Texas Caviar is a simple recipe for a party dip that is packed full of flavor! Cowboy Caviar is made with black eyed peas, tons of fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade dressing. Whip up this simple recipe in less than 10 minutes and serve it up as a chip dip, a salad or as a topping for grilled meat.
This Texas Caviar is the perfect recipe to serve at a party, along with Bacon Wrapped Dates, Instant Pot Chicken Wings, Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip, and Tomato Bruschetta.
Texas Caviar
This simple recipe for what is known as Texas Caviar, is fresh, light and so full of flavor it really makes a perfect dish to bring to any party.
In fact, the first time I had Texas Caviar was at a New Year’s Party and I am not ashamed to say, I devoured the dish myself.
The combination of fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions, corn, cilantro and black beans was so incredibly fresh and flavorful. I just could not stop myself from eating this Cowboy Caviar by the spoonful. Plus black eyed peas are supposed to ring in good luck for the New Year, so no such thing as too much of a good thing!
But Texas Caviar does not deserve to only make an appearance at New Years. This easy Black Eyed Pea dip is perfect for tailgating, hanging with friends, and is also delicious served as a side salad, or used to top grilled meat. Even with a homemade dressing, it takes less than 10 minutes of hands on time and always impresses!
Ingredients for Texas Caviar
- Black Eyed Peas
- Black Beans
- Corn–either frozen or canned corn that has been drained and rinsed well works for this recipe
- Bell Pepper–green, red, or yellow are all fine
- Green Onions–use both the white and green part of the onions
- Jalapeno–seeds removed and very finely minces to add flavor, but omit if you can not handle the heat!
- Tomatoes–grape or cherry tomatoes are best. If using roma or vine-ripened tomatoes, be sure to de-seed the tomatoes before adding to the Texas Caviar.
- Cilantro
- Dressing
Ingredients for the Dressing
Some recipes for Texas Caviar call for bottled Italian Dressing, but I find that this homemade dressing is so much brighter in flavor and compliments this dish better.
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar–white distilled or apple cider vinegar can be substituted
- Lime juice–fresh lime juice is the best!
- Honey–or granulated sugar in equal parts
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Coriander
- Salt and Pepper
If using bottled dressing in place of the homemade dressing, use 1/3 cup of bottled Italian Dressing.
How to Make Texas Caviar
Step One: Prepare Dressing
- Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, honey, and seasonings together. Pro-tip: Use a large enough bowl to toss the ingredients with the dressing, eliminating one extra dish to wash!
Step Two: Prepare Texas Caviar
- Toss the black eyed peas, black beans, onions, tomatoes, corn, and peppers together with the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Step Three: Serve
- Right before serving add in the chopped cilantro and toss the Cowboy Caviar together again.
- Serve with tortilla chips, as a side dish, or on top of grilled meat.
More Party Perfect Dips
- Easy Cream Cheese Taco Dip
- Homemade Salsa Recipe
- French Onion Chip Dip
- Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Easy Cream Cheese Apple Dip
- Dill Dip
- Mexican Hot Corn Dip
Texas Caviar
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce can) black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce can) black eyed peas rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups corn
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup green onion thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed and minced finely
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- ⅓ cup cilantro finely chopped
DRESSING
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice fresh-squeezed
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon coriander
Instructions
Dressing
- In a small bowl whisk together oil, lime juice, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and coriander.
Texas Caviar
- Combine black beans, black eyed peas, corn, pepper, jalapeno, onions, and tomatoes together Add in dressing toss until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Toss/stir well so that ingredients are well-combined.
- Before serving, add in cilantro and toss again to combine.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute white distilled vinegar for red wine vinegar.
- Granulated sugar can be used in place of the honey, which keeps this Texas Caviar vegan friendly.
- If using unsalted canned beans or homemade beans, you may need to add an additional ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and season accordingly.
- If using bottled dressing in place of the homemade dressing, use 1/3 cup of bottled Italian Dressing.
- Texas Caviar will last in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Kristen Chidsey
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This recipe is so delicious and is the only caviar i’ll eat!
You and me both! So glad you enjoyed
Great looking recipe! Thanks for sharing!