Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Caviar)

Texas Caviar, also known as Cowboy Caviar, is an easy, light, and fresh dip that is perfect for parties, potlucks, and cookouts! 

We love a good dip recipe in our family. Because I’m always looking for something on the lighter side to pair with all the heavier foods at a tailgate or BBQ, Texas Caviar is the light and fresh dip that fits into any party scenario.

If you love dips too, be sure to try our Layered Hummus Dip and Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip recipes too! We also have fun dessert dips like Fruit Dip and Pumpkin Pie Dip that you can try too (so yummy!).

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Texas Caviar Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Recipe Variations and Substitutions
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Possible Dietary Restrictions?
• How to Serve Cowboy Caviar
• Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
• Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Caviar)

Why You’ll Love This Texas Caviar Recipe

Level of difficulty: Easy! The bulk of the work for this recipe is chopping the vegetables.

Flavor: This light and fresh dip is similar to a mild salsa (kind of like pico de gallo). 

Time: It will take you approximately fifteen minutes to make Texas Caviar. The time really depends on how proficient your knife skills are, as the bulk of the time required is to chop the vegetables.

Ingredients Needed

Dip Ingredients

• Canned Black Eyed Peas
• Canned Black Beans
• Canned Corn
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Red Bell Pepper
• Jalapeno Pepper
• Red Onion
• Cilantro
• Lime Zest
• Tortilla Chips (for serving)

Dressing Ingredients

• Olive Oil
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Lime Juice
• Granulated Sugar
• Oregano
• Garlic Salt
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Salt

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Beans: dried beans can also be used for this recipe instead of canned. If using, cook each bean variety separately as the cooking times may vary. You need to cook ½ to ¾ cup of dried beans for every 15-ounce can of beans that is being replaced.
• Corn: frozen corn or fresh corn on the cob (boiled or grilled) can also be used in this recipe.
• Peppers: you can also use orange, yellow, or green bell pepper instead of red bell pepper if desired.
• Tomatoes: you can also dice roma (or your favorite) larger tomatoes for this recipe. In a pinch, canned diced tomatoes can work too.
• Vinegar: if you do not have apple cider vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar instead.
• Onions: purple onions are the best for this recipe. However, you can replace the purple onion with a white onion, a yellow onion, or a small bunch of green onions.
• Dressing: a popular substitution for the homemade dressing outlined in this recipe is Italian dressing. If you’d prefer to use Italian dressing, do not make the vinaigrette as outlined in the recipe and use ½ cup of dressing and add more as needed.
• Avocado: some versions of cowboy caviar include avocado. If you’d like to add this to your recipe, start with one small avocado cut into small cubes. Stir in just before serving.
  • Note: avocados tend to darken over time, so the salad may not stay as well in the fridge. 

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Make the dressing: add the lime juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, granulated sugar, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt into a jar and shake to combine. Set aside.
2. Make the dip: place the black eyed peas, black beans, corn, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, jalapeno, red onion, lime zest, and cilantro into a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour the dressing over and stir to coat all ingredients.
3. Let the dip marinate for 30 minutes or up to 1 day prior to serving.
4. Serve and enjoy! Stir the dip prior to serving and then enjoy with tortilla chips.

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

Cowboy caviar is vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free as written! It can also easily be made vegan with a simple substitution.  

• Make this into a vegan dip recipe by replacing the granulated sugar with a natural sweetener like agave syrup.

How to Serve Cowboy Caviar

Texas caviar is great served as a dip, as a fun party appetizer, as a side dish, on salads, on tacos, on nachos, and on grilled meats! 

Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy

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