Texas Caviar

Texas caviar, also known as cowboy caviar, is a perfect appetizer for serving at summer parties or just snacking by all by yourself.  It’s quick and easy to make and is composed of ingredients that practically everyone will enjoy. 

But what exactly is Texas caviar?

Well, unlike its name might suggest there are no fish eggs involved.  And when compared to real caviar this is an extremely inexpensive dish.  Basically it’s a dip for chips that include two types of beans, sweet corn, red onion, bell peppers, and tomatoes.  All of this is then tossed in Italian dressing to help bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.  It’s simple, refreshing, and most importantly tasty!

Tips, Tricks & Suggestions

• While it’s generally agreed upon that Texas caviar must include beans, corn, onion, tomatoes, and bell peppers, you can also find versions with additional ingredients added to it.  Some of my favorite examples are diced avocados and minced green onions.
• Most recipes for texas caviar will use black-eyed peas along with one other type of bean.  That being said you can use any bean that you like whether it is navy beans, black beans, or even kidney beans.  It’s really up to you and your personal preference.
• This is meant to be a quick and easy dish to make so please refrain from cooking dried beans and just use canned beans.  Just make sure that you wash and drain the beans before using them.
• When it comes to cutting the tomatoes, I suggest that you use a bread knife.  The serrated edges will allow you to cut through the tomato without squashing it.  Also, the easiest way to deseed the tomatoes is to simply use a spoon to scoop them out.
• Check out some of our other favorite appetizer dishes for summer like summer squash fritters, southwestern style meatballs, or Caprese skewers.

Texas Caviar Recipe

Total time: 5 minutes

Servings: 16 people

Ingredients

1 15 oz Can of blackeyed peas, drained and washed

1 15 oz can of black beans, drained and washed

1 15 oz can of sweet corn, drained and washed

2 Roma tomatoes, deseeded and diced

1 Medium red onion, diced

1 Red bell pepper, deseeded and diced

1 Green bell pepper, deseeded and diced

1 Jalapeno, deseeded and minced 

½ Cup of cilantro, finely chopped

½ to 1 Cup of Italian dressing

Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Add everything except the Italian dressing to a large bowl.

2. Add in the ½ cup of Italian dressing and toss everything together.  Then taste the Texas caviar and add more dressing if you feel it needs it along with some salt & pepper.

3. Let the Texas caviar rest in your fridge for a couple of hours, or preferably overnight before digging in.  Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Texas Caviar Recipe

Total Time5 minutes mins

Servings: 16 people

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz Can of blackeyed peas drained and washed
• 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and washed
• 1 15 oz can of sweet corn drained and washed
• 2 Roma tomatoes deseeded and diced
• 1 Medium red onion diced
• 1 Red bell pepper deseeded and diced
• 1 Green bell pepper deseeded and diced
• 1 Jalapeno deseeded and minced
• ½ Cup of cilantro finely chopped
• ½ to 1 Cup of Italian dressing
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• Add everything except the Italian dressing to a large bowl
• Add in the ½ cup of Italian dressing and toss everything together. Then taste the Texas caviar and add more dressing if you feel it needs it along with some salt & pepper.
• Let the Texas caviar rest in your fridge for a couple of hours, or preferably overnight before digging in. Enjoy!