This Cowboy Caviar with Black Beans fresh, colorful and delish appetizer or side dish that’s perfect for parties and BBQs. Combining protein-packed black beans, sweet corn, peppers, and cilantro, it’s fresh and surprisingly filling. Tossed in a tangy lime dressing with a hint of sweetness and spice, it’s best served fresh as a dense salad or a dip with corn chips.
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Cowboy Caviar
I first saw Cowboy Caviar on TikTok back in 2022 – it was a big food trend at the time! I was slow to jump onto it and try it for myself, but I’m so glad I did eventually because it’s delicious, pretty and healthy. Cowboy Caviar comes from Southern USA. It has a Mexican flavor profile with crisp, fresh textures. I love the combination of creamy avocado, fresh cilantro and crisp diced bell peppers, red onion and dense black beans. The texture and fresh veggies really make this dish, so make sure to eat it immediately after preparing to enjoy it at its best.
If you’re looking for more ideas for side salads, you have to try some of my other dense and flavor packed recipes like my viral Brown Rice Salad. If you love the pretty, colorful look of diced vegetables, then Jerusalem Salad is a very similar looking dish to Cowboy Caviar, but with a Middle-Eastern flavor profile, served with a drizzle of tahini and scooped in flat bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh, Filling and Delicious: The combo of black beans, fresh corn, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a zesty lime dressing is refreshing and dense at the same time. Add in some corn chips for crunch and it’s the perfect appetizer for a BBQ or Mexican themed feast.
- Nutritious: Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins from beans, corn, and fresh veggies.
- Easy to Prepare: Cowboy Caviar is so simple to make and if you use a vegetable chopper to dice your ingredients, it’s very quick too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll find the specific quantities for each ingredient listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but for your convenience, here’s a shopping list of everything you’ll need:
- Black beans
- Fresh corn kernels
- Tomatoes
- Pickled jalapenos
- Avocado
- Red bell pepper
- Red onion
- Cilantro leaves
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Pure maple syrup
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Salt and pepper
Substitutions & Variations
Looking to customize your Cowboy Caviar? Here are some substitutions and variations to fit your taste and dietary preferences:
- Beans: Swap black beans for pinto beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas for a different texture and flavor.
- Corn: Use frozen corn or canned corn (drained) if fresh corn isn’t available.
- Vegetables: Replace fresh corn with cooked corn, or use additional vegetables like diced cucumbers or roasted red peppers.
- Heat Level: Adjust the heat by using a milder chili pepper instead of jalapeno, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like it spicier.
- Dressing: Substitute honey or agave syrup for maple syrup.
Expert Tips
For the best texture, make Cowboy Caviar fresh. Chop all your vegetables just before you’re ready to serve, and combine with the dressing at the last minute. This recipe is so delicious but really is best fresh with a crunchy bowl of corn chips.
Storage
I highly recommend eating your Cowboy Caviar fresh, it goes soggy very quickly. Keep all ingredients separate (including the dressing) until just before you’re ready to serve. It will be safe to eat for up to 2 days in the refrigerator, but it won’t be nearly as fresh and crisp.
FAQ
Yes, canned or frozen corn can be used. Just make sure to thaw (if frozen) and drain (if canned) before adding it to the salad.
If you prefer a spicier Cowboy Caviar, add more jalapenos or a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can also increase the amount of chili powder in the dressing.
If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with fresh parsley or omit it from the recipe.
Serving Suggestions and More Recipes
- As a Salad: Enjoy Cowboy Caviar as a vibrant, refreshing salad on its own for a light meal.
- With Chips: Serve it as a dip with tortilla chips or pita chips for a crunchy, satisfying snack.
- In Wraps: Use it as a filling for wraps or tacos for a delicious twist on traditional fillings.
This Cowboy Caviar with Black Beans and Fresh Corn is perfect for a vibrant salad, a delicious dip, or a refreshing side dish. It’s packed with flavor, easy to prepare. If you love this recipe, I’d be grateful if you could leave a star rating and review—it really helps spread the word and allows more people to enjoy these recipes! Don’t forget to tag me in your photos on Instagram @glowdiaries___; I can’t wait to see your creations and share them on my stories!
Cowboy Caviar with Black Beans and Fresh Corn
Ingredients
- 2 cans (400g / 15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 2-3 ears of corn)
- 1 cup tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
- 2 tbsp pickled jalapeno minced
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 3/4 cup red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lime juice juice of about 1/2 a lime
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the black beans, fresh corn, tomatoes, jalapeno, avocado, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, maple syrup, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately as a salad or with chips, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
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