Cowboy Caviar Dip

Cowboy caviar is an effortless, crowd-pleasing appetizer that comes together in no time and will quickly become a go-to in your recipe rotation.

What Exactly Is Cowboy Caviar?

Also known as Texas caviar, cowboy caviar is a vibrant, refreshing salad made with black-eyed peas and a variety of ingredients, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.

The dish was created in 1940 by Helen Corbitt in Texas. Corbitt, who went on to become the food service director for the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, first introduced it on New Year's Eve at the Houston Country Club.

So why the name 'cowboy caviar'? The playful name was coined when Corbitt served it at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, as a humorous nod to real caviar, which is far more costly and rare.

Ingredients for Cowboy Caviar

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this vibrant cowboy caviar dish:

• Canned veggies: Cowboy caviar starts in the canned food aisle. You'll need one can of black beans, one can of black-eyed peas, and one can of diced tomatoes.
• Frozen corn: This recipe calls for frozen corn, but you can use a (drained) can of whole kernel corn if it's more convenient.
• Fresh veggies and herbs: You'll need an onion, a green bell pepper, and fresh cilantro.
• Pickled jalapeños: For spicier flavor, use a diced fresh jalapeño instead of jarred jalapeños.
• Garlic salt: Garlic salt takes the flavor up a notch, but you can use regular salt if you like.
• Salad dressing: A cup of Italian salad dressing brings the whole dish together.

You can also add optional ingredients like avocado, garbanzo beans, cucumbers, fresh garlic, and scallions. The dish is highly customizable, so feel free to make it your own.

How to Prepare Cowboy Caviar

Making this cowboy caviar is as simple as it gets: Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl! Check out the full, step-by-step recipe below for more detailed instructions.

Can You Prepare Cowboy Caviar in Advance?

Absolutely! Cowboy caviar is perfect for preparing ahead of time. In fact, it’s best if it sits in the fridge for a while to let the flavors develop, so making it a day or two beforehand is ideal.

Best Ways to Serve Cowboy Caviar

While cowboy caviar is traditionally served as an appetizer with tortilla chips, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this Southern classic! It makes a great light salad alongside your meal or can be turned into a filling dish by layering it with rice or greens.

Storing Cowboy Caviar

Keep cowboy caviar in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. It’s not recommended to freeze this dish, as some of its ingredients don’t hold up well to freezing.

Dinogo Community Reviews and Tips

"Simple, tasty, and perfect for feeding a crowd," says GOOEYDAY. "Substitutions are easy to make. I use fresh garlic instead of salt and add a big chunk of avocado on top."

"This is my go-to dish," shares Carol (WI). "It's perfect for potlucks at work and family gatherings. It's so tasty, and you can make it spicier with jalapeños or milder with green chiles."

"This is a summer favorite in our home," notes steveweis. "I throw everything but the kitchen sink into this, and it’s always a hit. I usually double the recipe and swap banana peppers for jalapeños."

Contributed by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained

• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained

• 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed

• ½ medium onion, diced

• ¼ medium green bell pepper, finely chopped

• ½ cup chopped pickled jalapeño peppers

• ½ teaspoon garlic salt

• 1 cup Italian salad dressing

• ¾ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

Collect all the necessary ingredients.

Combine black beans, black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, corn, onions, bell peppers, and jalapeño peppers in a large mixing bowl.

Season with garlic salt, then pour in Italian dressing and add fresh cilantro. Toss everything together until evenly coated.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or up to 3 days, to allow the flavors to combine before serving.

Pro Tip

Nutritional Information (per serving)