Discover the irresistible flavor of Cowgirl Caviar. Made with fresh vegetables, beans, and a zesty vinaigrette, it's a healthy version of the traditional cowboy caviar.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Cowgirl Caviar Recipe
Traditional cowboy Caviar, also known as Texas caviar, is a summertime favorite side dish made of fresh veggies, black-eyed peas, and black beans, tossed in Italian salad dressing with a pinch of added cane sugar. This cowgirl caviar is made with the same hearty vegetables and a healthier homemade zesty vinaigrette, sweetened with honey instead of refined sugar. It's easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser. Here are some more reasons why you will love this healthy cowboy caviar recipe:
- Healthy recipe with no refined sugar. This flavorful dip is made with fresh ingredients, including a homemade dressing that has a touch of honey for sweetness.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients. You can make this recipe year-round, as the healthy ingredients are readily available.
- Perfect for a large crowd. This easy recipe makes a large batch and combined with the fresh flavors is perfect for BBQs and summer parties. Guaranteed to be a huge hit!
For more summertime favorites: check out our mango pico de gallo, dark chocolate hummus, and burrata Caprese salad.
Cowgirl Caviar Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this healthy homemade cowgirl caviar:
Ingredient Notes
- Beans: Canned black beans and black-eyed peas give this dip a hearty texture and added protein. Make sure to drain, rinse, and dry the beans well. You can also cook the beans if you do not want to use canned beans.
- Vegetables: Frozen or fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh jalapeno add spice, color, and contrast. Roma tomatoes can be substituted for the cherry tomatoes.
- Herbs: Fresh cilantro adds an herbaceous flavor.
- Vinaigrette Dressing: A mix of olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, honey, chili powder, salt, and black pepper adds a zesty touch and brings everything together. For a vegan version, you can use maple syrup instead of honey.
Find the printable card recipe with full instructions and measurements below.
How To Make Cowgirl Caviar
- Step 1: Prep the veggies. To a large bowl, add the drained and rinsed black beans and black-eyed peas, corn, chopped tomatoes, red pepper, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Stir until combined.
- Step 2: Make the dressing. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, honey, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 3: Add the dressing. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss until well mixed.
- Step 4: Marinate. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, until cold and the flavors have marinated together. If not serving immediately, be sure to stir well before serving. This recipe is best served the same day it is prepared. Serve as a dip with tortilla chips or as a side dish.
Substitutions & Variations
- Avocado cowboy caviar - Add one diced avocado to the top of the bean salad before serving.
- Mango cowboy caviar - For extra sweetness add some chopped mango.
- Spicy cowboy caviar - Spice up the homemade Italian dressing by using hot honey or adding a pinch of cayenne.
- No tomato cowboy caviar - If you are not a fan of juicy tomatoes, try adding additional red pepper, orange pepper, or green bell pepper instead.
Expert Tips
- Serve the same day it is made - For the best flavor and texture, this simple dip is best served the same day it is prepared.
- Stir right before serving - The juice from the vegetables and the vinaigrette will eventually settle at the bottom of the bowl, so right before serving give the salad a big stir.
- Add the avocado last - Avocados brown quickly, so avoid chopping them too early. Don’t add avocado to any cowboy caviar you plan to save for leftovers.
- Use fresh lime juice - Fresh lime juice has a brighter more vibrant flavor when compared to bottled lime juice
Storage Instructions
- Storage: This dip can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for 3-4 days.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to serve this cowgirl caviar, here are some of our favorites:
- Serve as a dip - Combine with tortilla chips.
- Serve as a side dish - Pair this bean salad with chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- Use as a topper - Layer over baked sweet potatoes, tacos, cilantro-lime rice, or on top of a side salad.
FAQ
Cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar, originated in Texas in the 1940s. Chef Helen Corbitt invented the dish and served it at the Houston Country Club. The name "cowboy caviar" was a humorous comparison to the expensive appetizer of caviar.
This recipe is best served the same day it is made. If you need to make it in advance, prepare all of the vegetables without the dressing, and add the dressing 20-30 minutes before serving.
As the bean salad sits, the dressing will settle to the bottom of the bowl. This has all the flavor, so you do not want to drain. Give the salad a quick stir right before serving.
More Recipe's You'll Love
I hope you love this cowgirl caviar recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
Recipe
Cowgirl Caviar (Healthy Cowboy Caviar)
Ingredients
Bean Salad
- 15 ounce black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounce black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen corn thawed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced, about ¾ cup
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced with seeds removed
- ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing
- 6 tablespoons (90ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon (7g) honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the veggies. To a large bowl, add the drained and rinsed black beans and black-eyed peas, corn, chopped tomatoes, red pepper, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Stir until combined.
- Make the dressing. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, honey, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the dressing. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss until well mixed.
- Marinate. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, until cold and the flavors have marinated together. If not serving immediately, be sure to stir well before serving. This recipe is best served the same day it is prepared. Serve as a dip with tortilla chips or as a side dish.
Comments
No Comments