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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Appetizers / Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 7/26/23Updated: 1/07/25

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

white bowl full of cowboy caviar

Cowboy Caviar is a classic dip made with a colorful mix of black beans, corn, tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, avocado and dressed with a zesty Italian dressing.

white bowl full of cowboy caviar

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Cowboy Caviar goes by a lot of names such as Texas Caviar, black bean salsa, or Southwestern bean dip.  No matter what you call it, this classic dip should make frequent appearances at your summer cookouts.

It the perfect addition to your tailgate party, neighborhood barbecues and potlucks, Memorial Day cookout, the 4th of July or any holiday!

I love that it is pantry friendly so you can enjoy it any time, all year long. It does involve a few minutes of chopping – tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and green onions but it comes together quickly and it will disappear from the bowl just as fast! It tastes amazing.

bowl of cowboy  caviar
with a spoon in it

Ingredients Needed

  • Corn. Use canned corn or you can use fresh corn that has been cooked and cut off the cob.
  • Black Beans, drained. You could also use pinto beans or black -eyed peas.
  • Roma Tomatoes. You can also use cherry tomatoes cut in half.
  • Avocado
  • Green Onions
  • Cilantro
  • Lime
  • Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
ingredients on a cookie sheet for cowboy caviar
close up photo of cowboy caviar in a white bowl

How To Make Cowboy Caviar

  • Drain and rinse canned black beans and corn.
  • Cut tomatoes and remove the seeds.
  • Chop cilantro and green onions.
chopping veggies for cowboy caviar
  • Combine corn, beans, tomatoes, green onion and cilantro in a large bowl and stir to combine.
  • Add lime juice and dressing.
adding salad dressing to cowboy caviar
  • Refrigerate.
  • Dice avocado and add to the bowl just before serving
overhead shot of cowboy caviar with an avocado by the bowl
  • Serve cold with tortilla chips.

Tips

  • Make ahead and refrigerate it before serving so all the flavors can meld together. 
  • Hold off adding the avocado until right before you serve it to prevent any browning.
  • For variations, add in chopped bell pepper, red onion, olives or garlic.
  • Add a sprinkle of Feta cheese on top for additional flavor.
  • If you like a little heat, add some diced jalapeno pepper to it.
spoonful of cowboy caviar

Pair This With:

  • Guacamole
  • Blender Salsa Verde
  • Chili Con Queso
  • Cream Cheese Corn Dip
  • Fiesta Ranch Dip
  • Roasted Corn Salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different kind of dressing?

Absolutely, if you have a favorite vinaigrette style dressing use it or make your own from scratch at home.

How long will cowboy caviar last?

Kept stored in an airtight container in the fridge it will last 3-4 days.

Can I use fresh corn on the cob instead of canned?

Absolutely, you can use it raw or cooked. My favorite way to use it though is roasted and then cut off the cob.

bowl of cowboy caviar on the table

Check out more delicious recipes:

  • Cowboy Cookies
  • Texas Sheet Cake
  • White Texas Sheet Cake
  • Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two {Texas Sheet Cake}
  • Lemon Sheet Cake

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

5 from 1 vote

Cowboy Caviar

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Cowboy Caviar, Texas Caviar, black bean salsa, or Southwestern bean dip, no matter what you call this dip, it is always a crowd favorite! 
serves: 16 servings
Prep:10 minutes minutes
Cook:0 minutes minutes
0 minutes minutes
Total:10 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 15 oz corn drained
  • 15 oz black beans rinsed and drained
  • 5 roma tomatoes seeds removed and diced
  • 1 bunch green onions chopped
  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped
  • 1 cup Zesty Italian salad dressing
  • 1 lime
  • 1 avocado chopped

Instructions

  • Combine corn, beans, tomatoes, green onion and cilantro. Stir to combine
  • Add juice of lime and dressing
  • Just before serving add avocado
  • Serve cold with chips

Tips & Notes:

  • Make ahead and refrigerate it before serving so all the flavors can meld together. 
  • Hold off adding the avocado until right before you serve it to prevent any browning.
  • For variations, add in chopped bell pepper, red onion, olives or garlic.
  • Add a sprinkle of Feta cheese on top for additional flavor.
  • If you like a little heat, add some diced jalapeno pepper to it.

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Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 71kcal (4%) Carbohydrates: 11g (4%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 2g (3%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 3mg Potassium: 229mg (7%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 299IU (6%) Vitamin C: 7mg (8%) Calcium: 11mg (1%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Appetizer
Cuisine:American
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Erin says

    Posted on 7/8 at 12:01 pm

    Do you use a whole bottle of dressing? It seems like it would be overpowering? Maybe not? I trust your judgement…

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 7/11 at 7:43 am

      I usually use about 3/4 of it -the last time I made it I put in two cans of black beans and two cans of corn so I used the whole bottle. You can just put it in until it is the consistency you like.

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        Posted on 7/19 at 10:36 am

        How big is the salad dressing bottle are you using?

        Reply
  2. Brittany says

    Posted on 3/14 at 3:42 pm

    I just came across this and it looks great! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
  3. lynn says

    Posted on 12/29 at 11:41 pm

    Oooh, I must try this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Judi says

    Posted on 7/30 at 1:02 pm

    I love this…….I like mine with a kick so I add a jar of jalapenos with the juice…
    I also put in a can of kidney beans as well as the black beans…it’s great on burgers too!

    Reply
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