Cowboy Caviar—it’s like a fiesta in a bowl, bursting with vibrant colors and textures that make your taste buds do a little happy dance. Imagine scooping up this chunky, zesty concoction, a mix of beans, corn, and fresh veggies, all tied together with a tangy dressing that might just become your new obsession (or maybe it already is? ).
Perfect for those spontaneous picnics or just a late-night snack, it’s a dish that feels like a summer day even in the depths of winter—like, remember last winter when everyone was binge-watching The Last of Us? This would have been the perfect snack!
Steps
- Dice the Roma tomatoes, avocados, red onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño, removing seeds from the tomatoes and jalapeño. Ensure the pieces are small, roughly the size of beans.
- Rinse and drain the canned black beans and black-eyed peas, then add them to a large bowl along with the diced vegetables and thawed corn kernels.
- Chop fresh cilantro and add it to the mixture, stirring everything together to combine well.
- In another bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the mixed ingredients and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Refrigerate the cowboy caviar until ready to serve, and mix again before serving if not eaten immediately. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.
Ingredients
- 3 Roma tomatoes, seeds removed, diced
- 2 avocados, diced
- ? cup red onion, diced
- 15 ounces canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces canned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups corn kernels, thawed
- 1 bell pepper, any color, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely diced
- ? cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Tortilla chips for serving
- ? cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar, granulated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1712 | Carbohydrates: 184g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 88g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 1984mg | Potassium: 3920mg | Fiber: 64g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 4680IU | Vitamin C: 183.2mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 16.8mg
FAQ
- What is Cowboy Caviar and what makes it special?
- Cowboy Caviar is a fresh and simple dip that can be prepared in less than 15 minutes. It’s a versatile side dish that complements picnics, potlucks, or parties, and is a fantastic way to use up summer produce. The combination of fresh ingredients like tomatoes, avocados, and peppers, along with a tangy dressing, makes it a flavorful and crowd-pleasing dish.
- How do you prepare the ingredients for Cowboy Caviar?
- To make Cowboy Caviar, you need to finely dice the tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, and jalapeño. It’s recommended to keep the pieces small, approximately the size of beans, for the best texture. Avocados can be easily cut by slicing them in half, scoring them with a knife, and scooping out the pieces with a spoon.
- Can Cowboy Caviar be made ahead of time?
- Yes, Cowboy Caviar can be prepared ahead of time. If not serving immediately, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving to ensure the flavors are well combined.
- What should I serve with Cowboy Caviar?
- Cowboy Caviar is typically served with tortilla chips, but it is also delicious when eaten directly with a spoon. Its versatility means it can be paired with various other dishes or enjoyed on its own as a refreshing snack.
- Is there a specific way to store leftover Cowboy Caviar?
- Leftover Cowboy Caviar should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If using frozen corn, it can be added directly to the salad as it thaws quickly, especially if you plan to eat the dish soon after preparation.
Tips
- Dice Ingredients Small: For the best cowboy caviar, ensure you finely dice the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and other vegetables. Keeping them small enhances the texture and allows for an even mix of flavors.
- Use a Chopper: To simplify the process of dicing the vegetables, consider using a vegetable chopper. This tool can quickly and evenly cut tomatoes and other ingredients into the perfect size.
- Prepare Avocado Easily: When preparing the avocado, slice it in half, score it into small pieces with a knife, and then scoop it out with a spoon. This method makes it easier to get evenly sized pieces.
- Mix Before Serving: If you prepare the cowboy caviar in advance, ensure you toss it thoroughly before serving to redistribute the dressing and refresh the flavors.
Equipment
- Vegetable chopper or food chopper – Useful for dicing tomatoes, onions, peppers, and jalapeños efficiently and uniformly.
- Large mixing bowl – To combine all the ingredients together.
- Whisk – To mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly.
- Serving bowl – For presenting the Cowboy Caviar.
