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Home » Recipes » Snacks and Appetizer Recipes

Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Modified: Jul 19, 2023 by Kori Butler · Published: Jul 19, 2023

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This easy cowboy caviar recipe is a classic favorite that everyone will devour at your next gathering, party, or picnic! It is loaded with fresh, flavorful ingredients like bell pepper, onion, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, sweet corn, and the best homemade Italian salad dressing. Bonus: it's gluten-free, plant based, and healthy!

A hand is scooping up some colorful cowboy caviar with a tortilla chip.Pin

The Ultimate Cowboy Caviar Recipe 

Party Favorite! This dip is always a crowd-pleaser--seriously, good to the last kernel of corn! It's great because there's no meat, gluten, or dairy, so nearly anyone is able to indulge guilt-free, and you'll be sure to be asked over and over for the recipe.

Fresh Ingredients. Loaded with fresh bell peppers, onions, corn, beans, and tomatoes, use a store-bought or homemade Italian salad dressing to toss it all together. Check out the variations section for the perfect additions to make it even more special.

Healthy. This cowboy caviar is the perfect dip because it is plant-based and full of veggies, gluten-free, low in sugar, and high in fiber! Make your own low-carb tortilla chips using zero-carb tortillas cut into triangles and air fry until crispy. The best combo!

Be sure to pin this to Pinterest to save for later! 🙂

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What is Cowboy Caviar?

Cowboy caviar is a dip that's also called Texas caviar. It originated in Dallas, Texas, in the 1940s by a woman named Helen Corbitt. It is a bean salad made with black-eyed peas that are tossed with a vinaigrette dressing that lightly pickles the salad. Traditionally it is loaded with other ingredients ranging from bell pepper, onion, fresh corn, avocado, fresh diced jalapeno, and some may have fresh chopped cilantro.

Cowboy Caviar Ingredients 

All the ingredients needed for making cowboy caviar on a white wooden table.Pin

Here are the ingredients you will need to make cowboy caviar dip:

  • Red Onion: you can use other onion varieties as you choose, I have used sweet onion as well, and it works great.
  • Green Bell Pepper
  • Orange Bell Pepper
  • Black Eyed Peas: used in traditional cowboy caviar recipes for their color and texture.
  • Black Beans: used for color in traditional cowboy caviar; you can use other bean varieties if you wish as well.
  • Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: the fire-roasted flavor pairs really well with all the other ingredients.
  • Diced Green Chiles: use mild, medium, or hot based on your spice preference level.
  • Frozen Sweet Corn: use frozen thawed sweet corn, canned, drained corn, or fresh corn on the cob.
  • Zesty Italian Dressing: use store-bought or use my recipe below for an easy, delicious Italian dressing recipe.
  • Salt and Pepper

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

How to Make Cowboy Caviar Dip

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this cowboy caviar recipe:

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl.

Pouring the salad dressing over the top of the texas caviar in a large mixing bowl then stirring together.

2. Add salad dressing and stir.

3. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make Cowboy Caviar Dressing

Cowboy caviar is often made with Italian dressing. It's easy to make your own - just mix the following ingredients in a small bowl, then refrigerate until ready to add to the salad.

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (or lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Substitutions and Variations

Use sweet onion in place of red onion.

Use any combination of bell peppers that you prefer. Keep in mind that red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and yellow bell peppers are sweeter, but some may prefer that.

Canned sweet yellow or white corn (drained) can be used instead of frozen-thawed corn. Use fresh corn off the cob when in season as well.

Make it spicy by adding chopped fresh jalapeno, or use hot diced green chilies.

Add freshly chopped cilantro--delicious in this Texas caviar recipe!

Increase the tanginess with more dressing, adding fresh lime or lemon juice or adding red wine vinegar.

When ready to serve, add fresh diced avocado to your mixture.

How to Serve Cowboy Caviar

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Serve with corn chips or tortilla chips.

Serve as a condiment for tacos, hot dogs, brats, grilled chicken, or any of your other grilled favorites.

Meal idea! Serve it over grilled chicken or pork! Make tacos with my Mexican ground beef recipe and use it as a mild fresh topping for tacos or make simple nachos to use for scooping up this delicious dip!

How to Store Cowboy Caviar Dip

Store your leftover colorful cowboy caviar in an air-tight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. After 3 days, the dip gets more watery from the fresh vegetables that weep out.

Cowboy Caviar Recipe FAQs

Is Cowboy Caviar pico de gallo?

They are not the same thing but are a similar concept. Pico de Gallo is a traditional Mexican Salsa made up of equal parts tomato and onion with cilantro and fresh lime juice. Cowboy caviar often has those ingredients but also contains beans, corn, black-eyed peas, and bell pepper - and it's not typically spicy.

Why is it called Cowboy Caviar?

It is called cowboy caviar because it originated in Dallas, Texas, by a woman named Helen Corbitt in the 1940s. Since then, it has been adapted and changed since its original version but enjoyed just the same!

What is the real name for cowboy caviar?

The common name for cowboy caviar is actually called Texas caviar because it originated in Dallas, Texas.

Can I ask you a favor?

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!

📖 The recipe.

A clear round glass bowl full of Texas caviar dip garnished with fresh cilantro.

Cowboy Caviar Dip

You will love this refreshing, colorful, healthy - and very flavorful cowboy caviar dip! Make it ahead 12 to 24 hours before. It's THE perfect thing to take to your next cookout, potluck, or picnic!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 12 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup red onion (diced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 red or orange bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 (15-ounce can) black-eyed peas (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 (15-ounce can) black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 (15-ounce can) fire roasted diced tomatoes (drained)
  • 1 (4-ounce can) diced green chiles, hot or mild (drained)
  • 1 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed
  • 1 cup zesty Italian dressing (Or, make our homemade dressing. See notes below)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix together.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Kori's Tips

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • VARIATIONS:  Sweet onion can be substituted for red onion; Any combination of colorful bell peppers may be used, keeping in mind that red, yellow, and orange are sweeter; Canned sweet yellow or white corn (drained) may be used in place of frozen thawed corn; Make it spicy by adding a chopped fresh jalapeno or use spicy diced green chiles; Fresh cilantro can be added; Increase tanginess with more dressing, lime or lemon juice, red wine vinegar.
  • TIPS: It's okay to use a fat free or light zesty Italian dressing but they are often much sweeter than the regular version. Use lime, lemon, or vinegar to add tanginess; Let the caviar sit in the fridge overnight so the flavors can blend. 
  • SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with corn chips or tortilla chips. It makes a great condiment topping for tacos, hot dogs, brats, grilled chicken, and pork too! 
  • EASY ZESTY ITALIAN DRESSING: Mix the following ingredients in a small bowl, then refrigerate until ready to add to the salad.
    • 3/4 cup olive oil
    • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice (or lemon)
    • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Nutrition

Calories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 8gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 373mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 639IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 3mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™

More Dip Recipes To Try

  • Mango Peach Salsa
  • Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
  • Guacamole Avocado Dip
  • Chipotle Crema - use it as a sauce or dip! Yum.
  • Dill Pickle Salsa Recipe
  • Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe
  • Best Pickled Red Onions Recipe
  • Pickled Red Cabbage Recipe
  • Spicy 'n Sweet Pepper Relish (No Canning)
  • Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heidi Ann Hammons

    July 19, 2023 at 11:25 am

    I don't see the link for Italian Dressing. Love to try this recipe but I don't use bottled dressings as they are always made with unhealthy oils. TIA

    Reply
    • seekinggoodeats

      July 25, 2023 at 8:58 am

      Thank you! I totally agree homemade tastes so much better and uses healthier oils! I had put instructions within the post, but just added to the recipe card so it's easy to find! 🙂 I do have a really good Italian dressing that I make a lot but it includes parmesan cheese. The version in the cowboy caviar is basically the same buy has no cheese. Enjoy!

      Reply
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hey there, I'm Kori.

I’m a culinary school trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share great-tasting, craveable, healthy recipes.

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