This Recipe for Cowboy Caviar is Super Fresh and Simple!
Easy salads, dips, and sides make great, summer recipes!
This veggie packed dip uses super fresh ingredients and a simple, homemade
Definitely dig into this dip with your favorite chips!
Ingredients Needed for Cowboy Caviar
I know this looks like a LONG list, but really it is a simple recipe!
You can chop and prep beforehand or ask a few family members to join you in the kitchen for some veggie chopping! :)
Good news, though…there’s a lot of beans in this recipe that require no chopping!
- Olive oil (as much as I love extra virgin olive oil, I typically use a lighter olive oil for this recipe. It’s up to your taste preference!)
- White vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt (Himalayan is a fun choice!)
- Black pepper (freshly, cracked pepper is my favorite!)
- Black beans
- Cannellini beans
- Black eyed peas
- Red beans
- Pinto beans
- Sweet corn
- Bell pepper
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced small
- medium red onion, chopped
- chopped fresh parsley (in a pinch, you can use dried)
How to Make Cowboy Caviar
Step One: Make Dressing for Cowboy Caviar
Combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan on the stove.
Step Two: Cook and Simmer
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Step Three: Cool Dressing for Cowboy Caviar
Stir until the sugar has dissolved completely, then remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Step Four: Combine Ingredients for Cowboy Caviar
In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
Pour the cooled dressing over the bean mixture and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve with tortilla chips.
How to Serve Cowboy Caviar
This is a versatile dish!
It’s popular as a side dish, dip, or even topping for grilled meats.
Can You Make Cowboy Caviar Several Days in Advance?
If you’re in a hurry, go ahead and make the dressing and beans one day in advance.
Don’t add the veggies until the day you’re serving this recipe so veggies are crisp!
How Long Does Cowboy Caviar Stay Good in the Refrigerator?
This recipe stays stays pretty fresh for three or four days if refrigerated.
Please don’t freeze the recipe!
What Can I do With Leftover Cowboy Caviar?
Tuck the beans and veggies inside a breakfast omelet, quiche, or add to a hearty soup.
Easy Substitutions to use in the Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Be creative with the beans. You can use kidney beans, great northern beans, butter beans, navy beans, chickpeas, and even Lima beans.
It’s totally up to you!
Use white corn instead of yellow corn. I actually LOVE white corn!
Replace the parsley. You can use freshly chopped cilantro.
Use bottled Italian dressing. If you need a time-saving hack, don’t hesitate to use a store-bought option.
I love Wish-bone Italian when I’m in a hurry!
Tools used in this recipe:
- Stainless steel saucepan
- Whisk
- Glass Pyrex mixing bowl
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Prep bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Serving bowl
More Appetizer and Dip Recipes:
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Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy caviar is a mix of beans, fresh veggies, seasonings, and a homemade dressing. It's perfect for a side dish, salad, dip, or appetizer! Goes well with chips!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can black eyed peas, drained & rinsed
- 1 can red beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can sweet corn, drained
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced small
- ½ medium red onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
First, make the dressing.
Combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan on the stove.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Stir until the sugar has dissolved completely, then remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
Pour the cooled dressing over the bean mixture and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
Notes:
There are lots of ways to customize this dish! Use any combination of beans you like. You could also add or sub in kidney beans, great northern beans, butter beans, navy beans, chickpeas, or even Lima beans.
Substitute canned diced pimentos for the jalapeños if preferred.
Hominy or white corn can be used in place of sweet yellow canned corn.
Want to add some color and texture to the mix? Add diced tomatoes, canned sliced black olives, diced avocado, or any combination of the three.
Substitute chopped cilantro for the parsley or add it in for a blast of southwest-style flavor.
If you don’t want to make your own dressing, or want a lower sugar or more savory option, you can use a bottle of Italian dressing instead.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 530mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 10gSugar: 15gProtein: 14g
Nutrition values are estimates only, and are provided only as a courtesy.
