Y’all know I’m from Oklahoma, right? I grew up eating cowboy caviar, also called Texas caviar. It’s a classic bean salad recipe popular in the South. You…
Y’all know I’m from Oklahoma, right? I grew up eating cowboy caviar, also called Texas caviar. It’s a classic bean salad recipe popular in the South. You can serve it as a side salad or as salsa. Either way, people go crazy for cowboy caviar at potlucks.
Cowboy caviar is made with black-eyed peas and black beans, chopped tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, onion and cilantro tossed in tangy Italian dressing. I typically think of cowboy caviar as a warm weather salad, but it’s made with ingredients that are readily available year-round.
Cowboy caviar is actually perfect for New Year’s if you’re craving something fresh yet hearty, and trying to hit your black-eyed pea quota!
I have one issue with most cowboy caviar recipes—they’re often swimming in store-bought Italian salad dressing. As such, they can be way too oily and contain some unnecessary preservatives. Instead, I whisked together a simple, homemade Italian dressing from scratch. It’s easy to do and tastes fantastic.
This recipe yields a big bowl of dip, but I don’t think you’ll have any trouble polishing it off. I hope you enjoy this cheekily titled delight!
Cowboy Caviar, sometimes called Texas Caviar, is a simple dip that is always a crowd pleaser. It is fresh, colorful, and so delicious! It is similar to my black bean salad, but is made with black-eyed peas and has a vinaigrette-style dressing that give…
Cowboy Caviar, sometimes called Texas Caviar, is a simple dip that is always a crowd pleaser. It is fresh, colorful, and so delicious! It is similar to my black bean salad, but is made with black-eyed peas and has a vinaigrette-style dressing that gives the caviar a nice tangy flavor. Serve with salty tortilla chips…
This super fresh and colorful Cowboy Caviar combines two types of beans, delicious summer vegetables, and a sweet and tangy lime dressing to make a bold and versatile dish that you’ll find yourself making over and over. From a party dip to a salad topper, Cowboy Caviar has become a go-to healthy meal prep item in my kitchen. It’s the O.G. refrigerator salad. 😄 Read on for more ideas on how to use this amazing cross between bean salad and salsa!
Originally posted 7-19-2016, updated 6-1-2022.
What is Cowboy Caviar?
Cowboy Caviar, sometimes called Mexican Caviar, is like a cross between a bean salad and a fresh salsa. It combines two types of beans (black beans and black eyed peas) with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables and a tangy balsamic-lime vinaigrette.
Where Do You Find Black Eyed Peas?
If you can’t find black eyed peas in the canned bean aisle, check with the canned vegetables. Because they’re a “pea” they’re sometimes found with the canned vegetables rather than the beans. And if you can’t find black eyed peas, you can substitute pinto beans or navy beans.
How Long Does it Last?
Well, if you don’t eat it all in one sitting (it can happen!), Cowboy Caviar holds up extremely well in the refrigerator and will be just as tasty after about 4-5 days of refrigeration. While the vegetables will let off a little water, most of the ingredients are very sturdy. Just be sure to stir the salad before serving to redistribute the dressing. This salad will probably not freeze well, due to the fresh herbs and vegetables.
How to Serve Cowboy Caviar
There are SO many ways to eat Cowboy Caviar that you’ll probably find yourself adding it to everything you eat. But here are a few ideas anyway:
Serve it as a side dish with dinner
As a chunky dip for chips
As a topping for tacos
Stuffed into a burrito or as part of a burrito bowl
Sprinkled over a green salad
Spooned on top of scrambled eggs
Stuffed into a quesadilla with some cheese
…and so much more. If you have a favorite way to eat your Cowboy Caviar, feel free to share it with the rest of us in the comments below!
Recipe Variations
One of the best things about Cowboy Caviar is that it is extremely versatile. You can customize this recipe to give it your own personal touch. Here are a couple of substitutions and add-ins that will make it your own:
Add avocado for a creamy finish
Skip the jalapeño to make it mild, or keep the jalapeño and add a few dashes of hot sauce to make it extra spicy
Substitute green onion for the red onion to make the salad milder
Add sweet corn for more color and flavor variation
Add ½ tsp smoked paprika to the dressing for a smokier finish
Can you Freeze Cowboy Caviar?
I don’t suggest freezing this dish because it has multiple delicate fresh vegetables that will become limp and soggy upon freezing and reheating. You want those veggies to be fresh, juicy, and crunchy to give the salad its amazing texture! :)
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar is a deliciously fresh bean salad with a colorful mix of beans and vegetables, plus a zesty lime dressing.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, 2 Tbsp of juice from the lime, balsamic vinegar, chili powder, cumin, salt, and sugar.
Rinse and drain both cans of beans in a colander. Once well drained, transfer them to a large bowl.
Finely dice the bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapeño, and red onion. Try to dice the vegetables into pieces that are roughly the same size as the beans. For a less spicy salad, scrape the seeds out of the jalapeño before dicing. Roughly chop the cilantro.
Add the chopped vegetables to the bowl with the beans.
Pour the dressing over the salad, then stir until everything is well coated. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to eat.
Video
Notes
*This chili powder is a mild blend of chiles and other spices.
Make the dressing first so the flavors have a few minutes to blend. Whisk together 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp lime juice, ½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp chili powder, ½ tsp sugar, and ½ tsp salt.
Rinse and drain one 15oz. can of black beans and one 15oz. can of black eyed peas in a colander.
Gather one bell pepper (any color), two Roma tomatoes, one jalapeño, 1/4 of a red onion, and 1/4 bunch of cilantro. While any color bell pepper can be used, I like the colorful pop of a yellow or orange bell pepper.
Finely dice the bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapeño, and red onion. The idea is to get the pieces close in size to the beans so that you have a “caviar” type appearance in the end. Roughly chop the cilantro leaves. Place the chopped vegetables in the bowl with the rinsed beans.
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad.
Stir the salad until everything is coated in the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. This is one of those salads that tastes even better after it has time to chill in the fridge, so it’s great to eat over the course of a few days!
Cowboy Caviar makes a great snack with tortilla chips, a topper for tacos, bowl meals, or salads, or spoon some onto baked or grilled fish for a nice light meal!
Looking for another way to enjoy our fan-favorite Smoky Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas? Or have a batch in your freezer and want to take them to a whole new level? Then this nourish bowl is just what you need!
Roasted sweet potatoes pair beautifully with …
Looking for another way to enjoy our fan-favorite Smoky Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas? Or have a batch in your freezer and want to take them to a whole new level? Then this nourish bowl is just what you need!
Roasted sweet potatoes pair beautifully with smoky black eyed peas and mango habanero hot sauce for an incredibly satisfying, flavorful, nutrient-packed, plant-based, and gluten-free entrée.
Happy New Year, friends! What better way to kick off a new year than with a big bowl of Black Eyed Peas & Greens? Not only is it incredibly delicious, but this dish is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and we could all use a little m…
Happy New Year, friends! What better way to kick off a new year than with a big bowl of Black Eyed Peas & Greens? Not only is it incredibly delicious, but this dish is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and we could all use a little more of that in our lives.
This plant-based version is incredibly comforting and delicious. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make with a little help from the Instant Pot.
It’s said that eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings you good luck. Now, I’m not usually superstitious, but after a year like 2020, I’m willing to try anything (just kidding, but I’m not). So let’s ring in good luck for the new year with this quick pot of black eyed peas and greens. Vegetarian and meat options included!
It’s said that eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings you good luck. Now, I’m not usually superstitious, but after a year like 2020, I’m willing to try anything (just kidding, but I’m not). I have an awesome recipe for slow simmered black eyed peas and greens that I made years ago, but it’s a long process that starts with dry peas. So I wanted to make a “quickie” version, using canned black eyed peas, that’s a little faster and easier for times when you haven’t planned ahead.
How to Serve Black Eyed Peas and Greens
There are two basic ways that I like to serve a bit pot of beans or peas like this. Either in a bowl with rice, or in a bowl with a big chunk of crusty bread for dipping. Having some sort of starch to kind of balance the meal out makes it super satisfying and filling.
A little dash of hot sauce on top of your bowl or even a dollop of sour cream on top is also pretty awesome. ;)
Can I Use Dry Peas?
This recipe is specifically made for canned peas, which are already cooked. If you’d like to make something similar using dry peas, follow my recipe for Slow Simmered Black Eyed Peas and Greens.
Can I Add Meat?
The recipe below is vegetarian (vegan, actually), but it’s super easy to add meat to this meal. You have three easy options to keep this a “quick” meal: bacon, ham, or smoked sausage. Whichever one you decide to use, just sauté the meat in the pot before beginning with the onion and garlic in step one below.
Can I Freeze Black Eyed Peas?
Yes! This recipe is great for stocking your freezer. Just divide it into single portions, cool it in the fridge first, then once cool transfer it to the freezer for longer storage (about 3 months or so). Any freezer-safe container will do. To reheat, either use a microwave or heat in a sauce pot over medium-low, stirring often, until heated through.
Quickie Black Eyed Peas and Greens
Ring in good luck for the new year with this quick pot of black eyed peas and greens. Vegetarian and meat options included!
Total Cost $4.43 recipe / $1.11 serving
Prep Time 10minutes
Cook Time 25minutes
Total Time 35minutes
Servings 41.5 cups each
Calories 330.33kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes
Ingredients
1yellowonion$0.32
2clovesgarlic$0.16
2Tbspolive oil$0.32
315oz. cansblack eyed peas$2.37
1/2tspdried oregano$0.05
1/2tspsmoked paprika$0.05
1/8tspcayenne pepper$0.02
1/4tspfreshly cracked black pepper$0.03
2cupsvegetable broth$0.26
4oz.fresh spinach$0.85
Instructions
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add both to a large soup pot with the olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.
Drain the canned black eyed peas, then add them to the pot along with the oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to medium high, and bring the pot up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the peas to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After the peas have simmered for about 15 minutes, use the back of a spoon to smash some of the peas against the side of the pot to thicken the broth (or use an immersion blender to blend a small portion of the peas).
Add the fresh spinach to the pot and stir until it has wilted into the peas. Give the peas a taste and adjust the salt or seasoning to your liking. Serve hot with bread or rice.
How to Make Quickie Black Eyed Peas and Greens – Step by Step Photos
Dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large soup pot with 2 Tbsp olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.
Drain three 15oz. cans of black eyed peas and add them to the pot along with ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 cups of vegetable broth.
Stir the peas, broth, and seasoning together. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring it up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After simmering, the peas will have swelled even a little bit more and they will be even more soft. Use a large spoon to smash some of the peas against the side of the pot, or use an immersion blender to purée a small amount of the peas.
Smashing some of the peas makes the broth thick and creamy.
Add 4 oz. fresh spinach (½ of an 8oz. bag) and stir until it has wilted into the peas. Give the peas a taste and adjust the salt or seasonings to your liking.
Serve with crusty bread or rice and enjoy your good luck in the new year! :)
This Texas caviar (Cowboy caviar) will have everyone crowded around the bowl! It’s full of big, zesty flavor and perfect for parties and cookouts. Here’s a tasty dip with a party vibe: Texas caviar! Cowboy caviar, as it’s also known, was invented in Texas and has now spread all over the US. This combo of black eyed peas, veggies and a vinaigrette dressing is equal parts zesty and comforting: and you can use it as a dip or healthy side dish. Our favorite recipe has loads of colorful veggies, cilantro and jalapenos, and a simple zingy dressing with the perfect flavor. Even better: this party dip happens to be vegan, full of plant-based protein. Here’s how to make it! Ingredients in Texas caviar, aka Cowboy Caviar Just like a good potato salad, everyone has their own spin on the ingredients in Texas caviar. The common denominator: you absolutely must use black eyed peas! From there, there are all sorts of variations on the vegetables and dressing. Here are the essential fresh ingredients you need for the salad: Black eyed peas, canned or cooked (see below) Black beans, canned or cooked Corn Red bell pepper Cherry tomatoes Green onions Jalapeno Cilantro […]
This Texas caviar (Cowboy caviar) will have everyone crowded around the bowl! It’s full of big, zesty flavor and perfect for parties and cookouts.
Here’s a tasty dip with a party vibe: Texas caviar! Cowboy caviar, as it’s also known, was invented in Texas and has now spread all over the US. This combo of black eyed peas, veggies and a vinaigrette dressing is equal parts zesty and comforting: and you can use it as a dip or healthy side dish. Our favorite recipe has loads of colorful veggies, cilantro and jalapenos, and a simple zingy dressing with the perfect flavor. Even better: this party dip happens to be vegan, full of plant-based protein. Here’s how to make it!
Ingredients in Texas caviar, aka Cowboy Caviar
Just like a good potato salad, everyone has their own spin on the ingredients in Texas caviar. The common denominator: you absolutely must use black eyed peas! From there, there are all sorts of variations on the vegetables and dressing. Here are the essential fresh ingredients you need for the salad:
Black eyed peas, canned or cooked (see below)
Black beans, canned or cooked
Corn
Red bell pepper
Cherry tomatoes
Green onions
Jalapeno
Cilantro
Texas caviar dressing
Now, let’s talk Cowboy caviar dressing. A common variation of this recipe uses store-bought Italian dressing. But of course you must make homemade! The dressing is simple to whip up using just a few ingredients you’ll likely already have in your pantry and spice drawer. Here’s what’s in this Texas caviar dressing:
Lime juice
Apple cider vinegar
Sugar
Spices: Garlic powder, cumin, and oregano
Olive oil
How to make Texas caviar: simply chop all the veggies, then whisk up the dressing and stir it together. Easy as that! Jump to the recipe below for the specifics.
Why is it called Cowboy caviar?
Some people call this dip Cowboy caviar, which is a nickname for Texas caviar. Texas caviar is named for its birthplace: Texas! It was created around 1940 by a woman named Helen Corbitt. She first served it on New Year’s Eve at a country club (perhaps because black eyed peas are known as a lucky New Year’s Eve food). When she later served it at a Texas hotel, it was dubbed “Texas caviar” as a play on the real caviar, a fancy appetizer made with fish roe. The name stuck!
What are black eyed peas, anyway?
Black eye peas are not really not peas at all. They’re beans! Black eyed peas are part of the legume family with black beans and chickpeas. While they’re often eaten in the American South, are eaten all over the world.
One of the most popular black eyed peas recipes in the US is as a lucky New Year’s Day tradition: Hoppin’ John, a dish with rice and pork. But there are so many other ways to serve them, like Texas caviar! A few of our other favorites as black eyed pea salad or as a side dish.
Canned vs cooked black eyed peas
For Texas caviar, we like using canned black eyed peas because they’re quick and easy! They also have a beautifully soft texture. But some stores don’t carry them (at least here in Indiana!). So you also can cook your black eyed peas from dry. Here’s what to do:
Place 1/2 pound dried black eyed peas in a large pot with 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt. (You can also cook the entire pound and double these ingredients! Then you’ll have leftovers.)
Cook 40 to 50 minutes until they’re tender but still hold together. Then drain.
How to serve Texas caviar
There are lots of ways to serve Texas caviar or Cowboy caviar, but the most popular is with chips! Here are a few more ideas to get your wheels turning:
Add all the vegetables and beans to a bowl. Mix with the kosher salt.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and cumin. Gradually whisk in the olive oil. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and mix to combine.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving. Serve with chips for dipping.
Category:Appetizer
Method:Raw
Cuisine:Tex Mex
Keywords: Texas caviar, Cowboy caviar
More dip recipes
This Texas caviar is a perfect party dip! Here are a few more dip recipes you might enjoy:
Spinach Artichoke Dip Irresistibly creamy and tangy! Everyone will park themselves in front of the bowl, then ask you for the recipe.
Simple Guacamole Perfect flavor! Creamy, savory and perfectly balanced, you’ll hear a chorus of “Wow’s” every time you serve it.
Dill Pickle Dip Perfect for parties! Creamy and tangy, it’s like biting into a dill pickle spear.
Peanut Butter Dip Wow, do people love this one! This healthy dip is just 4 ingredients and tastes like frosting! Perfect for dipping apples, pretzels or fruit.
Cowboy Caviar, sometimes called Texas Caviar, is a simple dip that is always a crowd pleaser. It is fresh, colorful, and so delicious! It is similar to my black bean salad, but is made with black-eyed peas and has a vinaigrette-style dressing that gives the caviar a nice tangy flavor. Serve with salty tortilla chips… 
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