This Cowboy Caviar recipe is a fresh homemade salsa that’s quick and easy to make. It’s packed with black bean, corn and avocado and it’s a delicious addition to your favourite Mexican meals, served as a dip with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled meats, fish or salads.
The best way to eat homemade Mexican food is topped with this fresh and healthy Cowboy Caviar recipe! This easy homemade salsa recipe is great as an appetizer, snack or even as a side dish!
It’s delicious served with some homemade guacamole and corn tortilla chips, but it’s also the perfect condiment to any Mexican main dish, especially my vegetarian tacos, salsa chicken with rice, grilled chicken or even grilled salmon. It’s made with fresh tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro, along with black-eyed peas and black beans. Trust us – you’re going to LOVE this one!
Cowboy Caviar is a dish that originated in the heart of Texas and has become very popular through the American Southwest and beyond. This dip is as flavourful as it is colourful, and it’s quintessentially Tex-Mex – it’s a staple at potlucks, parties, and backyard barbecues!
The name “Cowboy Caviar” is perfect for this dish – It’s a playful twist on what would usually be a dish found in an upscale restaurant made simple and humble with basic Tex-Mex ingredients. It’s so delicious, we just can’t get enough of it!
And maybe one of the best things about this recipe is that it’s such a healthy alternative to many traditional Tex-Mex dips. Packed with a colourful medley of nutrient-rich veggies and beans, it makes a deliciously satisfying and guilt-free snack choice.
Here’s what you’ll need in your kitchen to make this dip recipe (affiliate links):
You’ll need these ingredients for making this homemade dip recipe:
- canned black eyed peas
- canned black beans
- canned sweet corn
- Roma tomatoes
- red onion
- red pepper
- jalapeño pepper
- avocados
- fresh cilantro
- olive oil
- fresh limes
- honey (optional)
- salt
- pepper
Time needed: 15 minutes
Follow these steps for the perfect fresh salsa dip every time!
- Drain and rinse the beans.
Rinse them well under cool water and dry them with paper towels. Drain the corn.
- Dice the veggies.
Dice the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper and avocado, making sure the pieces are the same size as the beans,
- Wear gloves while working with the jalapeño.
Seed the jalapeño and chop it very finely, but wear gloves to protect your hands.
- Add the lime zest.
Lime zest adds so much flavour so don’t only add the juice!
- Serve!
Serve immediately with tortilla chips, or store in the fridge until ready to serve
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What is Cowboy Caviar made of?
Cowboy Caviar dip is made of canned beans, chopped veggies, and fresh herbs.
What is the actual name for Cowboy Caviar?
Cowboy Caviar is also called Texas Caviar because it likely originated in Texas.
How long does Cowboy Caviar last?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it can last for up to 3-4 days. However, it’s best enjoyed within the day or two when it’s fresh.
Can I substitute any of the ingredients in Cowboy Caviar?
Yes, this Cowboy Caviar dip recipe allows for ingredient substitutions and variations. You can customize it by adding or substituting different beans, vegetables, herbs, or spices based on your taste preferences.
Is Cowboy Caviar vegan?
Yes, it’s is vegan!
Can I freeze Cowboy Caviar?
While it’s technically possible to freeze Cowboy Caviar, we don’t recommend it. The texture and freshness of the vegetables may be compromised upon thawing, resulting in a less desirable experience. It’s best to enjoy Cowboy Caviar when it’s fresh or store it in the refrigerator for a few days.
What can I serve with Cowboy Caviar?
Cowboy Caviar is best served as a dip with tortilla chips. You can also serve it as a side dish alongside grilled meats or as a topping for tacos, burritos, or salads. It’s a versatile condiment that adds a burst of flavour to any dish.
Can I make Cowboy Caviar in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, Cowboy Caviar often benefits from some resting time in the refrigerator to allow the flavours to blend together. Making it in advance also saves time when preparing for an event. Just remember to give it a good stir before serving to distribute the flavours evenly.
Is Cowboy Caviar gluten-free?
Yes, Cowboy Caviar is gluten-free. The dish primarily consists of beans, vegetables, herbs, and spices, which are naturally gluten-free. However, it’s essential to check the specific brands of canned beans or additional ingredients for any potential gluten-containing additives.
We hope you love this dip recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite Mexican-style dish? We’d love to know!
Looking for more delicious recipes like this one? You’ll LOVE these:
Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!
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Cowboy Caviar
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 8 ounces canned black eyed peas
- 8 ounces canned black beans
- 1 cup canned sweet corn
- 2 roma tomatoes (1 cup chopped)
- 1 medium red onion
- 1 red pepper
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 1 firm avocados
- 1/2 cup cilantro finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2-3 limes about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of juice and zest
- 2 teaspoons honey optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Recipe: Instructions
- Drain and rinse the beans and pat them dry with paper towels. Drain the corn.
- Wash and dice the tomatoes (if your tomatoes are extra juicy add the salt to them and let them sit while you finish chopping the rest of the ingredients, then drain the liquid). Finely dice the red onion, the bell pepper and avocado. Chop the cilantro.
- Wearing gloves, remove the seeds from the jalapeño pepper and finely chop it. Wash your chopping board and knife well.
- In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together – zesting and juicing the limes and seasoning with the salt and pepper and honey for sweetness (adjust salt to your preference).
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Recipe: Notes
Make Ahead Instructions
To make this recipe ahead, simply make as directed and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving.Storage Instructions
Store this in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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Forget this as a condiment, I think I'd eat this as a main salad. Love the colours and the flavours of the fresh vegetables. 🙂
So glad you enjoy it!!
so fresh, I love this kind of thing! as a dip, burrito filling, or yes – as Janet says – a salad, ha!
Glad you like the recipe! 🙂
Dear Chrissie, what a delicious and versatile salsa! I could eat this for lunch for a week and still be happy.
Thanks! So glad you enjoy it!!
This salsa is one of those things I look forward to having every summer. It's fresh and goes well with so many dishes.
We love it too! 😊
Mexican food is my favorite and this looks so delicious!!! YUM!
Thanks!
I'm planning on making this recipe on the weekend for my sister's birthday barbecue to pair with burgers. I think I'll serve it as a salad/side though so that we have lots of variety to our spread. Thanks for the idea!
you’re welcome!Hope you enjoyed it!! 🙂