This budget-minded dish is chock-full of colorful veggies and black beans, dressed with a tangy, spicy homemade dressing. Whether you call it Texas Caviar or Cowboy Caviar, it is perfect as a side dish or an appetizer served with tortilla chips.
Are you looking for a tasty side dish to contribute to a picnic, potluck, or party? Texas Caviar hits all those notes, and is also perfect as a light lunch option.
Every time I make this dish everyone raves about it. The best part is that it is truly simple to make and is practically a no-cook dish.
TIP: I roasted the corn for added flavor, but if you want a shortcut, feel free to use canned corn.
Pull out your best knife for this Cowboy Caviar recipe. This budget-minded salad is chock-full of colorful vegetables and black beans in a tangy and spicy dressing that really hits the spot. Get ready to do some chopping!
TIP: Make this dish ahead (minus the avocado). The longer this salad sits the better the flavors marinate.
Cowboy Caviar is similar to my black bean salad, but loaded with lots more veggies. It’s a versatile and healthy dish that can be thrown together in under 20 minutes. I promise, you’ll be both proud to serve and happy to eat this amazing dip/salad/appetizer wonder.
FAQs:
Can you make this ahead of time?
Heck yes! This dish actually tastes better after it marinates overnight in the fridge. Just be sure to hold off on adding the avocados until you’re ready to serve to avoid browning.
How long can I refrigerate this dish?
This makes a great meal-prep dish that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Whether you’re preparing for a party ahead of time or looking for easy and healthy packed lunch options, this is a wonderful recipe.
TIP: Do not add the avocado prior to refrigerating, or it will oxidize and turn brown.
Do I need to add cilantro?
If you hate cilantro, feel free to omit or replace with fresh parsley.
What kind of beans should I use?
I use two cans of black beans, but you can substitute other types of beans. Instead of black beans, try pinto beans or feel free to use a combo of black beans and black-eyed peas to bring good luck.
What kind of vinegar works best for this recipe?
My recipe calls for red wine vinegar, but you can use apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar or plain white vinegar if that’s all you have. The flavor of this dish is always a hit no matter which kind of vinegar you use.
What kind of corn is best?
If it’s in season, I like to use fresh corn that has been grilled and cut off the cob for a naturally sweet crunch and roasted flavor.
Feel free to use regular canned sweet corn (not creamed) that has been drained or thawed frozen corn.
TIP: You can still roast frozen corn! Just preheat the oven to 400F, spread a bag’s worth out on a foil lined cookie sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When it’s golden, you’re ready to roll.
How to roast corn on the cob
I usually roast corn on my stovetop on an open flame rather than firing up my grill outside. If you don’t have a gas stove, you can do this on a gas or charcoal grill outside.
TIP: Using a bundt pan is very helpful when removing kernels from fresh corn on the cob. Simply stand your cob in the center and slice. The wide bowl around the center core will easily catch all the kernels and keep your mess to a minimum.
Whether you want to call this Texas Caviar or Cowboy Caviar, the results are all the same: delicious, crunchy and oh-so-satisfying. Be sure to whip up a batch and let me know how it goes in the comments below!
More easy bean side dish recipes
- Frijoles de la Olla
- Frijoles Charros (Cowboy Beans)
- One-Pot Southwestern Rice
- Slow Cooker Borracho Beans
- Black Bean Salad
Love the Texas Caviar recipe? Be sure to pin it for later use!
Cowboy Caviar (Texas Caviar)
Ingredients
- 2 15 ounce cans Simple Truth black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ear corn, roasted and kernels removed or 1 (11-ounce) can of corn
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 red or orange bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 2 avocados, chopped
- 1 to 2 jalapeños, seeded (to taste), minced
- tortilla chips, for serving
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup Kroger extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup lime juice, 2 limes
- 1/3 cup Kroger red wine vinegar
- Handful cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Valentina
- 1 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, cilantro, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Toss with dressing until well combined.
Notes
- This dish calls for red wine vinegar, but you can use apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar or even plain white vinegar.
- Feel free to use corn on the cob, canned sweet corn (not creamed), or thawed frozen corn.Â
- You can easily make this dish ahead of time, just omit the avocados until you're ready to serve.
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
- Nutrition facts do not include tortilla cups / chips
Nutrition
Photography: Jenna Sparks
Originally published: May 2018.
This post is in partnership with Kroger. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.
I’ve now made this several times. It’s so good even my 10 year old daughter now asks me for it! I try and keep some in the fridge for a snack a few times a week! It’s so fresh and healthy too
You have inspired so many people with your wonderful recipes, just keep bringing them on. Love them all. Making the mango and jicama recipe for this weekend. It is so fresh and yummy.
Thank you so much for all of your recipes. I have made several now and they are always a big hit. You helped me discover all the old style foods my abuela used to make. Please keep it going. I love seeing the photos from your food trips to Mexico as well.
My son makes this for salsa, it is the best! He doesn’t add green pepper but avocado is added and it makes it very creamy. No sauce but lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic. It is wonderful, always devoured! I love the idea of toasting the corn, he uses canned, I will pass that along to him!
Love this as a meal or a side! When tomatoes are abundant at the farmer’s market I make this weekly with no complaints.
We’re eating beans a lot more frequently during these covid days. This looks so colorful and healthy, a great way to have beans without getting bored with them. Thansk,Yvette!