This easy cowboy caviar recipe is the best way to get use out of your leftover summer produce. The melding of vegetables, black eyed peas, vinegar and orange juice make this cowboy caviar dip quite unique!
I first tried cowboy caviar when I lived in Austin, Texas. I would buy huge volumes of it at Central Market. I loved it so much that I eventually studied the label and made my own version at home! My cowboy caviar recipe includes jicama, which is a little unusual, but it was my favorite ingredient in the Central Market cowboy caviar and everyone loves its sweet crunch.
Serve this yummy salsa as a dip with chips, a topping on a steak or in a salad, this recipe for cowboy caviar is something worth perfecting to add flavor to any meal. I always make this for summer parties, and then I eat any leftovers straight out of the bowl for the next few days. For more bean-y dips and salads, try Chickpea Salad, or this easy Bean and Corn Salsa.
Key Cowboy Caviar Ingredients
- Black eyed peas are generally easy to find in the canned bean aisle. Whatever you do, do NOT get seasoned black eyed peas because sometimes they are seasoned with bacon and this will drastically alter the end result and flavor of the dish.
- Corn: Fresh, frozen, or grilled (if you’ve got leftover grilled corn, there is no better way to use it up than making cowboy caviar!). FYI One ear of fresh corn equals about ¾ cup kernels.
- Bell peppers: Go for all the colors to make a dip people will eat with their eyes first!
- Jicama: Sweet and crunchy, jicama is a root veggie that adds a really satisfying texture to cowboy caviar. If it’s hard to find, it’s OK to skip it though.
- Jalapeños: For a delicious heat that’s not too spicy, take care to get the seeds out.
- Cilantro leaves: If you hate cilantro, leave it out or swap in a parsley.
- Onion: Both red and green onions make this colorful and delicious.
- Orange juice: You’ll need 2 oranges
- Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil for a little oomph, and vegetable oil to keep things light.
- Vinegar: I love the sweet and delicate flavor of seasoned rice wine vinegar
Variations + Add Ins
- Use a different bean! Black beans, cannellini beans or navy beans all work well instead of black eyed peas!
- Add diced avocado for an extra dose of cooling creaminess.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice for additional tang.
- Use grilled corn for even more flavor!
- Double the jalapeños for even more spicy treat or
- Leave out the jalapeños for a milder dip.
How To Store Cowboy Caviar
The best part about this recipe is that the flavors only get better once they have some time to meld. Cowboy caviar keeps 3-4 days in the refrigerator, so it’s a great make ahead dish for parties! Though you can eat it right away, make it a few hours before serving to get the best flavor possible out of your cowboy caviar recipe. If you do make it ahead, stir your cowboy caviar before serving to freshen up the flavors and redistribute the dressing. Leftover cowboy caviar doesn’t freeze well.
What To Serve With Cowboy Caviar
- Try serving it with grilled chicken similar to our Grilled Chicken Thighs with Succotash
- Classic Coleslaw
- Fruit Salad
- Classic Potato Salad
- Queso Dip
- 3 Bean Salad
- We’ve also rounded up 30 Best Summer Side Dishes to help you win the side dish game.
More Corn-y, Bean-y Salads
Where Are You Eating Your Cowboy Caviar?
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