The best Texas Cowboy Caviar Salad (Aka Texas caviar recipe or cowboy caviar), is a mixed veg and bean salad that is the ultimate crowd pleaser! Trust me when I say that this is about to become your new favourite hearty dip/salad! Try serving it with Tacos like Smoky Fish Tacos with Jalapeño Slaw and Sriracha, Chipotle Mayo or 10 minute Blackened Shrimp Tacos.
The BEST Texas Cowboy Caviar Salad
This salad is fresh, healthy and vibrant. It is a delicious summer salad made up of mixed beans, veg, corn and a yummy tangy lime dressing.
Ready to eat in 15 minutes, this recipe is easy to assemble and is super adaptable. It is usually served with Nachos/Tortilla Chips.
It can also be used as a taco topping, stirred into rice or pasta to make a cowboy caviar pasta salad or as a side salad to a main dish like grilled meat/fish.
Easy Cowboy Caviar Salad
This great recipe has recently become a viral tik tok hit but I have been making it a while now.
I first came across it when I was looking for a layered dip recipe for a BBQ! It looked like a chunky salsa or Pico de Gallo but better. My interest was piqued!
I ended up making it and taking it along to the BBQ and I have been tweaking it since. This recipe is a huge hit with everyone that has it!
This popular Midwestern easy bean Salad is the perfect dish for meal prep, potlucks, gatherings, a game day party dip, picnics, BBQ's and Parties.
The lightly salted Tortillas pair perfectly with the freshness of the vegetables and slightly acidic and subtly spiced salad.
The crispness of the pepper and other veggies make this a great snack!
I made this cowboy caviar for 3 weekends in a row. It is so easy to make! If you live in the UK, you know how hot it has been recently. I wasn’t about to turn any extra heat on and actually cook.
This cowboy caviar salad comes together quickly. It is a matter of chopping your veg, assembling and drizzling over that delicious dressing.
The dressing ingredients are Olive Oil, Lime, White Wine Vinegar, Sugar, Salt and Pepper, Garlic, Chilli Flakes and an optional sprinkling of Taco Seasoning.
recipe ingredients and notes
Here is what you need to know about the ingredients for this cowboy caviar recipe:
Black-Eyed Peas, Black Beans, Five Bean Salad
Any type of small Bean. This makes up the bulk of the dish. You can use other types of beans too as long as they are not too large.
Black Olives
Add a lot of flavour and umami. This is optional. I often forget to add this.
Jalapeño Peppers
I use pickled sliced peppers for a slightly spiced kick.
Peppers
Red Bell Pepper, Orange Bell Peppers, Green Bell Pepper or Yellow Bell Pepper for added crunch. Chop all the veg in small pieces.
Avocado
This adds a delicious creamy element. If you are making the salad ahead of time, leave this out and add it just before serving. It is not a traditional addition but I think it tastes better with the avocado. Again, this is optional.
Red Onion
I wouldn't sub these for white onions or spring onions.
Lime And Vinegar
Use Fresh Lime Juice. You can sub Lemon instead. We use White Wine Vinegar here but you can replace with Red Wine Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar.
Sugar
Use Light Brown Sugar, Honey or Maple Syrup.
Sweet corn
I used canned Corn. You can use fresh Corn or frozen defrosted kernels too.
Feta
Adds a delicious salty tang. This is not traditional either. I don’t always add it. It can be left out.
Olive Oil
This is the base of the dressing.
Tomato
Cherry tomatoes, grape Tomatoes, baby Plum tomatoes or Roma Tomatoes work best.
Coriander
For added freshness and flavour. This can be skipped if you prefer.
Tajin or Taco Seasoning
This is not essential but I love to just sprinkle a bit over.
Salt and Black Pepper
Garlic
Crushed Garlic, Garlic Powder or Garlic Granules.
Chilli
Powder or Flakes, for a little spice!
Nachos
Tortilla, Nacho Chips, Corn Chips to scoop up all the deliciousness.
how to make the best cowboy caviar salad
Dice all the fresh Veggies and combine with the rinsed Beans and Corn in a large mixing bowl.
Make the dressing, by whisking together the Sugar, Lime, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Salt and Pepper, Garlic, Chilli and Taco Seasoning together.
Drizzle over the dressing and toss to combine. Cover and chill until needed.
recipe tips
This salad will be a big hit as it is but to make this easy recipe even better, read our top tips below:
Fresh Vegetables - This salad is made up of lots of veggies so use crisp, fresh, firm veggies for the best results.
Tinned Beans and Veg - Drain the beans and corn well before adding them to the salad.
Italian dressing - This recipe can be made with a store brought Italian dressing. Use around 200 ml.
Avocado - If you are making it in advance, leave the Avocado out and add it in before serving making sure you mix it through thoroughly. It is an optional add in and can be left out if you prefer.
Make Ahead - Make it 1-2 hours before you need it - This Salad tastes better with a bit of time.
You can make the dressing up to 3 days in advance. The recipe can be assembled up to a day ahead.
Storage: This recipe keeps about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
flavour variations
This recipe is easily adaptable. You can chop it up and change it as you please:
Halloumi - You can grate over some Halloumi instead of the Feta.
Chicken - Serve with cooked chopped Chicken or Prawns on top/mixed in.
Seeds - Sprinkle over your favourite seeds.
Vegetables - Add chopped Cucumber and other Veggies you like.
Rice - Mix through to make a Rice Salad.
Pasta - Mix through to make a Pasta Salad.
Spices - Sprinkle over your favourite Spice mix.
Dressing - Use a bottled Italian dressing instead for ease.
servings
This Recipe serves between 8 - 12 as a side.
storage
This dip keeps well (covered) in the fridge for about 4 days.
make ahead
This recipe can be made in advance.
You can make the dressing up to a week in advance. Simply store in an airtight container/jar in the refrigerator.
You can assemble the full recipe (minus the avocado) up to 8 hours in advance. Just hold on the Avocado. Chop and add it just before serving.
what to serve with the best cowboy caviar salad
This salad work well as a side with:
Quesadillas
Tortilla Wraps
Burritos
Grilled Meats or any Meats such as Air Fryer Whole Chicken
FAQS
Why is it called cowboy caviar?
This is a tongue in cheek recipe name as the beans resemble caviar/fish eggs and the recipe originated in Texas which is known for it’s cowboy culture.
More easy salad recipes:
Roast Cauliflower Salad with Zingy dressing
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The best Texas Cowboy Caviar Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 Red Pepper diced
- 1 Green Pepper diced, or use another Red
- ½ Red Onion diced
- 10 slices Pickled Jalapenos diced
- 400 g Five Bean Salad from a tin, rinsed and drained or Black Beans
- 3 - 4 tablespoon Black Olives Slices optional
- 300 g Baby Plum Tomatoes seeded and chopped into small pieces
- 1 Avocado diced, optional
- 340 g Sweetcorn from a tin
- 50 g Feta diced, optional
- 3 tablespoon Coriander Leaves and Stems finely sliced
Dressing
- 3 Limes Juice only, or 2 small Lemons
- 85 g Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning/Tajin
- 3 tablespoon Light Brown Sugar or Honey
- ¾ teaspoon Chilli Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Granules
- Salt and Pepper
Other
- Nachos/Tortilla Chips To serve
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients for the Salad in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing by whisking together the Lime, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Taco Seasoning, Sugar, Chilli Flakes, Garlic, Salt and Pepper in a small bowl.
- Drizzle over the dressing and toss to combine. Cover and chill until needed.
Fatima says
This salad slaps!
Safira says
Glad you liked it Fatima. Thankyou