Cowboy Caviar, also known as Texas Caviar, will be the hit of your next get together, and best of all, it comes together in about 15 minutes!

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Cowboy Caviar is also sometimes known as Texas Caviar or Mexican Caviar. It's usually made with finely chopped fresh veggies, black-eyed peas, and black beans, and tossed in a vinaigrette. It's great for parties as an appetizer or even a side dish (try it as a side to our grilled chipotle marinated chicken!)
I'll admit that sometimes when I try a new recipe, Mr. Juggling Act is not all that impressed. Sometimes I tweak and restest and it works out, and sometimes I move on to another recipe.
Then there are recipes like this one that are beloved from the very beginning. In fact, Mr. Juggling Act gobbled so much of this up when I made it the first time that I had to make a second batch to photograph it! It's really that good!

🧂 Ingredients
- black beans
- red onion
- corn
- tomatoes
- yellow, orange, green and red pepper
- jalapeno pepper
- limes
- fresh garlic
From the pantry: granulated sugar, olive oil, red wine cider vinegar, ground cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
🔪 Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the chopped vegetables and the black beans.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetable and bean mixture and toss to coat.
- To serve as an appetizer, place alongside tortilla chips.
⭐ Tips
✔️ When fresh corn is in season, use that instead of canned corn kernels. It really makes this the star of your summer BBQ!
✔️ This wonderful recipe can be made a day ahead of time.
Equipment
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Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:
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📖Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our Texas Caviar recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
- Traditionally, a Cowboy Caviar recipe includes black-eyed peas. Add one 15oz can if you like.
- Substitute the black beans for pinto beans - or use both!
- For creaminess, you can chop up one avocado and toss it with lime juice before incorporating it with the rest of the ingredients.
- If you don't have red wine vinegar on hand, you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like green onions or chives to the top. Or, chop up a bunch of cilantro to add to this delicious dip.
- For an extra little kick, use serrano peppers instead of jalapeno peppers.
Low Carb Variation
Omit the corn and substitute yellow onion for a low carb version of this Texas caviar recipe.

🍴 Serving Suggestions
So, when you're done making this cowboy caviar recipe, serve it as an appetizer with corn chips or tortilla chips, or as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, pork, or beef. It's sure to be a big hit!
It's also delicious on tacos and enchiladas as well as walking taco casserole and cowboy cornbread casserole.

Deliciously spicy Grilled Chipotle Marinated Chicken is perfect with Cowboy Caviar!
Related: Easy Pico de Gallo
🍲 Storage
To Store: Keep your Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Caviar) in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
😋Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
- Make Ahead Buffalo Chicken Dip never disappoints! You'll love how easy it is to make, too!
- If you're a fan of spicy food, you'll our Spicy Hot Wings.
- Prep these Garlic Herb Cheese Bombs ahead of time for a quick and cheesy snack!
Find more amazing potluck, party, and game day recipes:
Let's Eat!
If you're looking for an amazing side dish or quick appetizer, make this cowboy caviar! Friends and family will rave over it. Warning, you might want to make a double batch because it's sure to disappear!
Not ready to make this colorful Cowboy Caviar yet? When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

Cowboy Caviar Recipe
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Equipment
- Chip and Dip Serving Dish
Ingredients
- 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1½ cups sweet corn kernals
- ½ cup red bell pepper finely diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper finely diced
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper finely diced
- ½ cup orange bell pepper finely diced
- ⅓ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper finely diced
- 1 15oz can black beans rinsed and drained
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 glove garlic, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
To Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Set aside.⅓ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 glove garlic, finely minced, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder
To Assemble the Cowboy Caviar
- In a large bowl, combine all of the chopped vegetables and the black beans.3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced, 1½ cups sweet corn kernals, ½ cup red bell pepper, ½ cup green bell pepper, ½ cup yellow bell pepper, ⅓ cup red onion, 1 jalapeno pepper, 1 15oz can black beans, ½ cup orange bell pepper
- Pour the dressing over the vegetable and bean mixture and toss to coat.
- To serve as an appetizer, put out alongside tortilla chips.
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Pam K says
This looks really good!!
Pam
Ang Paris says
Thanks! Hope you get to try it soon!
Lisa says
What a tasty recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Jill says
How long does it las after made
Ang Paris says
Cowyboy Caviar will last in the fridge for 4-5 days as long as you keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. 🙂