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!
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.
Why you will love this Cowboy Caviar recipe…
Cowboy Caviar with Charred Corn and Toasted Pepitas
Equipment
- Vegetable chopper (for fast and easy chopping)
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
- ⅓ cup red onion,
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ⅓ 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
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
Storage Suggestions
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.
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