Chili Lime Cowboy Caviar is the BEST dip, salad or side dish! Vegan AND gluten free.
A great light and healthy snack, this Cowboy Caviar is a combination of a dip meets side salad meets a bean salsa all in one. You can also serve it like a salsa or Pico de Gallo! It was only fitting to pair this with my popular dressing from this Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad.
So easy to make, it’s just a matter of chopping up veggies and tossing everything together!
COWBOY CAVIAR
A bowl full of health! Black-eyed peas (also known as black-eye beans), black beans, sweet corn, grape tomatoes (or you can use cherry tomatoes or finely diced Roma tomatoes), peppers (capsicums) and avocados make this one incredibly fresh big bowl of flavours perfect for get togethers, pot lucks, barbecues, or anything you need it for. Mixed through with the best tasty dressing I created two years ago.
DRESSING
The dressing is so simple, yet filled with so many incredible flavours:
- olive oil
- fresh squeezed lime juice
- brown sugar (balances out the acidity of the lime juice. Substitute with honey if you wish).
- red chilli flakes
- cilantro (or substitute with parsley)
- garlic
- cumin
All of the ingredients combined together are sensational. Serve with corn chips or nacho chips to get that saltiness mixing through the tang and sweetness with every mouthful.
At first glance it may look like a Pico de Gallo or a loaded chunky salsa, but with one bite, you will no doubt become addicted and fall in love. Especially when dipping in your tortilla chips: the saltiness of chips combine with the sweetness of tomatoes, the crispness of the pepper, the kick of chili mixed through the subtle lime and garlic…pure heaven.
Make it anytime: for Easter, Christmas, game days or any day!
The smaller you chop your ingredients, the better it is. You want nice-sized mouthfuls to enjoy as a topping with your chips OR enjoy straight out of the bowl by the spoonfuls!
Everyone who tries this cowboy caviar falls head over heels and asks for it again and again… the bowl gets scraped clean in no time!
Looking for more side salad recipes? Try these!
Avocado Greek Salad & Greek Salad Dressing
Honey Dijon Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad
Corn Avocado Tomato Salad
Cowboy Caviar Video
Chili Lime Texas Caviar (Cowboy Caviar)
Ingredients
SALAD:
- 15 ounce (400 grams) can black eyed peas/beans rinsed and drained
- 15 ounce (400 grams) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounce (400 grams) can sweet corn rinsed and drained
- 1/2 red bell pepper (capsicum), finely diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper (capsicum), finely diced
- 1/2 a red onion, diced
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, , halved (or cherry tomatoes or 2 Roma tomatoes)
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- ⅓ cup Cilantro (or parsley), finely chopped
CHILI LIME DRESSING:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, (freshly chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon red chilli flakes, adjust to your preference of spice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
TO SERVE:
- Veggie sticks Nacho chips, Tortilla chips, etc
Instructions
- Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together to combine. Set aside.
- Whisk dressing ingredients together in a smaller bowl, until well combined.
- Pour dressing over salad, stir through, and serve with chips or veggie sticks.
Lex says
Delicious!!! Hits every flavor profile I love – fresh, limey, zesty, spicy, salty mhmmm
I can literally eat the entire bowl of this myself 😂
Laura says
I made it for a get together with my girlfriends and I can’t believe how well it went over. I served it with small tortilla chips and it was absolutely fantastic! I was looking for something gluten free and dairy free, and finally so happy to have something everyone could eat. Everyone had this recipe by the end of the night!
I used romano beans intead of black eye peas because I couldn’t find them and the creamy texture complimented the mix perfectly.
Jana says
I made this for a group of girlfriends. My husband looked at the finished product and said “no one likes that kinda of salad”. Well everyone loved it! My husband reluctantly took the leftovers from lunch. He came home and apologized because it was “spo good” and asked me to make it again. I love a good “I told you so”!!
Jennie says
Karina, thank you SO much for this recipe! Your Cowboy Caviar is a huge hit at our place. Just what we needed on a warm Vancouver day. It made for a great salad and/or soft tortilla filler.
My only tweak was doubling the brown sugar to compensate for unusually sour, pithy limes, and Roma tomatoes that weren’t as sweet as they ought to be.
Loving the delicious leftovers!
Lisa says
I seriously cannot get enough of this salad/dip.
Deauna G says
Made this for dinner tonight. The dressing is delicious! I almost ate the whole bowl by myself.
Kelly says
All your recipes sound and look delicious, but do you have ones that are more diabetic/low carb friendly?!!
Ken Easterling says
I love your recipes; I use many of them. I am from Texas and I make this one often because it is delicious on anything – like eggs! I do add a jalapeño or two, seeded and chopped.
Carole Holley says
Hi Karina first time visiting your site. I am going to try the texas caviar could you tell me how long it will last in the frig
Karina says
Hi Carole. It lasts up to 2-3 days without the avocado. The avocado does go brown the next day, but is still edible if you don’t mind the colour. The rest of the dip is fine 🙂
Jennifer says
Just made this and it is SO good! Thanks for all the great recipes. Every one I have tried has been great!
Rakib says
Looks Amazing! So Colourful and Spicey Salad. Really Love this. My Dinner is not testy without this Spicey Salad. Thank you so much for sharing with Us.
Pete Romfh says
Since I live in Texas this recipe is one of my favorites. I often take it to pot lucks or other “Bring a dish to share.” events. It is always big hit with our friends.