious party dips or summer appetizers, you’ve just found a great one.

What does cowboy caviar taste like?

It’s a little like pico de gallo meets black bean salsa, with a tangy dressing and a little Tex-Mex flair. It’s full of creamy beans, crunchy vegetables, and fresh, bright flavor.

Is cowboy caviar a salad or dip?

Cowboy caviar is whatever you want to make it. Scoop it up with tortilla chips as a party dip, or spoon some on your picnic plate with barbecue and baked beans. No matter how you categorize it, it's darn delicious!

What else can you add to cowboy caviar?

Corn would be delicious in this recipe. Use a 15-ounce can of corn kernels, drained and rinsed, or 1½ cups frozen corn kernels, thawed. You could also add diced avocado, but wait to add it until just before serving so it remains fresh.

Can you make cowboy caviar with bottled Italian dressing?

Yes. This recipe calls for making a simple, homemade dressing, but bottled Italian dressing will work in a pinch. If you go that route, substitute about 1/3 cup of dressing in place of the olive oil, vinegar, and Worcestershire, and decrease the salt and pepper slightly.

How long does cowboy caviar last in the refrigerator?

Cowboy caviar can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It will keep for up to 4 days total, though the vegetables will start to lose some of their crunch over time. Pro tip: Add the cilantro just before serving to keep it bright and fresh.

How to Make Cowboy Caviar

INGREDIENTS

• Black-eyed peas: Black-eyed peas are what set this dip apart from other black bean salsas. Canned black-eyed peas keep things easy, but if you have some already cooked, you can use about 1½ cups.
• Black beans: Toss in a can of drained and rinsed black beans to make this dip extra hearty. Just like with the black-eyed peas, you can use 1½ cups of cooked black beans if you have them handy.
• Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes add a bright little pop that makes the whole dip taste fresh. Cherry tomatoes or any seeded chopped tomato also work well here.
• Peppers: Jalapeño gives the dip a little cowboy kick while a yellow bell pepper adds sweetness and crunch. You can use whatever color bell pepper you have on hand.
• Red onion: Red onion adds sharpness, crunch, and a little bite, which helps balance out the dip.
• Cilantro: Fresh is best here. Cilantro wakes everything up and makes the whole dish taste refreshing.
• Olive oil: Olive oil gives the dressing a little richness and helps all those flavors cling to the beans and veggies.
• Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar adds that tangy zip that makes cowboy caviar taste bright and punchy. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
• Worcestershire sauce: A splash of Worcestershire gives the dressing a little extra savory depth. You won’t really taste it on its own, but it helps round out all the other flavors.
• Seasonings: Seasoned salt, cumin, and pepper give this dip its savory backbone. The seasoned salt brings everything to life, the cumin adds a little warm, earthy flavor, and the black pepper gives it a gentle kick.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Start by chopping the tomato, jalapeño, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Try to keep them roughly the same size so you get a little bit of everything in each scoop. If you want less heat, go ahead and remove the jalapeño seeds and membrane before chopping.

Toss all the chopped veggies in a big bowl, along with the black-eyed peas, black beans, herbs, and seasonings.

Instead of mixing the dressing in a separate bowl, just pour the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce right into the bowl with the dip. It saves a step and cuts down on dishes later.

Give it a good toss. This dip can be served immediately, but it’s even better after it sits for a few hours so the flavors have a chance to meld. When you’re ready, grab some tortilla chips and dig in!

A full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.