Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe (Fresh, Colorful & Crowd-Pleasing)

Inside: Make this easy cowboy caviar in minutes using canned beans, fresh vegetables, and bottled Italian dressing. It’s the perfect no-cook dip or side dish for summer BBQs, potlucks, game day, or meal prep—and always gets devoured.

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If there was ever an appetizer that screams “summer potluck MVP,” cowboy caviar might just be it. It’s fresh, colorful, crunchy, and full of good-for-you ingredients—but also simple enough to throw together in minutes with a few things from your pantry and a quick chop of veggies.

This fresh bean salad (also called Texas caviar) was created in the 1940s by Helen Corbitt at Dallas-based Neiman Marcus as a tongue-in-cheek, budget-friendly alternative to real caviar.

Most recipes call for a homemade vinaigrette, but I love a good shortcut recipe—and this one is super tasty simply using a good bottled Italian dressing. You still get all the tangy, herby flavor, just faster.

Whether you serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, a side salad, or even spooned over grilled chicken or tacos, this easy cowboy caviar is always a crowd favorite!

Cowboy Caviar Ingredients List.

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this colorful and zesty dish:

• 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can corn, drained (or 10 oz frozen, thawed)
• 4-5 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped (or yellow onion or green onion)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic (or 1 clove minced)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup bottled Italian dressing
• 4 tbsp lime juice (or the juice of 1 lime)

SH&H Tip: Seed your tomatoes to cut down on liquids to prevent the cowboy caviar from getting watery. Remove the seeds and the gelatinous “goo” when you cut into the tomatoes with the tip of your knife or a spoon.

How to Make Cowboy Caviar.

1. Combine all of the ingredients (except the salad dressing and lime juice) in a large mixing bowl.

2. Pour the Italian dressing over the top and add the lime juice. Gently toss until everything is well coated.

Taste test and season more if needed.

3. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld (longer is even better).

4. Serve with tortilla chips, as a side salad, or as a topping over grilled meat, tacos, or baked potatoes.

Optional Homemade Dressing for Cowboy Caviar.

If you’d rather make your own dressing, here’s a quick and easy version:

Simple Homemade Vinaigrette:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbs lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• A pinch of black pepper

Whisk all together and use in place of the bottled Italian dressing.

Make Ahead Tips and How to Store Cowboy Caviar.

Cowboy caviar gets even better as it sits! You can make it a day ahead, and leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Just give it a quick stir before serving—some of the dressing may settle at the bottom.

What to Do with Leftover Cowboy Caviar.

If you find yourself with extra cowboy caviar, here are a few tasty ways to use it up:

• Mix with quinoa or rice for a hearty grain bowl. Just add a protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for an easy lunch or dinner.

• Spoon it over a green salad for an instant Tex-Mex twist. Add crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
• Fold it into scrambled eggs or an omelet for a colorful breakfast.
• Top a baked sweet potato or russet potato with cowboy caviar and a drizzle of chipotle mayo or sour cream.
• Serve it taco-style with leftover meat and a warm tortilla.

Cowboy Caviar FAQs, Substitutions, and Variations.

Can I add avocado?
Yes! Diced avocado is a delicious and healthy addition and is included in many recipes. Just stir it in right before serving so it doesn’t brown or get mushy.

What if I don’t like cilantro?
You can leave it out or swap in flat-leaf parsley for a milder, fresh flavor.

Is cowboy caviar spicy?
Not in my opinion, but add a dash of hot sauce if you like a little more kick.

What can I serve cowboy caviar with besides chips?
Try spooning it over grilled chicken, fish, tacos, baked potatoes, nachos, or even scrambled eggs. It also makes a great topping for a grain bowl or taco salad.

Can I use different beans?
Absolutely. Pinto beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas work well here too.

Cowboy Caviar Printable Recipe:

Cowboy Caviar (aka Texas Caviar)

This easy cowboy caviar (also known as Texas caviar) is a colorful, zesty mix of beans, corn, and fresh veggies tossed in bottled Italian dressing. It's the perfect make-ahead dip or side dish for potlucks, cookouts, or game day—and comes together in just 15 minutes

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American, Southern, Tex-Mex

Servings 10

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can black-eyed peas drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can corn drained (or 10 oz frozen, thawed)
• 4-5 roma tomatoes chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion chopped (or yellow onion or green onion)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic or 1 clove minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup bottled Italian dressing
• 4 tbsp lime juice or the juice of 1 lime

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Instructions

 

• Combine all the ingredients except for the salad dressing and lime juice in a large mixing bowl.
• Pour the Italian dressing over the top and add the lime juice. Gently toss until everything is well coated.
• Taste and season more if needed.
• Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld (longer is even better).

Notes

Add avocado: Stir in diced avocado just before serving.

Spice it up: Add a dash of hot sauce.

Leftover ideas: Mix with quinoa or rice for a grain bowl, spoon over salad greens or baked potatoes, fold into an omelet, or top tacos and grilled meats.

Make ahead: Best after chilling at least 1 hour. Stays fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Optional Homemade Dressing for Cowboy Caviar

If you’d rather make your own dressing, here’s a quick and easy version for a simple homemade vinaigrette:

Whisk together and use in place of bottled dressing: 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbs lime juice, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper.

Keyword bean salad, black bean salad, cowboy caviar, easy side dish, make ahead salad, no cook, party appetizer, potluck recipe, summer dip, texas caviar

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

However you serve it—scooped with chips, tossed into a salad, or piled onto your plate—this easy cowboy caviar is one of those recipes that never sticks around for long. Hope it becomes one of your potluck go-tos too!

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