Cowboy Caviar (Printable Version)

Vibrant, zesty salad featuring beans, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. Great as a dip, side, or topping for mains.

# What You Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 (15 oz) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
04 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
09 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
12 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
16 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make:

01 - In a large bowl, combine black beans, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, corn, red onion, bell peppers, jalapeño, and cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture. Gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Serve chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips or as a side salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect for prep-ahead gatherings
  • The combination of crisp vegetables and creamy beans creates this satisfying texture that keeps people coming back for just one more bite
02 -
  • Resist the urge to skip the chilling time because those 60 minutes transform this from a bean salad into something truly special
  • Drain the canned beans really well, otherwise the dressing becomes thin and watery instead of coating everything beautifully
03 -
  • Use cherry tomatoes instead of large ones because they hold their shape better and do not make the salad watery
  • If you are serving a crowd that loves heat, add a second jalapeño or a splash of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing
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