Cowboy Caviar is also lovingly known as Texas Caviar. It's a zesty and easy recipe that's full of your favorite veggies and is made with a tangy vinegar dressing. It's a healthy vegan dip, salsa or salad topping.

Overhead view of cowboy caviar in a blue bowl showing corn, beans and more veggies all waiting to be dipped with a chip.

Full of fresh vegetables, beans, corn, and a tangy red wine vinegar dressing, this cowboy caviar recipe is a hit in our household — and with all of our friends.

Plus, it’s ready to serve in minutes.

This delicious recipe is also called “Texas caviar” and it is the perfect companion for any get-together.

👩🏻‍🍳 What is Texas caviar

Texas caviar is commonly referred to as a salad or a dip. It can be used as a condiment on things like sandwiches, salads, and bean burgers or can be eaten as a dip on chips, crackers etc.

But it is also splendid to eat by itself. It is extremely versatile and one of the easiest dishes to make. Just like this Loaded Black Bean Salad recipe you can also have it as a side dish with no problem.

The dressing adds a zestiness to the dip, all while the vegetables remain crunchy. It’s the perfect mix.

To make Texas caviar, you simply chop, pour, stir and chill.

Overhead view of three bowls full of this Texas caviar recipe and a bowl of tortilla strips on the side.

🍅 Cowboy caviar health benefits

If the rainbow of colors don't have you hooked on this recipe, the flavor will.

At our house, we make a batch of this Cowboy Caviar recipe as our go-to snack (and sometimes even lunch) for the week. This recipe makes so much, you don’t have to worry about running out in one sitting.

What’s in Texas caviar? Boundless goodness.

But really, there are so many beneficial ingredients in this dip, that I don’t ever feel bad eating it multiple times a day.

This dip is full of beans — black beans and black-eyed peas. These nutrient-dense beans are full of fiber and protein.

It's great getting to have a recipe where you can add black-eyed peas. They are overlooked way too much.

They’re also a great source of iron and manganese. If you’re looking for an energy boost throughout your day, this dip is the perfect solution.

Just look at all of these beautiful ingredients.

All of the ingredients for a great vegetable dip and dressing are laid out on a wooden cutting board.

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants — perfect to fuel your immune system and rid your body of free radicals.
Compared to other vegetables, corn is also high in protein — making this cowboy caviar especially great for vegetarians, vegans, and people looking to add more protein into their diets.
Increased eye health and reduced risks of several chronic diseases are only a couple of benefits that come from eating red and green bell peppers.
Eating red onions comes with its benefits too — they contain fiber, folic acid, and vitamin B which helps the body make new cells.
Rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and carotene — an antioxidant that may help fight cell damage — jalapeños add a kick and added benefits to your diet.

Overhead view of each ingredient pared and diced and in their own small bowl.

This cowboy caviar dip is the perfect healthy dish to bring along to any summer picnic — your family and friends will be asking for it on every occasion after the first bite.

💭 FAQ's

How long does Cowboy caviar keep

Texas caviar typically does well in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Can you add avocado to this salad

Yes, you can. Although Texas Caviar typically does not call for avocado, it is an excellent addition to the dip. Simply chop an avocado and add it into the dip right before serving to keep it from discoloring.

I like the flavors, but I don’t like spice — can I omit the jalapeno

Jalapenos are pretty darn good and add a lot but you can sure omit them if you aren’t a fan of the heat that it brings, consider adding a quarter of the amount called for in the recipe and add more in as desired.

I don’t have red wine vinegar, what can I use instead?

If you don’t have any red wine vinegar on hand, you could substitute apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or lime juice.

One bite of dip on a chip and being held up close to the lens.

📋 Making the dressing

You can't beat the simplicity and special flavors using lime along with red wine vinegar. Just mix all of the ingredients together in the measurements called for in the recipe card.

Extra virgin olive oil has deep rich flavors that are perfect for an addition to a vinegar dressing.
Red wine vinegar is richer than white vinegar and works well with bean salads.
Lime juice is such a nice alternative to lemon and offers a milder dressing.
Ground cumin gives a little bit of a spicy twist.
Salt and pepper are the perfect seasonings.

The mixed dressing is in a white bowl sitting in front of corn, black eyes peas and squeezed lime.

📖 Cowboy caviar dip serving suggestions

Try it as a side, or as a topping on these wonderful Black Bean Burgers.
Serve it alongside any of your favorite tacos and especially with this Crispy Tenders Meatless Tacos recipe.
How about making it a lunch and have some delicious Focaccia Bread on the side.

Three full bowls angled towards the camera and filled with fresh veggies for a dip or cold side.

Closeup bowl filled with beans and diced veggies and glistening with a rich vinegar dressing.

📋 Recipe