Cowboy Caviar

This cowboy caviar is a colorful and hearty dip that’s loaded with beans, avocado and veggies, all tossed in a zesty homemade sauce. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for a potluck!

Cowboy caviar is a fresh and flavorful dip that is great with tortilla chips. If you have a big crowd to feed, other appetizers that you can serve are garlic knots or beer brat bites.

I love a hearty dip, and this colorful cowboy caviar never disappoints. It’s loaded with different types of beans and veggies in the most delicious dressing. I make this cowboy caviar as an appetizer, side dish, and it’s perfect to bring to a potluck or picnic.

How Do You Make Cowboy Caviar?

This recipe is as simple as tossing together corn, beans, black eyed peas, tomatoes, peppers, onion and avocado in a simple dressing. For convenience sake, I use canned black beans and black eyed peas, but you can also use frozen black eyed peas if needed.

Tips for cowboy caviar

• Cowboy caviar can be made up to 2 days before you plan to serve it. If you’re making this dish in advance, omit the avocado, and stir it in right before serving.
• You can substitute other types of beans instead of black beans, I’ve used pinto beans before and it’s delicious.
• Not a fan of cilantro? Use sliced green onions instead.
• I typically use frozen thawed corn kernels, but you could use canned corn or even fresh corn off the cob.
• Serve your cowboy caviar either as a dip with tortilla chips, or as a salad over lettuce leaves.

Cowboy Caviar Variations

While I typically serve my cowboy caviar as a dip, sometimes I like to add more ingredients to turn it into more of a meal. There are so many different ways to customize cowboy caviar!

• Protein: Stir in 1 1/2 cups of diced cooked chicken or small shrimp, then serve as salad.
• Bacon: Stir in 1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon right before serving.
• Spicy: Leave some of the seeds and ribs in the jalapeno, and add a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
• Cheese: Add 1/3 cup of crumbled feta or cotija cheese.

Can I freeze cowboy caviar?

I wouldn’t recommend freezing this dip. While the beans will hold up just fine in the freezer, the tomatoes and avocado will not fare as well. I’d recommend simply making your dip 1-2 days before your event to save on some prep time, then store it tightly covered in the refrigerator.

Once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis. It’s great for entertaining, but also perfect for a lighter lunch option.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Pineapple Salsa
• Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
• BLT Dip
• Pizza Dip with Pepperoni
• Dill Pickle Dip

Cowboy Caviar Video

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5 from 5 votes

Cowboy Caviar

This cowboy caviar is a colorful and hearty dip that's loaded with beans, avocado and veggies, all tossed in a zesty homemade sauce. It's the perfect make-ahead dish for a potluck!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword cowboy caviar

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 minute

Total Time 21 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 195kcal

Author Dinner at the Zoo

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
• 1 can black eyed peas rinsed and drained
• 1 cup tomatoes seeded and finely diced
• 1 jalapeno seeded and finely diced
• 1 cup corn can be fresh, canned or thawed from frozen
• 1 avocado chopped
• 3/4 cup red and/or orange bell pepper seeded and finely diced
• 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
• 1/3 cup cilantro leaves chopped
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Place the beans, black eyed peas, tomatoes, jalapeno, corn, avocado, bell pepper, onion and cilantro in a large bowl. 
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper.
• Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve as a salad or with chips.

Notes

Make ahead instructions: Assemble according to instructions, except omit the avocado. Refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Add the avocado right before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7.6% | Vitamin C: 12.9% | Calcium: 1.6% | Iron: 6.6%

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