Cowboy Caviar: How To Easily Make A Recipe For The Best

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Cowboy caviar is a great summer dip that is perfect for BBQ and potluck. Served with tortilla chips this recipe is light and refreshing.

Cowboy caviar or Texas caviar has taken over the internet with popularity from the original maker Helen Corbitt*. There have been many variations but I like to keep things as true as possible. This is definitely a Tex-Mex kinda recipe.

Originally, the recipe is all black eyed peas. However, for additional fiber I added black beans into the mix. But, you could always keep all black eyed peas.

Let’s dive into the recipe and I will show you how the cowboy caviar is made, keep reading.

How To Make Cowboy Caviar

You’ll need these ingredients

• Black eyed peas
• Black beans
• Red onion
• Garlic
• Corn on the cob
• Roma tomato
• Cilantro
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Salt & black pepper

Quick tip before starting the recipe

Corn isn’t always in season but fresh corn from the cob is always best. Yet, you can sub for frozen or canned corn when you can’t find fresh

Also, eating raw corn is fine. But, for the best flavor I suggest roasting the corn for about 5 minutes in a dry pan on medium heat before serving. You can also fire up the grill and roast the corn before removing the kernels from the cob.

Making the cowboy caviar recipe super easily

1. This recipe is super easy. The main thing to do is prep the ingredients but let’s start with the dressing. To start, get your favorite olive oil. The higher quality olive oil the better. Blend the red wine vinegar, olive oil and garlic clove to make a quick vinaigrette.
2. Set to the side while you prep the ingredients.
3. Remove the kernels of corn from the cob. Above I suggested you roast the corn a little or even toss the cobs over a grill fire, now is the time to do that.
4. Then, drain and rinse the both beans. Chop the cilantro, red onion and tomato.
5. Now, inside a salad bowl or a large bowl add all the ingredients including the vinaigrette you made earlier. Give everything a good mix, then add salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Serve with tortilla chips as a dip.

Storing the recipe

This is not a recipe to be frozen. In a sealed container or simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, this recipe should keep for about 4-5 days. Depending on how fresh the ingredients were to start.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is it called cowboy caviar?

The original name is actually Texas caviar and it’s creator Helen Corbitt made it famous. If you look at recipes you’ll notice we tend to call anything “cowboy” when there are a ton of ingredients mixed with it.

What is cowboy caviar made of?

Traditionally, this recipe was made will all black eyed peas. There were no bell peppers but some popular recipes include them. There was only the vinaigrette dressing, black eyed peas, onion, garlic and tomato with cilantro as the herb.

Is this a side dish or appetizer?

Cowboy caviar is a dip that can be an appetizer or side dish. Other great side dishes to serve with it could be:

• Pico de gallo
• Queso fundido
• Carne Asada