Cowboy Caviar

Loaded with fresh veggies and topped with a tasty vinaigrette, this colorful cowboy caviar (also called Texas caviar) is the summer salsa that packs some heat!

This post contains affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy.

About Cowboy Caviar

For those that like a little spicy kick, cowboy caviar (also called Texas caviar) is a great salsa to have on hand. Whether you’re serving it as a dip or as a garnish on tacos or cooked meats, it’s a flavorful way to jazz up just about any dish.

It’s especially great during the fair-weather months when a lot of the fresh veggies are in their prime season.

What is cowboy caviar?

There’s a whole series of “cowboy” recipes out there, and they’re typically dishes you’re already familiar with…  but with a bit of a spicy kick added in.

This cowboy caviar is no exception. It’s a bean salad (with black beans and black eyed peas) and an assortment of veggies (peppers, avocado, tomato, etc) that’s then topped with a homemade mild-to-spicy vinaigrette dressing.

And, of course, there’s also a chopped up jalapeno tossed in the mix, too.

Is cowboy caviar healthy?

At about 200 calories per serving, the short answer to this is mostly yes, but there are a few things to consider:

• While this salad is full of flavorful veggies, it does include black beans, black eyed peas, and avocado. None of these ingredients are necessarily “unhealthy,” but that could be up for debate depending on your plan or health goals.
• The dressing has a light flavor, but it does include olive oil, honey, and white wine vinegar. Like above, these ingredients have their own pros and cons on whether or not they’d be a healthy choice or not.

Can you make cowboy caviar in advance?

Yes, you can, but with a catch:

Wait to add the avocado until you’re ready to serve. In fact, I would even recommend waiting to chop the avocado until just before you’re ready to use it. Avocado can be temperamental, so the less time it’s exposed to the air before eating, the better.

How long does cowboy caviar last?

Once prepared, cowboy caviar can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Can you freeze cowboy caviar?

Due to the avocado and other juicy veggies, I can’t recommend freezing this cowboy caviar dip. The salad should taste the same after freezing, but significant water will be lost from thawing, and that will cause the texture of the ingredients to change. And when you’re talking salads and salsas made with fresh ingredients, texture is everything.

For best results, enjoy your Texas caviar the day it’s made.

What can you serve with cowboy caviar?

Because of the strong flavors in this salsa, your best bet is use mild flavors for dipping. Here are a few of my go-to favorites:

• Tortilla chips, especially the scoops
• Ritz crackers
• Saltine crackers
• Wheat thins
• Toasted pieces of bread

Notes & tips for cowboy caviar dip

• When making this recipe, you’ll need a big mixing bowl so you have enough room to maneuver and stir. I own a 13 quart mixing bowl for this very reason.
• When preparing jalapenos, be sure to wear food safety gloves while handling them and avoid any contact with your eyes while you work. Also, you have a crucial choice to include the jalapeno seeds or remove them. The seeds are where this pepper gets its trademark fire, so only include them if you want the extra kick. For a full tutorial on cutting jalapeno peppers, check out How to Cut a Jalapeno Pepper the Right Way.

More tasty dips

Other spicy eats

How to make cowboy caviar

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – In a small bowl, make the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lime juice, white wine vinegar, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 2 – In a very large bowl (I like using a 13 quart mixing bowl for this), add the black beans, black eyed peas, sweet corn, Roma tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeno.

Step 3 – Pour the dressing on top, then use a spatula to gently toss all of the ingredients together until they’re coated in dressing.

Step 4 – Serve with chips and enjoy!