Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Introduction
Cowboy Caviar is a vibrant, fresh salad packed with colorful vegetables, beans, and a zesty dressing. It’s perfect as a side dish, dip, or a light meal that’s both healthy and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 6 Roma tomatoes (seeded and diced, about 3½ cups)
- 14.5 ounces yellow corn (drained)
- 15.25 ounces black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 avocados (peeled, seeded, and diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeded and diced, about 1½ cups)
- 1 orange bell pepper (seeded and diced, about 1½ cups)
- 1 jalapeño (seeded and finely diced)
- ½ cup red onion (finely diced, about ½ medium onion)
- ½ cup sweet yellow onion (finely diced, about ½ medium onion)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic (minced)
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, yellow corn, black beans, diced avocados, red and orange bell peppers, jalapeño, red and sweet yellow onions, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and lime juice. Stir gently until all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper until well blended.
- Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture. Stir carefully until the dressing is fully incorporated and the salad is evenly coated.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, remove all seeds from the jalapeño or substitute with a sweeter pepper.
- Add black olives or diced cucumber for extra texture and flavor.
- Serve with tortilla chips as a hearty dip, or over greens for a refreshing salad.
- Use fresh lime juice rather than bottled for the best brightness.
Storage
Store cowboy caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent the avocados from browning, stir the salad gently before serving and add the avocados just before eating if possible. Reheat is not recommended; enjoy chilled for best flavor and texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make cowboy caviar ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare most of the salad in advance, but it’s best to add the avocados right before serving to keep them fresh and prevent browning.
What can I serve with cowboy caviar?
Cowboy caviar pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips as a dip, alongside grilled meats, or as a colorful addition to salads and wraps.
PrintCowboy Caviar Recipe
Cowboy Caviar is a vibrant and refreshing no-cook salad featuring a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, beans, and a tangy dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light snack, this wholesome recipe combines diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, avocados, bell peppers, onions, jalapeño, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a zesty lime and red wine vinegar dressing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 Roma tomatoes (seeded and diced, about 3½ cups)
- 14.5 ounces yellow corn (drained)
- 15.25 ounces black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 avocados (peeled, seeded, and diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeded and diced, about 1½ cups)
- 1 orange bell pepper (seeded and diced, about 1½ cups)
- 1 jalapeño (seeded and finely diced)
- ½ cup red onion (finely diced, about ½ medium-sized red onion)
- ½ cup sweet yellow onion (finely diced, about ½ medium-sized onion)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic (minced)
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced tomatoes, drained corn, rinsed black beans, diced avocados, diced red and orange bell peppers, finely diced jalapeño, red and yellow onions, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and lime juice. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly combined, being careful not to mash the avocados.
- Make the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper until the mixture is well incorporated and slightly emulsified.
- Toss the Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Gently stir just until everything is well coated and combined, ensuring the flavors meld without breaking down the ingredients.
Notes
- For best flavor, chill the Cowboy Caviar for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to marinate.
- Adjust the jalapeño quantity to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Serve as a dip with tortilla chips, a topping for grilled meats, or as a side salad.
- Use fresh, ripe avocados to ensure creamy texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; however, texture might soften over time due to the avocado.
Keywords: cowboy caviar, black bean salad, no-cook salad, avocado salad, healthy side dish, southwestern salad, bean dip
