If you need a new dip recipe that is made with fresh ingredients, then you need to try this cowboy caviar dip! When you make this cowboy caviar recipe you will enjoy many fresh veggies tossed in a tangy dressing in one bite.
There are a few names for this recipe, you might have heard it called Texas caviar, Mexican caviar, or cowboy salsa, no matter what you call it, it is a hearty dip that is easy to make and super addictive, you’ll be hooked after making it the first time.
This easy cowboy caviar recipe is a great game day appetizer recipe because, not only is it a tasty dip and a simple dip recipe to make, but it’s a pretty healthy recipe and a great make-ahead recipe too!
What is in Cowboy Caviar Dip?
It is loaded with vegetables, beans, and plenty of seasonings to make the best colorful dip with great flavor!
Ingredient Notes
- Tomatoes: We like to use Roma tomatoes, but you can use your favorite like cherry tomatoes or grape tomoatoes
- Beans: you will need black beans from a can that are drained and rinsed
- Corn: we like to use canned corn that is drained, but you could also use fresh corn or even frozen corn if you make it up a day ahead of time
- Onion: I love the taste of red onions in this recipe, the red onion also adds to the colorful dip
- Avocado: you will want a fairly ripe avocado diced
- Peppers: for this recipe, you will need green bell peppers diced, and jalapeno peppers diced
- Seasoning: garlic powder is a great way to add even more flavor
- Dressing: when making this recipe you need to use Italian dressing, I used Wishbone Robusto Italian, but you can also make homemade Italian dressing if you prefer
- Herbs; fresh chopped cilantro is perfect for this flavorful dip recipe
How to make Cowboy Caviar Dip:
- Mix together tomatoes, black beans, corn, onion, avocado, green pepper, and jalapenos in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle garlic powder on top, then stir in dressing and cilantro.
- Serve with a small bowl of tortilla chips (I suggest using the “scoop” chips- you are going to want to get a lot of this with every bite!) or your favorite corn chips.
Recipe Variations:
Here are more options for things you can add to this colorful cowboy caviar recipe:
- Black-eyed peas
- Red bell pepper
- Fresh lime juice
- Green onions
- Pinto beans
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh parsley
- Feta cheese
Storage Instructions:
Fridge: After mixing all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, place everything into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Also, to keep the avocado from browning as quickly, you can add the pit of the avocado to the easy dip for the best results.
While you can use dried beans when you start the process, however, you will need to cook and cool the beans before adding them to the caviar dip.
This recipe does contain jalapeno peppers in the bean dip, but since you are making it, you can decide how spicy you want to dip to be by adding more or less of the peppers or even adding in some of the jalapeno seeds. You can also add chili powder to make this recipe to your spice level.
Cowboy caviar dip is definitely on the healthier side of appetizer recipes that we have. However, it does still use Italian dressing for the sauce of this recipe so you will want to take that into account. It also tastes delicious if you want to make this extra healthy by using fresh lime juice and olive oil as the base for the recipe.
More like this cowboy caviar recipe:
- Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
- (The BEST) Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe
- Fresh Lime Salsa (Easy Homemade Salsa) Recipe
- Quick Pico De Gallo Recipe
Cowboy Caviar – Healthy Appetizer Recipe
Ingredients
- 5-6 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (15 ounce can)
- 1 can corn, drained (14 ounce can)
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 Tablespoons diced jalapenos, more or less, depending on how hot you prefer it
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing, I used Wishbone Robusto Italian
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment
Instructions
- Mix together tomatoes, black beans, corn, onion, avocado, green pepper, and jalapenos in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle garlic powder on top, then stir in dressing and cilantro.
- Serve with tortilla chips (I suggest using the "scoop" chips- you are going to want to get a lot of this with every bite!).
Notes
Nutrition
Video
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
I love this stuff!!! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve been searching for this recipe for ages – a friend of mine used to make this and I’ve never been able to find it. So excited!
I had this for the first time this summer and absolutely love it! (I never knew the name of it.) The only thing I do differently is I skip the Italian dressing and garlic powder and use the juice of a fresh lime instead.
We call this “crack salad” because it’s so addictive!
Can this be made the day before? If so does the avocado brown? Thanks in advance
Love this recipe it’s delicious
The avocado will discolor, but you could mix it all up and add the avocado right before serving!
I have made this for years without the avocado and it lasts a few days in the fridge and is just as yummy. One thing I add is some ground cumin for a southwest sort of taste. Great with “scoops” and leftovers are good on a tossed salad or mixed with a little pasta for a cold side dish. Love it! Thanks for the reminder that I must make some soon.
I make this ALL THE TIME! I don’t add avocado (personal preference), but I DO add a can of garbanzo beans (chick peas). My daughters LOVE it! It’s requested at every picnic we have. They even eat it with a spoon…no tortilla chips needed! 🙂
This is so delicious. I followed the recipe and we love the stuff. I am not the greatest cook (luckily my husband is,) but this is a recipe I get kudos for everytime.
Thanks for posting this!
Love it!Betty King
Love this good diabetic recipe
This is seriously our favorite summer dip. I brought it to our neighborhood potluck last week and it was a huge hit!