Description
Cowboy Caviar is a vibrant and crunchy black bean and corn salad bursting with fresh flavors. Perfect as a snack, side dish, or dip, this recipe combines black beans, black eyed peas, sweet corn, and fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty lime and red wine vinegar dressing. Ready in under five hours including marinating, it’s a colorful, healthy addition to any meal or party.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 15 ounces black beans (1 can, rinsed and drained)
- 15 ounces black eyed peas (1 can, rinsed and drained)
- 1 ½ cups sweet corn (frozen, thawed)
- 1 red pepper (chopped)
- 1-2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and chopped)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes (halved, drained if necessary)
- ¼ cup green onion (sliced)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (finely chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 1 avocado (diced, optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from about 1 lime, plus more as desired)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Serving
- 1 box crackers (optional)
- 1 package tortilla chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, black pepper, kosher salt, ground cumin, and optional chili powder until well combined to create the flavorful Cowboy Caviar dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the rinsed and drained black beans, black eyed peas, thawed sweet corn, chopped red pepper, and seeded and chopped jalapeno peppers. Pour the dressing over these ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the halved grape tomatoes, sliced green onions, and finely chopped fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.
- Serve: Serve the Cowboy Caviar chilled with diced avocado on top, accompanied by crackers and tortilla chips for dipping as desired.
Notes
- This Cowboy Caviar works wonderfully as both a crunchy salad or a colorful corn chip dip.
- Adjust the number of jalapeno peppers according to your preferred spice level.
- The avocado is optional but adds a creamy texture that complements the crunchy ingredients.
- For best flavor, allow the salad to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Use fresh lime juice rather than bottled for the best zesty taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 279 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 271 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
