4.84 from 6 reviews

Cowboy Caviar

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Mixed cowboy caviar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, showing vibrant beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, and diced avocado.

If you’ve been looking for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dip that’s as versatile as it is delicious, my Cowboy Caviar is it!

It’s incredibly simple to bring together and easy to make in advance, which I love because when you’re hosting, you need all the easy, make-ahead dishes!

It’s filled with black beans, kidney beans, black eye peas, corn, tomatoes, and avocado, and tossed in a zesty dressing. I always like to serve it with tortilla chips for easy scooping, or it’s really delicious for piling on top of grilled meats, tacos, or salads.

Make this for your new BBQ, potluck, party, or meal prep, and you won’t be disappointed!

Close-up of cowboy caviar in a wooden bowl with tortilla chips and a wooden spoon, showcasing fresh veggies, beans, corn, and avocado.

Some other dishes that would go great with it are my Sheet Pan Quesadillas, Seven Layer Bean Dip, or Mahi Mahi Tacos.

Why this recipe works

  • SO Versatile! Serve it as a dip (which I often do!), side dish, taco topper, or even a salad. It works with chips, grilled meats, or just straight from a spoon!
  • Fresh ingredients and pantry staples: it uses both fresh ingredients and pantry canned goods, making it fiber-rich. It’s light and satisfying and has the perfect mix of fresh veggies, beans, herbs, and zesty dressing.
  • Easy: No cooking required! Just chop, toss, and chill. You can prep it in advance and it tastes even better the next day!
  • Customizable: use a homemade dressing, add cucumbers or bell peppers, add feta cheese, omit the jalapenos and chili flakes for a less spicy option, etc.
Close-up of cowboy caviar in a wooden bowl with tortilla chips and a wooden spoon, showcasing fresh veggies, beans, corn, and avocado.

Ingredient Notes

You can scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Overhead view of fresh ingredients for cowboy caviar arranged on a blue surface, including beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, onion, avocado, jalapeño, and a small pitcher of dressing.
  • Beans: My recipe calls for canned black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and black beans. Be sure to drain and rinse them, and feel free to use any combination of beans you like!
  • Corn: You will need both yellow and white canned corn. You can use canned, fresh, or frozen (thawed) corn.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: or any tomatoes you have on hand (Roma, heirloom, plum, beefsteak, campari), diced.
  • White onion: dice up finely. Can also use red onion if you prefer.
  • Jalapeño: Seeded and finely diced.
  • Avocado: I like to add this right before serving the dip so it doesn’t brown.
  • Garlic powder, salt & pepper
  • Italian dressing: If you have a favorite homemade dressing you can use that but to make it easy, I just add in a bottle of store-bought Italian dressing!

Step-by-Step Directions

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe instructions.

Tips and Variations

  • Feel free to add in more veggies such as diced up red and green bell peppers and celery.
  • Omit the jalapeño if desired.
  • Add in pinto beans instead of kidney beans if preferred.
  • Bulk up this dip by adding in protein like bacon bits, steak, or diced chicken!
  • Add the avocado right before you plan to serve it so it doesn’t turn brown.
  • This dip is also good with feta cheese or cojita cheese too!
A checkered plate filled with tortilla scoop chips topped with cowboy caviar, garnished with cherry tomatoes, avocado, and lime wedges.

What's your favorite appetizer?

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Mixed cowboy caviar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, showing vibrant beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, and diced avocado.
4.84 from 6 reviews

Texas Caviar Dip

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 10 people
This Texas Caviar dip is colorful, hearty, easy to make and loaded with beans and veggies. It's always a crowd pleasing appetizer! Serve with tortilla chips and fresh avocado diced on top.

Ingredients

  • 1, 15 oz. can black beans
  • 1, 15 oz. can black eyed peas
  • 1, 15.5 oz. can kidney beans
  • 1, 15.25 oz. can yellow corn
  • 1, 15.25 oz. can white corn
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 small white onion, diced (red onion works too!)
  • 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional for more heat)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 15 oz. Italian dressing of your choice (1 bottle)*
  • 1 avocado, cut into cubes (add last, right before serving)

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Open cans: Drain and rinse canned beans and corn.
    1, 15 oz. can black beans, 1, 15 oz. can black eyed peas, 1, 15.5 oz. can kidney beans, 1, 15.25 oz. can yellow corn
    Overhead view of a large white bowl filled with separated piles of black beans, black-eyed peas, red kidney beans, white corn, and yellow corn, ready to be mixed for cowboy caviar.
  • Add to bowl: Combine all ingredients in large serving bowl.
    1, 15.25 oz. can white corn, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half, 1 small white onion, diced (red onion works too!), 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and diced, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional for more heat), Salt and pepper to taste
    Side-by-side images of a large bowl of cowboy caviar ingredients. Left side shows beans, corn, onion, tomato, and other veggies arranged by type. Right side shows the same ingredients sprinkled with spices and chopped jalapeño before mixing.
  • Pour in dressing: Toss to combine in the salad dressing. Use desired amount.
    15 oz. Italian dressing of your choice (1 bottle)*
    Left side shows a hand pouring Italian-style dressing over a colorful cowboy caviar mix. Right side shows the same bowl being stirred with a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients.
  • Chill & serve: You can serve right away as a salad or with chips/veggies. Before serving, dice the avocado and add on top. Note: You can refrigerate for several hours before serving. This allows the flavors to marinate!
    1 avocado, cut into cubes (add last, right before serving)
    Left side shows a close-up of colorful cowboy caviar with avocado, beans, tomatoes, and corn. Right side shows a small bowl of cowboy caviar served with tortilla chips and garnished with lime on a blue-and-white plate.

Equipment

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Cowboy Caviar typically lasts 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Customize it: Feel free to change up the beans used and add extra veggies like cucumber or bell peppers if you have them on hand. 
  • Dressing: I usually buy the Wish-Bone Italian Dressing. If you feel that using the entire bottle is too much dressing for your preference, start with 1 cup. Taste and add more as desired. One bottle (15 fluid oz.) is about 1 3/4 cups of dressing. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 141kcal (7%), Carbohydrates: 8g (3%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 426mg (19%), Potassium: 180mg (5%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 118IU (2%), Vitamin C: 6mg (7%), Calcium: 11mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

This recipe was originally published in 2015. It was updated with new photos in May 2025 (No changes to the recipe were made).

📸 Photography by Creating Kaitlin

Krolls Korner

Krolls Korner

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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4.84 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)
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Kelly Jones

This looks so delish and perfect for summer! Loved your video on it, too!

Emily @SinfulNutrition

Sounds so refreshing! A nice change for this dreary weather we’re having here in NH.

Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

I’d just eat this by the bowl!

Francesca

Looks hearty & delicious! Oh and beautiful 😀

Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite

This looks delicious! I make a similar recipe but I love the spices you’ve added to this. Pinning!

Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

This is so yummy looking. It is reminding me of a cross between succotash and Texas caviar. Whatever you call it I would love a scoop of it right now.