Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar, or Texas Caviar, is a healthy, flavorful, and easy dip recipe. Full of diced veggies and a healthy serving of beans, its a can’t go wrong appetizer or side dish perfect for party crowds, big football games, or as a movie snack.

Do not forget to try these other amazing and delicious dip recipes, perfect for appetizers, like my melty hot caprese dip, not to spicy enchilada dip, super fun funfetti dip, cheesy homemade queso or traditional taco dip!

Cowboy Caviar

I know this is a dip, but dang it all if I couldn’t eat this Mexican appetizer for a straight up MEAL.

Sure, you can load Cowboy Caviar on chips all day long (topped w/ sour cream of course) but once it’s made, try throwing it on a taco or burrito.

Seriously it’s THE best way to flavor UP your meals.

We call it a side dish or an appetizer, but its also a main meal if you let it!

Ingredients

This is what I put in my Cowboy Caviar. Everyone loved it! 

• 1 can, 15 oz, black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can, 15 oz, pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn (frozen or canned is fine)
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/3 cup diced orange peppers
• 1/3 cup diced red peppers
• 1/3 cup diced yellow pepper
• 1/3 cup diced red onions
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 1 lime
• tortilla chips for serving

This recipe makes 6 cups of dip, so you can do the math on how much you need.

Texas Caviar Tips:

• Texas caviar is a hearty dip is easy to make and with lots of good flavors as well. Full of veggies, I also think it’s pretty healthy dip considering!
• I’d recommend refrigerating your dip first for spicy flavors to mingle.

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

The complete recipe is further below in the printable recipe card. Here’s a quick overview of how I made my dip. 

• Add the first 10 ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and mix them together.
• Add the seasoning (chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper) and mix well.

• Drizzle some olive oil and squeeze lime juice onto mixture (making a light tangy vinaigrette) and mix well to evenly coat.
• Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight to let flavors mingle and marinate for the boldest flavors.
• Stir well before serving, adding an additional tablespoon of oil if necessary.

This dip makes about 6 cups. 

What to Serve with Cowboy Caviar

Serve it with tortilla chips, veggies, or crunchy crostini’s.

Add Avocado For Even More Flavor

While this cowboy caviar recipe above has no avocado, you can easily add chunks of it right before serving.

Because avocado can get brown and freak everyone out, its best left to the side till right before you put it out.

You can also serve this caviar dip right in a 7 layer salad and it pairs well with pico and queso for a full Mexican Side Dish spread.

Where did Cowboy Caviar come from?

This is another famous recipe that Helen Corbitt created in the 1940s. She is the same one that made my favorite dip in the world “Neiman Marcus Dip.” 

Is this a vegan recipe? 

Yes, this recipe is completely vegan. It is full of whole foods like beans and fresh herbs. 

What types of beans can you use? 

My recipe uses black and pinto beans. But if you want, you can use any type of beans that you want. Try any of these too:

• Kidney
• Black-eyed peas
• Navy beans

What is a substitute for cilantro?

Cilantro either tastes super fresh and almost sweet or it tastes like soap. If you are one of those people that hates cilantro, then you can leave it out. 

A really great substitute for cilantro is green onions. 

Print Pin

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar, or Texas Caviar, is a healthy, flavorful, and easy dip recipe. Full of diced veggies and a healthy serving of beans, its a can't go wrong appetizer or side dish perfect for party crowds, big football games, or as a movie snack.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword appetizer, cowboy caviar, dip, party

Prep Time 10 minutes

Chill for 4 hours

Total Time 10 minutes

Author Salty Side Dish

Ingredients

• 1 can 15 oz, black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 15 oz, pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn frozen or canned is fine
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/3 cup diced orange peppers
• 1/3 cup diced red peppers
• 1/3 cup diced yellow pepper
• 1/3 cup diced red onions
• 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 1 lime
• tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

• Add first 10 ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Add seasoning (chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper) and mix well. Drizzle olive oil and squeeze lime juice onto mixture and mix well to evenly coat.
• Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight to let flavors mingle. Stir well before serving, adding an additional tablespoon of oil if necessary.
• Makes 6 cups
• Serve with tortilla chips.

More Mexican? Yes Please.

Mexican Street Corn