Cowboy Caviar Recipe (VIDEO)
This Cowboy Caviar is wonderfully fresh, healthy, simple, and loaded. It’s popular for good reason and we make this salsa all year long. It makes a big batch so it is an ideal potluck or party appetizer.
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This cowboy caviar (a.k.a. Texas Caviar) always disappears fast! Annie, my classmate from nursing school, shared this cowboy caviar recipe with me years ago and it has become one of our all-time favorite party appetizers. It’s right up there with Spinach Artichoke Dip and Guacamole!
Cowboy Caviar Video Tutorial:
Watch the video tutorial and see just how easy it is to make this bean salsa. If you enjoy our videos, please subscribe to our youtube channel and click the bell icon so you will be the first to know when we post a new video!
What is Cowboy Caviar (a.k.a. Texas Caviar)?
Cowboy Caviar, also known as “Texas caviar,” is a salsa appetizer. It’s like a Pico De Gallo salsa, but more exciting because it’s beefed up with beans, avocado, and corn.
This dip/salsa is unique because it has a vinaigrette-style dressing (we use Italian dressing to keep it super simple).
Cowboy Caviar Salsa Ingredients:
This cowboy caviar salsa is so colorful, loaded and satisfying.
- Tomatoes – Fresh tomatoes are tastiest in season, but the beauty of this salsa is it can be made all year long.
- Beans – We love home-cooked beans or canned black beans or black-eyed peas. Be sure they are rinsed and well-drained. We often interchange these two beans based on what we have on hand and either one works great.
- Corn – During the winter months, we use canned or frozen corn and in the summer months we add freshly cooked Corn on the Cob.
- Avocado – Adds an irresistible creaminess. I’ve been known to sneak in extra avocado.
- Bell Pepper – we have used red, orange, yellow, and even green bell pepper. Any kind will work.
- Jalapenos – Don’t be intimidated by the jalapeños – the Italian dressing mellows it out and even the kids love it!
- Italian Dressing – this surprising ingredient infuses every bite with incredible flavor. We love Newmans Own brand, but you can use your favorite one or Homemade Italian Dressing.
- Limes, garlic, and salt – Use fresh lime juice and garlic for the best flavor
Time-Saving Tip: we use our favorite food chopper for cutting up the tomatoes, jalapenos, avocado, onion, and bell pepper. It can cut the prep time in half.
How to Make Cowboy Caviar:
- Chop the fresh ingredients: tomatoes, avocados, onion, jalapenos, bell pepper, cilantro, and mince the garlic
- Rinse and Drain Black beans and drain corn well if using canned.
- Combine all ingredients in the mixing bowl, add Italian dressing, lemon juice, and salt. Stir to combine then enjoy.
It really is that easy. You can make it several hours ahead and leftovers are still great the next day.
How to Serve Texas Caviar:
We always serve Cowboy Caviar with tortilla chips as an appetizer but it can be served as a topping for beef tacos, burritos, nachos, or served as a salad. My husband and I often skip dinner and just make a big batch of this bean salsa in the evening.
Cowboy Caviar is a keeper of a recipe. Make this once and you will make it again and again.
More Salsa Recipes:
- Ceviche – we are obsessed with this shrimp salsa
- Pico De Gallo – with our secret for authentic flavor
- Mango Salsa with Avocado – perfect on everything
- Fresh Peach salsa – perfect as an appetizer or topping
- Roasted Tomato Salsa – we stockpile this in the freezer
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 bell bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 2 jalapeño peppers seeded and finely diced
- 1 large avocado peeled, pitted and diced
- 15 oz can corn drained (or from 1 cooked cob of corn)
- 15 oz can black beans well rinsed and drained (or make your own)
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro About 1/2 cup chopped
- 3-4 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup light Italian Dressing *
- 4 medium garlic cloves pressed
- 1 tsp sea salt or to taste
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, chopped onion and bell pepper, seeded and diced jalapeño, sliced avocado, drained corn, rinsed and drained black beans and chopped cilantro.
-
Stir in 3-4 Tbsp of lime juice, 1/2 cup of Italian dressing, 4 pressed garlic cloves and 1 tsp of salt or season to taste. Mix everything together and serve with tortilla chips.
Recipe Notes
We use either Newmans Own or Olive Garden brand light Italian dressing.
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I am one of those people that can’t abide cilantro. Can I use a little ground cumin instead? Love your videos!
Hi Ginny, I haven’t tried cummin yet but others used parsley and liked it!
Very good! We love it! But I used drained Pinto beans, black olives & shredded cheese. Yum!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Bev!
I love dark red kidney beans. Do you think it would taste good if I substituted them for the black beans & left out the jalapeño?
Hi Sandy, I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
My sister and I made this recipe today. It was so good! We loved it! Our family loved it as well. It was a hit! It definitely made a lot! But we used it, to top on top of our nachos. It was great! Thanks for the recipe Natasha!
You are very welcome! Thank you for sharing your great feedback with us.
I have made this maybe twice and I love it, but it makes a lot and I am the only one that eats it so I would cut the recipe in half.
All I can say is WOW! I added the second avocado and the full 4 Tbs of lime juice. Absolutely delicious!!! I served it with my chicken enchiladas and honey corn bread and my husband and two grown boys said it was the best dinner ever!!!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Rill!
Fantastic
Thank you, Tina!
I’m making this for tomorrow evening. Would you suggest holding off adding the lime juice & dressing until tomorrow?
I have the rest of the ingredients together already.
Hi Cindy, I would add the lime juice and dressing which would preserve the avocado and help to keep it from turning color.
I made this for my NYE get together with my sisters and their families! And all I can say is wow! I served as an appetizer and we pretty much ate the whole thing instead of dinner! Thank you for another great recipe!
You’re welcome, Yvonne! We like to do the same with this meal! It’s so hard not to eat it in one setting!
2020 was a pretty rough year for most of us. But finding your kitchen was one of the real treats for our family this year. So many great recipes and so much fun watching you and your family bring laughter and joy to others while we work from home. Learned a lot about cooking too. All the best in 2021!
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Bill. I’m so happy you discovered our blog.
This is so good we included it in our Christmas meal. Thank you
You’re welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha, any alternative for the dressing?
Hi Anna, I always use Italian dressing. You could make a homemade one (we have one on our site), or use more lemon or lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Italian dressing has the best flavor.
What’s your recipe for Italian Oil dressing?
Hi Thomas, we have our Italian Dressing Recipe HERE.
i tried it it is so nice thanks natasha
Thanks for sharing, Sara. I’m glad you liked it!
This was incredible, we loved it as a dip and even ate it as a salad! Such a versatile recipe.
Hi Lily, thank you so much for your great comments and feedback!
This looks so delicious and yummy! My husband is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this!
Please let us know how it goes. I hope you’ll both love this!
Who needs the tortilla chips?! I can totally just eat this with a spoon. So good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, this is amazing! My family couldn’t get enough of it, especially BIL who’s a picky eater lol Should have doubled the recipe. Thank you!
That’s just awesome Pan! It sounds like you found a new favorite!
Have made this 3 times already. Very good however my family likes it better sans the dressing. Great way to use garden fresh veggies! Thank you for another great recipe!
Thank you for sharing that great review with me Patricia! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
HI Natasha,
Made your cowboy caviar & Italian pasta recipes this weekend and as always like other recipes of yours they were delicious! Always looking forward to trying another recipe. Thanks again!
Karen
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Karen!
Thank you so much for your great feedback, Karen. We appreciate you sharing it with us.
That is some good looking salsa, but the Cowboy Caviar name threw me a bit.
I’ve always known Cowboy Caviar as another name for Rocky Mountain oysters, Prairie oysters, Calf fries which are a Western delicacy to some. I love’em. Bet that salsa would go great with them.
I hope you love this salsa Bill! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Love, love, love this!!! I actually had it with tortilla chips for dinner tonight. I had just this but can see it pairing well with any kind of meat or fish. I really like when something so delicious is nutritious too. This is going to be my new potluck signature dish.Thanks, Natasha for another winning recipe
One of our favorites! I’m so happy you liked this recipe!
Made this today for a 4th of July/birthday party celebration and we absolutely love it! Thank you for all of your recipes and videos
You’re welcome, Kim! Happy 4th of July!
OMG THE BEST thing ever!! This was so good and because I’m greedy and love avocado I added 2 lol. It was sweet from the corn, tangbfrom the lime, creamy from the avocado, you have the sweetness from the red bell pepper. We have Vidalia onions here in Florida. This will be my go too. I loved everything about this!! 10 stars
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that great review with me Carol!
I have had this dish before but could not find my recipe. I looked over several an decided yours had most of the ingredients I had on hand. I think I ate a quarter of it before dinner. It was a hit!!! I have printed it off an made several notes….it won’t be lost.
I’m so happy you found and enjoyed this recipe!
Been making this for years,, everyone loves it,,,, I don’t put avocado in mine, my husband doesn’t like it,, but the longer it sits, the better it tastes!
Sounds great, Sue. I’m glad you still liked it without the avocado. Thanks for sharing and giving this recipe a good review!
Awesome, quick and easy! Really fresh and delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
I make this but I use canned black eyed peas rinsed and drain
I hope you loved it with that. Thank you for sharing that with me!
How do I access info on cooking utensils, etc you use while cooking.
Mobile UTube site doesnt show arrows to click.
Great, easy recipes. Yum yum!!!
Hi Charlotte, our favorite tools can be found in our blog shop and our Amazon shop here.
This looks awesome. We were recently at MD Anderson for a time and the adjoining hotel made something like this every night tossed with Ken’s dressing. They placed it next to a large bowl of salad greens. I used to put it on top of my greens and sprinkle with shredded cheese and croutons. It was wonderful. I am anxious to try your version.
That is interesting! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Hope everything went well for you at Anderson. We spent 5 years of our lives there. Wonderful place. My husband would not be alive today without them.
I have a question – 149 calories and it feeds 10 people. Why not tell us what volume/size/cup/ounces in a serving? Are you secretly a math teacher? I’d love to taste this but am weary.
Hi Jan, it does make a very large bowl of salsa. Unfortunately, I didn’t portion out individual servings to measure it out that way. I would guess it makes 8-9 cups of salsa, so just over 3/4 cup per serving.
I hope to get the answer to my question before my daughters baby shower.
Can I make this caviar cowboy dip the night before the party the following afternoon.
Thanks.
Hi Alice, Happy birthday to your daughter! It will keep well for a few days in the refrigerator.
I made this and served it with brown rice and chicken, like a burrito bowl. Super yummy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Kari! Thank you for that amazing review.
This salad is a hit, every time I have a get together with friends and family they request this salad. The best part is that it is easy to make. Love it!!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Maria!
This recently popped up on my Facebook page so I thought what the heck I would try it for my husband. IT says makes a lot so I cut it in half except for the avocado, which I used a whole one. Oh my it’s amazing! He couldn’t stop snacking on it and it was all gone the second day.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m looking forward to more of your recipes.
I hope you love it, Max! We look forward to your feedback.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! So much flavor! Great recipe to finish out the summer. Btw you look super cute in this video Thank you again Natasha!!
Thank you Olga! You’re so nice. I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed this recipe and appreciate the awesome review.
Having family gathering this weekend. I practiced it today. Since I’m traveling, ill make it once I get there Saturday morning. I think they’ll love it1
That’s so great! It is one of our more popular recipes! I hope you love it!
Made this tonight for my husband and me. Delicious and refreshing! (I did leave out the peppers, though, but it was still delicious.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Jan!
Great recipe! I omit bottled dressing. Made simple dressing with 2/3 Cup EVO, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, s&p and 1 tsp dried basil. Leftover fres single good on all salads and fresh always better than bottled.
Hoping to make this for a family gathering tomorrow. Can this be made ahead of time a day before? I’m think I could just add the avocado right before it’s served. Love your recipes!!
Hi Amy, It will keep well for a few days in the refrigerator.
This is amazing! I have made this twice in a week and every time people rave about it. I tried it over warm chicken and it is amazing! I will be making this over and over and have recommended it people
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Beth!
Hi Natasha,
I’m trying this recipe tomorrow. This part should be revised:
“1 bell bell pepper seeded and diced”
to 1 red bell pepper…
Thank you for sharing such a delicious dish! It was easy to make and my family is giving me 10 out of 10 rating lol! I don’t know how I ran into you but I am surely blessed that I did. Have a great summer and thanks again!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Kim. I’m all smiles!
I made this today, and instead of an italian dressing I used one called “Sweet Cilantro Lime” (Sams choice brand aka Walmart). It really added a wonderful flavor. Everyone loved it. Thanks for the perfect recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Can I substitute the cilantro with parsley? Will it change the flavor immensely?
Hi Irene, several of our readers have done the same and loved it!
Appreciate your quick reply! I plan to make it tomorrow and can’t wait to try it!
I made this for a cookout and it is really good. I served it with tostitos scoops. It’s make a large amount of salsa so it is perfect for a party. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
The video includes 6 cloves of garlic; however, the garlic is not included in the recipe. Was is it an omission or was this not to be included?
Hi Kathy! We have garlic incuded in the recipe list. See the printable option towards the bottom of the post.
This is excellent.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Kathy!
I want to make this recipe but need additional information on the servings. The nutritional information is for 1 serving. What size would the serving be?
Thanks!!
Hi Debbie, a serving is about one-tenth of the recipe.
Great healthy appetizer that never goes to waste!
We never have leftovers! Definitely a favorite around here!
How long will this last in the frisge..i made it tonight for 4th of july wkend…it looks really good
Hi Cindy, It will keep well for a few days in the refrigerator. Happy 4th of July! This is a great choice for the 4th of July weekend!
Lovely light lunch to take to work, and can be prepped ahead making it a great time saver. Very tasty and versatile as you can add extras to it liked cooked chicken.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Leanne. Thank you for sharing that with us!
This is awesome! In fact, it’s really a meal in a bowl if you want it to be! Doesn’t need chips. You can add a scoop of rice to the bottom of your bowl if desired or grilled chicken to the mixture but I don’t when using this as a meal.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
I’ve made this and it’s the best cowboy caviar recipe ever – dressing is secret ingredient for sure! I wonder if you could add large shrimp to tge recipe and have as a luncheon meal – what do you think?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t tried that but I think that should work!
I just need to understand the black bean ingredient when it said. In the same sentence “black beans,( or make your own)” and I don’t understand,is there something I am missing or is that sentence misplaced?
Hi Michelle, we posted more about that within in the recipe including a link to make your own beans. You can follow that link here 🙂
Hi I’m doing a Daniel fast with my church and this would look perfect with the exception of Italian dressing since it has sugar in it and I think Parmesan cheese that I can’t have. Is there a substitute I can use? Or is it best I just wait to make it after the fast with original ingredients?
This dressing compliments the salad very well. To get the full experience you can wait or simply use a dressing that is okay to use with the fast. I’d love to know how you like that.
What can be substituted for the avocado? I am allergic to those,
Hi Sharon, its near impossible to replace certain tastes and textures, we recommend testing out what suits you best or omitting that.
Do you have a receipe for Sea Salt Caramels?
I am loving all your wonderful receipes and your videos….following you daily…..thank you so much…..God Bless…..
Hi Geri! I’m so happy you are enjoying our recipes! I do not have a recipe for caramels however this caramel sauce recipe is quite popular
So delicious! The flavor. I am all about flavor. Big thumbs up.
That’s so great! Thank you for the wonderful review!!
I made this yesterday for my daughter’s birthday. It was such a hit! People loved it. Was all gone! Thank you for the recipe Natasha!
That’s so great! Thank you for the wonderful review! 🙂
I love all of your recipes, but I should never watch you cook when I am hungry….I wish you lived next door!!!
love this! Thank you Lynne! 🙂
This is listed under “Paleo” recipes, but black beans are not allowed on the paleo diet. Just wanted to point that out so there is no confusion for people who are trying to adhere to that type of diet.
Hi Sharon. Thank you for sharing That with us! Our readers will find that helpful.
how do you come up with 38g of sugar??
Hi Tina, oh my goodness you are right! The recipe calculator I used somehow read that as 15 oz of candy corn. Goodness gracious that is definitely wrong! I updated the recipe card. Now I’m setting off to check all of my corn recipes. WOW!! Thanks for asking 🙂
If I didn’t want to use ready made Italian dressing, could you recommend a vinegar based dressing recipe like you mentioned in the introduction to this recipe?
Thanks
Hi Peggy, we don’t have an Italian dressing recipe posted yet, but most Italian homemade dressing would work. The clear ones are better as opposed to the creamy ones for this recipe. You could also use a lemon dressing similar to what is in this salad and that will work here and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Just wanted to leave a recipe suggestion, I tried this pirog and it was delicious. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hC9wazAFSEY
Btw, my kiddos love watching your videos/bloopers can go all day watching them, often copy you when I serve them their meals saying, “time for the taste test.” 😄
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me :). I’m all smiles!
I made this last night. Very delicious… So happy……
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
I love how this looks. I despise Kraft Italian salad dressing it tastes like chemicals to me. What Italian dressing do you use? I usually like your recipes but not sure what to do about the Italian dressing part I think it might ruin it for me anyway
Hi Janine, you can absolutely use your favorite and we don’t usually use Kraft in this recipe, but I did recommend 2 brands that we prefer in the recipe above. You can use whichever brand you prefer or normally would purchase 🙂
Ah thanks didn’t see what you recommended I will give it a try
You’re welcome!
Natasha! Making this for the third day in a row and I can not tell you HOW MUCH MY DAD LOVES THIS. He won’t stop raving about how fresh and healthy and all the right ingredients this is “otse same ludshe, vobshe the best” haha! Already memorized the ingredients, super easy and simple to make, I just add a little less Italian dressing and use fresh tomatoes from the garden. You’re awesome for sharing this!
That’s so awesome Jenna! I love the mix of Russian & English in the same sentence! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review with me!
Oh this looks yum, I’m very tempted to make it even though it’s winter here ☺️
p.s it says 1 bell bell pepper in the print friendly recipe 😉
Oh oops thanks for catching that – should be 1 Red bell pepper 🙂
It’s been three weeks and the oops has not been corrected. My first time on the website and I noticed it right away.
I have a recipe for Cowboy Caviar that I just love. Very similar to this one. I make it a gallon at a time and I live alone. My favorite vegetable dish. The recipe for the dressing is as follows:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
Love it!
That sounds wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!! 🙂
Very appealing but will try later. I am still in the chicken recepies that I adore.
I’m so happy to hear you are loving our recipes 🙂 I hope you enjoy this cowboy caviar just as much!
Just made a half portion to try before serving to a group. Definitely making this to share! Spice level was suitable for a mixed crowd. We tend to favor a bit more of a kick and will double the jalapeño in a batch for half the group. Either way, this was fresh, crisp and worthy of repeating in the future!
Thank you, Natasha for a new go-to recipe!
You’re welcome Kelli! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe enough to share it. Thanks for sharing your fantastic review with other readers!
Thank you for the recipe! How long does it keep in the fridge and is it freezable?
Hi Anastasia, I haven’t tried freezing so I can’t say for sure – you might test with a small batch to see how it thaws. We have always enjoyed it fresh.
Can I make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge?
Hi Amanda, yes it does keep for a day or two in the fridge. 🙂
I have a tradition with my husband, and that is making a few appetizers while we watch Sunday’s game. I have already tried one dip from this website and this will be my next recipe! I love how simple and yet delicious these recipes are. I am also making the ceviche tomorrow! Can’t wait!
Make sure to get some tobasco or hot sauce to drizzle over the top 🙂 I’m so glad you like the recipes!!
Tanks for the recommendation! I will!
If I add chick peas to this salad will the taste b the same?
Chickpeas might a little firm for this salad. It might throw the texture off a little. I’d stick with the beans.
Looks wonderful, nothing like fresh salsa in the summer!
I know what you mean about nursing! I finished nursing school a few years ago, and I actually went to BYU-Idaho’s program in Rexburg and loved it! I love looking at your site–good luck with school!
Natasha,
I made this for our 4th of July party it was awesome, everyone loved it. I’ve made couple of things from your site and everything is always delicious:)
Thank you,
Elina
Don’t apologize, Natalia. Life happens. If it didn’t you would have nothing about which to blog. And congratulations on getting this far in the nursing program.
May I respectfully suggest that you change 1/2 of a cilantro bushel
to read 1/2 of a cilantro BUNCH? A half bushel would be 4 gallons of cilantro. Other than that it sounds great, almost a cross between a traditional fresh salsa and “southern caviar.”
Bet it would be great rolled up in a flour tortilla.
good eye Joe, I got it fixed.
Thanks for posting all of these recipes. I recently found your website and am really excited about it. Thanks for your hard work!!!
thank you Natasha for sharing your recipes with others, I like your site a lot and I just don’t know how you have time for all these – nursing school and family is a lot, but you also find time for cooking I think you just very gifted girl. God bless you