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Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Snacks & Apps

Published: May 17, 2022 · Modified: Oct 18, 2022 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

Texas Cowboy Caviar

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

bowl of texas caviar on a board surrounded by tortilla chips. There is a chip full of dip and a white linen as well.

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.

While Cowboy Caviar (aka Texas Caviar) originates from Texas, this dip is a summertime party staple here in the Midwest too! We love making this for picnics, potlucks, and anytime we’re going to be snacking outside.

If you love dips too, be sure to try our Peach Salsa, 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
  • Texas Caviar Ingredients
  • How to Make This Recipe For Cowboy Caviar
  • Cowboy Caviar Dip Variations and Substitutions
  • Ways To Serve Texas Caviar
  • How to Store Texas Cowboy Caviar
  • Recipe For Cowboy Caviar FAQs
  • Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
  • Recipe For 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.

Texas Caviar Ingredients

ingredients needed to make cowbow caviar

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.

How to Make This Recipe For Cowboy Caviar

  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.
bowl of texas caviar on a board surrounded by tortilla chips. In the background, there are packages of ingredients.

Cowboy Caviar Dip 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. 

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.

Ways To Serve Texas 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! 

How to Store Texas Cowboy Caviar

Store cowboy caviar in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to enjoy, give it a good stir to redistribute the dressing that may have settled to the bottom.

Can You Freeze Cowboy Caviar?

While you could technically freeze it, we do not recommend doing so. The vibrant flavor fades and some of the ingredients do not hold up to freezing very well, affecting the taste and texture.

top down view of a bowl of cowboy caviar on a board surrounded by tortilla chips. There is a chip full of dip and a white linen as well.

Recipe For Cowboy Caviar FAQs

Where did Texas Caviar originate from?

Texas caviar’s creation is given to Helen Corbitt, a native New Yorker who later became director of food service for the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas. She created this dish while in Texas (in the 1940s or 1950s) for a New Year’s Eve party at the Houston Country Club. When she later served it at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, it was given its name, “Texas caviar,” as a humorous comparison to true caviar, an expensive hors d’oeuvre of salt-cured fish roe. Soon enough, Texas chefs and home cooks began to riff on the concept, leading to the Tex-Mex version we have today.

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Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & comment below! You can also tag @ourlovelanguageisfood on Instagram & Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get free recipes sent directly to your inbox!

bowl of texas caviar on a board surrounded by tortilla chips. There is a chip full of dip and a white linen as well.

Recipe For Cowboy Caviar

Meredith
Texas Caviar, also known as Cowboy Caviar, is an easy, light, and fresh dip that is perfect for parties, potlucks, and cookouts!
4.77 from 17 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Inactive Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 176 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dressing Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon lime juice (approximately the juice of 1 medium lime)
  • ¼ C apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ C olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoon salt

Dip Ingredients

  • 1, 15 oz can of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1, 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1, 15 oz can of corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced
  • ½ pint cherry tomatoes
  • ½ medium jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, minced
  • ½ small red onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest (approximately the zest of 1 medium lime)
  • ½ C chopped cilantro
  • tortilla chips for serving

Instructions
 

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Let the dip marinate for 30 minutes or up to 1 day prior to serving.
  • Serve and enjoy! Stir the dip prior to serving and then enjoy with tortilla chips.

Notes

*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!
*The nutrition facts were calculated without the tortilla chips

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 7gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 393mgPotassium: 361mgFiber: 7gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 257IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.77 from 17 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. Beth Wilkinson Warrum says

    May 05, 2024 at 10:05 pm

    5 stars
    The very best version of this recipe…..

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      May 05, 2024 at 10:42 pm

      I am so, so happy to hear you enjoyed this version so much Beth! Thanks for giving the recipe a try 🙂

      Reply
  2. BB says

    March 08, 2024 at 7:51 pm

    Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Caviar)
    Why is it called ” caviar”- when it’s beans, corn .jalepeno. and peas?
    Makes no sense? No caviar in it, no pun to the name whatsoever
    Just a Mexican bean dip?

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      March 09, 2024 at 11:06 pm

      Hi BB – this is an old school recipe that was born in the 1950s that’s a picnic staple. If you google it, you’ll learn that “According to legend, cowboy caviar first emerged during a New Year’s Eve party at a Houston country club in the 1950s. Neiman Marcus food director Helen Corbitt introduced this dish at the party… it was such a hit that guests dubbed it “cowboy caviar” (because of its “humble” ingredients and luxe flavor dynamics) and started spreading the word all over the Lone Star State. Soon enough, Texas chefs and home cooks began to riff on the concept, leading to the Tex-Mex version we have today.”

      Reply
      • Hippie Mamma says

        March 10, 2024 at 1:43 pm

        I’ve been to many parties HERE IN TEXAS, where TRUE Texas caviar was served. NO cilantro was in it. Everyone there understood that the word “caviar” meant “an appearance of caviar” (fish eggs) and here in Texas, no one wants caviar, but we’d like something made with beans. (Well, the others would).

        Reply
        • Meredith says

          March 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm

          Hi, I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like this version of the recipe (although it doesn’t appear that you actually made it to try it). This vintage 1950s recipe has a wide range of ways to make this. If you don’t like this version, please move on to one you do enjoy, thanks!

          Reply
  3. Susan says

    July 14, 2022 at 6:35 pm

    5 stars
    This is the recipe I have been looking for! Delishish.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      July 15, 2022 at 1:55 pm

      I’m so glad I could help! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lori D says

    July 09, 2022 at 2:58 am

    5 stars
    Simple to make and tastes amazing. Took it to a potluck at work, everyone absolutely loved it. The longer it chilled and the more it marinated, the better it got. Although it’s still delicious after a hour chilled.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      July 11, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that you and your co-workers loved this Lori! Thank you so much for making my recipe.

      Reply
  5. Deidra says

    June 20, 2022 at 4:36 am

    5 stars
    I made this several times last year and today I made it again for the first time this summer. I love it! 😋😋💖💖 I made a few changes but it is still delicious! I love it on tacos and as a dip for tortilla chips. 😋😋😋😋

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      June 20, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      I’m so glad to hear that you enjoy Texas Caviar too Deidra. Great idea to put it on tacos, delicious!

      Reply
  6. Terry says

    June 13, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe and it is s easy to make.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      June 13, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      So glad you hear you love it too! Thanks for making my recipe.

      Reply
  7. Lynn says

    June 13, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    5 stars
    DELICIOUS!!!!!

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      June 13, 2022 at 3:48 pm

      I’m so glad to hear you loved it – hooray!

      Reply
  8. David says

    June 10, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    Love this stuff! Being from the upper midwest, I hadn’t ever heard of Cowboy Caviar until I saw it carried at Costco. SO GOOD. I love this version: a little sweet, a little heat, a little tart (from the lime). I could eat this every day.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      June 10, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it – I could eat this every day too 😂

      Reply
  9. M. says

    May 18, 2022 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    I loooooooove Texas Caviar, and this recipe was great!

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      May 19, 2022 at 11:18 pm

      so glad you enjoyed it!! thanks for making my recipe.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Meredith!

I am a Midwest-based foodie and mom working full time by day and sharing my passion for all things food by night. Follow along for great recipes to share with your family and friends. I've got you covered for breakfast, dinner, snack-time, parties, desserts, drinks, and more!

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