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Homemade Texas Cowboy Caviar served in a white bowl on a white table, accompanied by a blue towel, and a golden fork nearby.

Texas Cowboy Caviar

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Enjoy the healthy and vibrant Cowboy Caviar with this simple recipe. Packed with fresh produce, beans, herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette, it’s ideal for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or any special occasion.
Course Salads
Cuisine Mexican, Tex-Mex
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Calories 430
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Dressing

  • ¼ cup Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
  • 2 cloves Garlic grated
  • Salt to taste

For Salad

  • 3 Roma Tomatoes diced
  • ½ medium Red Onion diced
  • 1 Avocado sliced
  • 15 oz Black Beans rinsed and drained
  • 15 oz White Beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Frozen Corn thawed
  • ½ medium Bell Pepper any color, diced
  • 1 Jalapeño Pepper diced, seeds removed
  • 1 small bunch Cilantro Leaves chopped
  • Tortilla Chips for serving
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Making Salad Dressing

  • Begin by gathering all the ingredients listed under "dressing" into a bowl. Whisk them together until everything is thoroughly combined. Set this simple vinaigrette dressing aside for later use.
    A close-up of a bowl filled with olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and spices, ready to be whisked into a vinaigrette dressing.

Preparing Veggies

  • Start by thoroughly washing all the veggies—like tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, and herbs. Pat them dry. Then, chop your Roma tomatoes into small, bite-sized pieces, removing any hard core parts. Transfer the chopped tomatoes into a bowl.
    Freshly chopped Roma tomatoes arranged on a wooden cutting board.
  • Next, peel the outer papery layer of your red onions and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Add the onions to the bowl.
    Finely chopped red onions spread out on a wooden cutting board.
  • Now, halve your bell peppers, remove the hard core and seeds, and chop them into small, uniform pieces.
    Chopped bell peppers on a wooden board.
  • Slice your jalapeño peppers in half, discard the veins and seeds to reduce the heat, and chop them into small pieces. If you're sensitive to the heat, consider wearing gloves while handling them, or wash your hands thoroughly afterward to avoid any irritation.
    Sliced and chopped jalapeño peppers on a wooden cutting board, with seeds and veins removed.
  • Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit, and slice the flesh inside. Scoop it out and add it to the bowl. Chop your cilantro and include it as well.
    A halved avocado with the creamy flesh sliced into neat lines on a wooden cutting board.

Assembling Salad

  • Add the drained and rinsed black beans, white kidney beans, and corn to the bowl. Then, pour the prepared dressing over everything.
    A mixing bowl filled with Cowboy Caviar ingredients, all coated in a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
  • Gently mix all ingredients using a spatula or spoon, making sure the dressing evenly coats all the veggies and beans. This helps blend the flavors together. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and enhance the salad's taste and texture. Your Cowboy Caviar is now ready to be served and enjoyed.
    A colorful bowl of Cowboy Caviar salad, ready to be served.

Serving

  • Serve your Cowboy Caviar on its own or alongside tortilla chips for added crunch. For more pairing ideas, be sure to check out our Serving Suggestions section below.
    A white bowl filled with vibrant Cowboy Caviar salad, garnished and ready to enjoy.

Notes

Below are my essential tips to make perfect Cowboy Caviar every time:
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your salad heavily relies on the freshness of the veggies and herbs. Always opt for vibrant, fresh ingredients to achieve a perfectly balanced salad in both flavor and texture.
  • Uniform Size: Chop the veggies into uniform pieces to help them distribute evenly and provide a consistent texture throughout the salad.
  • Mix Gently: When combining all the ingredients, use a spatula or spoon to mix gently. This prevents the beans and avocado from breaking apart, maintaining a well-mixed salad with perfect textures.
  • Add Avocado Last: Though the avocado is added to the mixing bowl to combine with the dressing, it's best to add it just before serving. This preserves the avocado’s creamy texture and prevents it from browning or becoming mushy, keeping it fresh and visually appealing.
  • Boost the Protein: If you're looking for a heartier dish, try adding chopped grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or tofu chunks to the Cowboy Caviar. This can easily transform it from a simple side into a satisfying main course.
  • Spice Things Up: For an extra kick, sprinkle some taco seasoning or a Cajun spice mix over the veggies before mixing. This will infuse the salad with an additional layer of bold flavor.
  • Other Dressing Options: While a simple vinaigrette is a classic choice for Cowboy Caviar, exploring other dressings like avocado, ranch, cilantro lime, or tahini dressing can introduce different flavors and add a unique twist to the classic version.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 1216mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1083IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 5mg

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