The Best Cowboy Caviar

Name: The Best Cowboy Caviar
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained; 1 cup frozen corn, thawed; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1 red onion, finely chopped; 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced; 1/3 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; Salt and black pepper to taste

A colorful and refreshing bean salad that works perfectly as a chunky dip or a healthy side dish.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Total

1 hour 20 minutes

Serves

Cowboy Caviar is one of my favorite things to bring to a summer cookout. It is packed with hearty beans, crunchy vegetables, and a bright dressing that ties everything together beautifully. Everyone always asks for the recipe after the first bite because it is just so fresh and addictive.

My biggest tip for this one is to let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This gives the dressing a chance to soak into the beans and corn, making every spoonful taste even better. It keeps well for days, so it is perfect for meal prep too.

🧺 Ingredients

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, black eyed peas, corn, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeño.
2
In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, sugar, chili powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3
Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss everything gently to coat.
4
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
5
Serve chilled with your favorite tortilla chips or as a side dish with grilled chicken.

💡 Tips

Serve this with sturdy corn tortilla chips so they do not break in the dip. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. If the salad seems a bit dry after a day or two, just add a fresh squeeze of lime juice.

#Vegetarian #Vegan #Gluten Free #Healthy #Dip #Summer Salad

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