Saddle up and get ready to unleash some serious Wild West vibes with this kickin’ Cowboy Caviar Dip! We’re talking about a party in your mouth – all thanks to fresh sweet corn, rainbow-hue peppers, and smooth avocado.
What’s better than a layered, eye-popping dip? Spoiler alert: nothing. So, why not totally impress your family with our irresistible Cowboy Caviar Dip Recipe? Trust me, it’s a serious crowd-pleaser, mixing up hearty beans, crispy corn, juicy tomatoes, and punchy peppers, all covered in a tangy dressing. All your guests will be swarming the snack table!
The name “Cowboy Caviar” gives a playful nod to this dip’s rustic origins. I love that it is a tasty treat but also an Insta-worthy dip that adds a burst of color to your table. Whether you’re throwing a cowboy-themed BBQ or a friendly game night this recipe ticks all the boxes. I like to pair it with my Mexican Cheese dip.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This is a really quick and easy dish that doesn’t take a lot of time to make but is really tasty.
- The zesty flavors of the red wine vinaigrette and the coriander give the dish a little Tex-Mex vibe.
- You can make a huge batch and serve it at a party with tortilla chips. The great part? Letting the “caviar” sit in the fridge allows the ingredients and their flavors to get acquainted.
Ingredients
I’ve divided up the ingredients for you so that you can keep track of them more easily.
The Dressing:
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and pepper
The Caviar:
- 1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 red, yellow, or orange pepper, diced
- 1 ½ cups corn kernels, cooked
- 1 jalapeno, finely diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 3 tbsp cilantro, shredded
- 1 avocado, cubed
- salt and pepper
How to Make Cowboy Caviar Dip – The Steps
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, crushed garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
Step 2: Take a large serving bowl and add the black-eyed peas, black beans, finely diced red onion, diced peppers, cooked corn kernels, finely diced jalapenos, diced tomatoes, shredded cilantro, avocado, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the bowl, ensuring that everything is evenly coated. Toss well to combine.
Variations
- As is, this Cowboy Caviar more closely resembles a dip or salsa. If you’d like to serve it as a light meal, add some protein. Chicken, pork, or beef can be grilled then sliced or diced.
- One thing this caviar does not include is cheese. If you want, you can add in a little crumbed feta or cotija for a creamy texture.
- For a more authentic Southern taste, use lime instead of red wine vinegar in the dressing.
- Black-eyed peas and black beans are on the original roster but you can swap them out for other kinds. I like kidney beans, pinto beans, or chickpeas. Just remember to rinse well.
Tips & Tricks
- For the best flavor, let all the ingredients sit together in the fridge for about half an hour before serving.
- Any leftovers? Try adding them to a soup or stew for a Southern-inspired twist.
- I mentioned that you can transform this dip into a meal by adding protein. Well, you can do the same thing by laying the ingredients on a bed of lettuce to make it into a salad.
Serving Suggestions
There are a number of Tex-Mex options that can be found right here on BB. If you want to serve chicken WITH the dip but not ON the dip, you can make this Mexican Chicken dish (psst! it’s not really Mexican; that’s just what my mom called it when she made it for us as kids). You can also put this recipe together with this one for Pork Tenderloin and Mexican Quinoa — keep the tenderloin and add the quinoa to Cowboy Caviar. To wash it down, whip up a batch of Spicy Margaritas. The crispness of the salad and the spice of the cocktail are a great combination for a hot day.
FAQs
Yes, canned or frozen corn is great for this one and a real time-saver.
Try to up the red wine vinegar or add lime. Also, make sure you’re using the right amount of seasoning. Last, do up some more cilantro and add it in.
You could cook them, but it will change the flavor of the dish dramatically. It will become less like a dip and more like the filling of a fajita.
You can use more jalapenos or swap them with serrano or habanero peppers. And a bit of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce in the dressing does wonders, too.
You can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Even lemon or lime juice can step in but it will tweak the flavor profile a bit.
Caviar dip is totally flexible. Try cucumber for an extra crunch, or spinach/kale to green-up your mix.
While tortilla chips are traditional, you can also dip it with pita chips, veggie sticks, or regular crackers.
How to Store Cowboy Caviar Dip
Pop any leftovers in the fridge, sealing them in an airtight container. If you’re at a party, keep it cool by sitting your serving bowl in a dish of ice.
Typically, your dip will stay good for 3 days. The flavors even get more mind-blowing after a day, so, for the best experience, try to eat it 1-3 days after you make it.
Freezing the dip? Not the best idea due to fresh ingredients like tomatoes and avocado. However, you can freeze the beans, corn, and onion ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, just thaw, drain the liquid, and add the fresh ingredients and dressing.
Cowboy Caviar Dip Recipe
Ingredients
The Dressing:
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and pepper
The Caviar:
- 1 can black-eyed peas rinsed and drained
- 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
- ½ red onion finely diced
- 1 red yellow, or orange pepper, diced
- 1 ½ cups corn kernels cooked
- 1 jalapeno finely diced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 3 tbsp cilantro shredded
- 1 avocado cubed
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, crushed garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
- Take a large serving bowl and add the black-eyed peas, black beans, finely diced red onion, diced peppers, cooked corn kernels, finely diced jalapenos, diced tomatoes, shredded cilantro, avocado, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the bowl, ensuring that everything is evenly coated. Toss all the ingredients together until well combined.
