• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us

Tiffin And Tea logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
×
Home » Recipes » Dinner » Vegetarian Recipes

Published: Aug 11, 2022. Post Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Home » Recipes » Dinner » Vegetarian Recipes

The best Texas Cowboy Caviar Salad

Sharing is caring!

102 shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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.

Cowboy caviar in a plate with nachos

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.

Red Onion 

I wouldn't sub these for white onions or spring onions.

Lemon, Lime And Vinegar 

Use Fresh Juice. 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. 

Corn and Beans in a bowl

Peppers added to bowl of Vegetables

Olives and red onions added to bowl

Feta and coriander added to veg bowl

Make the dressing, by whisking together the Sugar, Lime, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Salt and Pepper, Garlic, Chilli and Taco Seasoning together.

Dressing ingredients in a bowl

Drizzle over the dressing and toss to combine. Cover and chill until needed.

Cowboy caviar salad in an oval dish

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:

Crunch Wraps

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

The Best Vegan Salad Recipe

**if you make and enjoy this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating. Please tag us on instagram. We love to see your creations and your feedback helps us to shape future content! we love to hear from you. Thankyou!

Cowboy caviar salad in a bowl

Cowboy Caviar Salad in a large oval dish with Nachos

The best Texas Cowboy Caviar Salad

Safira
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!
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Sides
Cuisine Midwestern, Texas
Servings 5
Calories 278 kcal

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 chopped into small pieces
  • 1 Avocado diced, optional
  • 340 g Sweetcorn from a tin
  • 100 - 200 g Feta diced, optional
  • 3 tablespoon Coriander Leaves and Stems finely sliced

Dressing

  • 2 Lemons Juice only, or 3 small Limes
  • 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.

Notes

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:
Crunch Wraps
Quesadillas
Tortilla Wraps
Burritos
Grilled Meats or any Meats such as Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 1900mgPotassium: 530mgFiber: 9gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 2693IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Cowboy caviar salad, Easy Cowboy caviar salad, Midwestern Cowboy caviar salad, Quick Cowboy caviar salad, Texas Cowboy caviar salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Global Recipes

  • Cooked Lamb Curry with Potatoes in pot
    Aloo Gosht – Traditional Pakistani Lamb & Potato Curry
  • Yemeni Lahsa in pan
    Yemeni Lahsa – Creamy Cheesy Eggs
  • Mujadara with caramlised onions on top
    Mujadara - Lebanese Rice and Lentils with Caramelised Onions
  • Shorbat adas with fried samosa leaves on top
    Shorbat Adas - Ramadan Lentil Soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Fatima says

    January 05, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars
    This salad slaps!

    Reply
    • Safira says

      January 05, 2023 at 4:21 pm

      Glad you liked it Fatima. Thankyou

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Picture of site owner Safira

hey...I’m safira! I share accessible Global Recipes as well as Baking recipes for home cooks. One of my passions is to teach home cooks to become more confident in the kitchen and this comes with time and experience.

More about me →

Recipes

Footer

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Browse Recipes

  • Recipes

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Tiffin and Tea

102 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.