Cowboy Caviar with Charred Corn and Toasted Pepitas

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

Updated

This cowboy caviar dip is healthy but packed with flavor! Perfect to serve when entertaining with some corn chips.
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Cowboy Caviar is a healthy Tex-Mex dip that is packed with veggies and bursting with flavor.

You NEED to have this Cowboy Caviar at your next get-together! It’s crunchy, soft, sweet, smoky, and zesty. What more could you want?

Serve this dip with a side of tortilla chips and your guests will demolish it in no time!

Cowboy Caviar is a healthy Tex-Mex dip

This recipe takes the regular Cowboy Caviar to the next level with a few extra steps to make it truly memorable.

The corn is charred on the grill to give it a distinctive smokiness.

This is paired with the equally smoky chipotle in the lime dressing that makes this dish sing!

The whole thing is topped off with toasted pepitas that add a satisfying crunch.

This recipe takes the regular Cowboy Caviar to the next level

Why you will love this Cowboy Caviar recipe…

  • Smoky and tangy– The smoky chipotle and corn contrast beautifully with the lime dressing.
  • Perfect texture- The beans are soft, the peppers are crunchy but juicy, and the toasted pepitas are even crunchier, which gives the dish a lot of dimension.
  • Crowd-pleaser– This colorful dip with its complex dressing is bound to entice your guests.
  • Really quick- This dish takes just 15 minutes to make.
  • Healthy option- It contains 7 veggies, nuts, and lime in the dressing.
Why you will love this Cowboy Caviar recipe

Cowboy Caviar with Charred Corn and Toasted Pepitas

This dip is healthy but packed with flavor! Perfect to serve when entertaining with some corn chips.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course dip
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 6
Calories 131 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Cowboy Caviar:

  • 2 ears of corn, husks removed
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • cup red onion,
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

For the Smoky Chipotle-Lime Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, minced
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high. Brush the corn with a little olive oil and grill for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides. Once cooled, slice the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife. Set aside.
  • Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pepitas and toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until they’re golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, minced chipotle pepper, honey, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • In a large bowl, combine the black beans, black-eyed peas, diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and charred corn kernels.
  • Pour the chipotle-lime dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle the toasted pepitas on top for that extra crunch.

Nutrition

Calories 131kcal (7%)Carbohydrates 13g (4%)Protein 4g (8%)Fat 8g (12%)Saturated Fat 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat 2gMonounsaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0.01gSodium 27mg (1%)Potassium 302mg (9%)Fiber 3g (13%)Sugar 6g (7%)Vitamin A 1595IU (32%)Vitamin C 60mg (73%)Calcium 14mg (1%)Iron 1mg (6%)
Keyword Cowboy Caviar
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

We love serving this cowboy caviar as a dip with tortilla chips. You can also try spooning it over grilled chicken or fish, or simply enjoy it as a vibrant salad!

For the perfect pairing, try it with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers or Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Citrus Herb Marinade. To top it off, sip on a refreshing Iced Limoncello to complement the bold flavors of the dish.

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Make it vegan. Swap the honey for agave in the dressing.
  • Toast the spices. This will bring out their flavors and remove that raw spice taste.
  • Grilling tip. If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can try to char the corn directly over a gas stove flame.
  • Make ahead. Prepare the salad up to a day in advance because there are no greens to wilt.
  • Spice it up. Add some extra chipotle or sprinkle some cayenne into the dressing.
We love serving this cowboy caviar as a dip

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cowboy Caviar FAQs

Why is Cowboy Caviar called that?

Also known as Texas caviar or Mississippi caviar, this dish was named this for humor’s sake. The small pieces of vegetables and beans vaguely resemble the round beads of real caviar, but it uses beans as a main ingredient, which is notorious in southern cuisine.

Where was Cowboy Caviar created?

It was created in Texas in the 1940s.

What is caviar made of?

Real caviar is made from the fish eggs of wild Sturgeons.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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