This cowboy caviar recipe is a delicious party dip! It's easy to make with black-eyed peas, fresh veggies and a zesty dressing. Great for making ahead!
This cowboy caviar recipe is a perfect make-ahead dip for potlucks and parties! Easy to mix up in minutes, it’s a delicious combination of black-eyed peas, black beans, and fresh veggies in a zesty vinaigrette. I especially love it in summer—scooped up with crisp tortilla chips, the tangy, juicy dip is so refreshing on a hot day.
What is cowboy caviar?
Cowboy caviar is a fresh black-eyed pea dip typically made with black beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Also called Texas caviar, it was developed by dietician Helen Corbitt in the 1940s, reflecting West African and Mexican influences.
I first tried cowboy caviar when I was growing up in the Midwest, where it’s a staple side dish and appetizer at summer potlucks and picnics. I’ve been testing and tweaking my own recipe over the years to hit just the right balance of juicy/crispy textures and zingy flavors. I’m so excited to share this updated version with you. I jazz it up with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and creamy avocado. Keep reading to learn how to make it!
Cowboy Caviar Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy cowboy caviar recipe:
- Black beans and black-eyed peas – They make up the base of this hearty dip.
- Corn – If fresh corn is in season, slice the kernels straight off the cob and add them raw! Otherwise, make this recipe with thawed frozen corn.
- Red onion – For sharp, savory depth of flavor.
- Red bell pepper – For color and crunch.
- Roma tomatoes – I love how their juicy texture contrasts with the crisp veggies and creamy beans.
- Jalapeño – For heat! If you’re sensitive to spice, remove the seeds and membranes before adding it to the salad, or feel free to skip it.
- Avocado – For creamy texture.
- Cilantro – For fresh flavor.
- A lime and red wine vinaigrette – It ties the dip together. The vinegar and lime juice make it nice and bright, while garlic, and cumin add complexity.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Cowboy Caviar
This cowboy caviar recipe couldn’t be simpler to make!
First, chop the fresh ingredients. Dice them into small pieces, close to the size of the beans, so that you can get a little of everything in each bite.
Combine the black-eyed peas, black beans, and vegetables in a large bowl.
Then, make the dressing. Pour the dressing over the beans and veggies and toss to combine.
At this point, I like to chill the dip for 1 hour to let the flavors develop. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time!
Just before serving, fold in the avocado. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with more cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Let it chill. This recipe tastes great right away, but it’s even better after an hour or two in the fridge. If you have time, chill the dip before serving to allow the flavors to marry.
- Give it a good stir before you eat. As the dip sits, the veggies release liquid, and the dressing sinks to the bottom of the bowl. For the best flavor, stir the dip right before serving so that the dressing coats the veggies and beans.
- There are more ways to serve it. I love this cowboy caviar as a simple dip, but it’s a great side salad for a summer bbq too. You could even serve it as a fresh salsa in tacos or over grilled tofu!
- Make it your own. This cowboy caviar recipe is fantastic as written, but there are all sorts of ways to change it up! Use Italian salad dressing instead of the red wine vinaigrette. Substitute pinto beans for the black beans or black-eyed peas. Or add a pinch of chili powder for smoky, savory flavor. Let me know what variations you try!
How to Store Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy caviar keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you’re making it ahead, wait to add the avocado until right before serving.
More Favorite Dip Recipes
If you love this cowboy caviar recipe, try one of these crowd-pleasing party dips next:
- 7 Layer Dip
- Best Guacamole
- Best Bean Dip
- Pico de Gallo
- Or any of these 35 Best Party Dip Recipes!
Cowboy Caviar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ cups cooked black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1½ cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced (about 1 heaping cup)
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, reserve some for garnish
- 2 large avocados, pitted and diced
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Juice of 1 lime, plus more wedges for serving
- 1¼ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, and most of the cilantro.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, salt, sugar, garlic, cumin, and several grinds of pepper. Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and stir to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop. Just before serving, fold in the avocado and season to taste. I like to add a few more squeezes of lime at this point. Garnish with the reserved cilantro and serve with tortilla chips.
A delicious summer recipe! It was fresh, colorful, and full of flavor. I loved how easy it was to make and I will definitely be making it again.
We loved this recipe! I made it for a church bbq potluck and paired the caviar with late July lime tortilla chips and it was perfection!!! I especially love that it is naturally gluten and dairy free! Thanks for the recipe, it will be made again!
I didn’t think I liked cowboy caviar until I made it for the June cooking club challenge. WOW! this recipe changed my opinion. So light, refreshing, and a perfect lunch on a hot summer day. I used rice vinegar instead of red wine & parsley instead of cilantro.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
My husband and his mom both raved about this dish. My MIL called it “fantastic” and my husband said “it’s a keeper!! I served on top of fresh red leaf lettuce and added avocado plus feta cheese on top. Definitely on our favorite summer dishes’ list.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Made this for a Knicks Game 5 party (and epic win) last night. I got so many compliments on it – made as recommended just added more garlic. Great and fresh recipe for summer! GO KNICKS!
I’m glad it was a hit!
Easy, fresh and delicious for summer!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Full of flavor, color, and nutrition! Made a salad with this, romaine lettuce, brown rice, and mashed avocado (instead of adding avocado at the end). Perfect weeknight dinner!
Excited to make this for the June Cooking Club!
Made this for a picnic/concert in a public park and it was so delicious. Everyone loved it. Our only issue was we needed more chips after sharing with everyone. My grocery store didn’t have canned black eyed peas so I made them from a dried bag and they were so easy.
The perfect addition to our burrito bowls!
Hi! Loved it, although I’m having to track calories at the moment and would love to know what you are counting as one serving. Thanks!
Very tasty, have made this 3 times now. Today added some thin cubed zucchini and diced carrots because we had several on hand. Good additions. Thank you for sharing.
I made this yesterday for a pool party and it was such a hit! Everyone absolutely loved it. I made it exactly as written.
Great salad! I don’t care for coriander so I added very little. I’ll definitely make this again.
This Cowboy Caviar was such a big hit with my family! We loved how fresh and flavorful it tasted, with the perfect combination of crisp vegetables and zesty dressing. It disappeared quickly at our table, and we’ll definitely be making it again.
Delicious and very fun for our Saturday dinner!! We made baked flour tortilla bowls and filled them with grated cheddar, brown rice, shredded lettuce, cowboy caviar and more shredded cheese. Loved! The dressing makes this dish sing. Thank you for this excellent recipe!