The BEST Cowboy Caviar Recipe
This 15-minute easy-to-make recipe is that it can be served as a salad, a side dish, a taco topping, or a dip for chips. Made with juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, crunchy bell peppers, hearty beans, and zesty lime dressing, it’s so good you may want to double the recipe!
Make Ahead Instructions:
This recipe actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a bit and the flavors have some time to mingle, so you can make it a day ahead. Only recommendation: add the avocados just prior to serving so they don’t turn brown!
Variations:
- Swap the bell pepper for poblanos or even some jalapenos for a spicy kick
- Add some sweetness in the form of diced mango or even pineapple
- Crave salty foods? Throw in crumbled Feta or Cotija cheese
- Use different types of beans and even chickpeas for extra protein and fiber
Store Cowboy Caviar
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The tomatoes may become a bit soft and the avocado a bit brown, though!
The acidity in the dressing will delay the browning process for a bit. Stir to coat all ingredients with the dressing when ready to enjoy again.
Freeze Cowboy Caviar
This recipe is best eaten fresh. Veggies tend to lose their crunchy, crisp texture when thawed!
The BEST Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- ⅓ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels, thawed and drained
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 15 oz
- 1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained 15 oz
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- Tortilla chips for serving
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Place all veggies in a large salad bowl.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together until well combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the veggies and toss to coat.
- Refrigerate for 30 mins, toss again, and serve!
Nutrition
FAQ About How to Make the Best Cowboy Caviar
- 1. Can I Customize it? Absolutely! You can add your favorite salad veggies to this dip. Also, you can use poblanos instead of bell peppers, add diced mango or pineapple for some sweetness, or throw in crumbled Feta for a salty touch.
- 2. What Should I Serve it With? Tortilla chips are the vessel of choice, but you can serve it spooned over grilled chicken, as a taco filling, as a side salad, or straight from the bowl!
- 3. How Can I Make it Spicier/Milder? If you like it spicy, add more jalapenos or some serrano peppers. You can also add a dash of hot sauce to the dressing. If you like it less spicy, omit the jalapenos!
- 4. Can I Make the Dressing Healthier? Yes, you can omit the honey to cut down the sugar and use Greek yogurt instead of oil for less calories and a creamy twist!
TIPS for the Ultimate Dip!
- Chop it Small and Even: remember this recipe has to go on a chip, so chop your veggies small this way they won’t fall off and you get a little of everything in every scoop!
- Use Fresh Corn if You Can: canned or frozen corn is ok, but nothing beats fresh-off-the-cob, grilled, or roasted corn for a subtle smoky sweetness!
- Go Bold with Extras: – Add diced mango or pineapple for a sweet and tropical twist – Thow in Feta or Cotija cheese for a creamy twist – Spice it up with a sprinkle of chipotle powder in the dressing – Add diced cucumber for crunch!
- Keep Avocado Fresh: avocado can turn brown really quickly, so add it just prior to serving it and toss it in some lemon juice first if you can.
- Don’t Skimp on the Dressing: make sure the dip has enough dressing to coat all the ingredients and toss it again prior to serving!
- Turn it Into a Meal: spoon it over grilled chicken, mix it with quinoa, or stuff it into tacos for flavor-packed meals!
