Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Cowboy caviar is a delicious dip that’s packed with flavor. Black beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocados are tossed in a zesty Italian dressing to make the perfect dip for tortilla chips. It is great for dipping and ideal for topping off a salad, tacos, grilled chicken, or fish. 

Why I love cowboy caviar so much

Recently a good friend of mine had the misfortune of breaking her leg, and having to have surgery.  She’s a nurse and a mother to four boys.   Let me just say, “aint nobody got time fer dat!!”  Oh my goodness!  I was feeling horrible for her, transferring her dilemma to my life, thinking what would I do if I had to be immobilized for any length of time? I thought to myself if I had to sit and keep my foot up for the majority of each day I would definitely want a yummy snack to eat while I did.  Wouldn’t you?  I knew my friend loved avocados so I decided to make her some Cowboy Caviar, a relatively healthy snack to munch her time away with. If you want to read more about how to love on others here’s a link to a 31 day series I wrote some time ago. The first time I had this simple dip, it was served with corn chips, my mind was blown. I love anything that satisfies my need for snacking and is full of fresh ingredients!

Gather these ingredients

This is how to make cowboy caviar

Wash vegetables. Chop roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion in to a very small dice. Mince jalapeno pepper. Pit and dice avocados. Put all of this together in a large mixing bowl.

Drain and rinse black beans and add to cut vegetables.

Drain can of fiesta corn and add to the bowl.

In a large measuring cup or a mason jar add all of the dressing ingredients and whisk or shake vigorously.

Pour dressing over the veggies and mix to combine. Cover bowl and chill for one hour before serving. It’s hard to wait to dig in but giving it a little time helps the flavors meld together.

Tips & Variations

Tips for the best Cowboy Caviar

• Add the avocados last. If you’re making this ahead of time, wait to dice and fold in the avocados just before serving to keep them fresh and vibrant.
• Dice everything evenly. Small, uniform pieces make each scoop perfectly balanced—and easier to eat with chips or as a topping.
• Rinse and drain well. Be sure to rinse the black beans and fiesta corn thoroughly to avoid extra liquid watering down the dressing.
• Let it rest. This dish gets even better after sitting for 20–30 minutes, allowing the Good Seasons dressing, lime juice, garlic, and olive oil to really soak into the veggies.
• Taste before serving. Jalapeños and limes can vary—adjust heat or acidity to your liking right before serving.
• Beans – black-eyed peas are often used instead of black beans in this recipe. This is your preference.
• Leftovers – Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Easy variations

• Make it mild: Remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño—or skip it entirely—for a kid-friendly version.
• Turn up the heat: Add an extra jalapeño, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce for a spicy kick!
• Add protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak to turn this into a hearty lunch or dinner bowl.
• Cheesy twist: Sprinkle in crumbled cotija or feta cheese just before serving.
• No cilantro? Replace fresh cilantro with fresh parsley or leave it out altogether. What ever your favorite fresh herbs are add them!
• Serve it different ways: Scoop it up with tortilla chips, spoon it on top of chicken or fish, pile it onto tacos, or use it as a fresh topping for burrito bowls or salads.

This cowboy caviar is endlessly customizable — use what you love, adjust to your crowd, and make it your own. It’s such a great recipe and is always a big hit. It’s a great way to add fresh veggies to your game days spread. We all need more bright fresh food in these long winter months.

More fresh party appetizers –

Pico del gallo, Easy Guacamole, Feta Herb Dip, Greek Guacamole

So now it’s your turn!  Share how you’ve loved on others recently in the comments. Feel free to share so others can too!

Have a great weekend! XO, Sheila