Cowboy Caviar: Easy, Fresh & Flavorful Dip! (Print Version)

Cowboy Caviar is your new favorite fresh dip! Loaded with vibrant veggies, beans, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for parties or a quick, healthy snack.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Fresh Veggies & Beans

01 - 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
02 - 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained (or 1 ½ cups frozen, thawed)
03 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
05 - ½ red onion, finely diced
06 - 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced (adjust to taste)
07 - ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Zesty Dressing

08 - ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from about 2-3 limes)
09 - ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - ½ teaspoon chili powder
12 - ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

→ Optional Add-ins

14 - 1 ripe avocado, diced (add just before serving)
15 - A pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your chopping done! Dice your bell peppers, red onion, and jalapeño into small, uniform pieces. This is where I always try to be super neat, but honestly, sometimes it’s a bit of a chaotic mess – just aim for bite-sized. Rinse and drain those black beans and corn really well. You want them clean and ready to soak up all that zesty dressing. This step always makes my kitchen smell so fresh, I love it!
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together your drained black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, red onion, and jalapeño. Give it a good gentle stir to mix all those beautiful colors. This is where the magic starts to happen visually; you can see the vibrant palette forming. Don't press too hard, you don't want to mush the beans! I once used a spoon that was too small, and everything went flying – oops! A big bowl is key here.
03 - In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together your fresh lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk it really well until it's all emulsified and looks slightly creamy. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust the seasoning. Need more lime? A pinch more salt? This dressing is the heart of the flavor, so make it perfect for you. I always add a little extra lime, because I love that zing!
04 - Pour the zesty dressing over your veggie and bean mixture in the large bowl. Now, gently fold everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated. You want every piece to get a little kiss of that amazing dressing. This step always feels so satisfying, seeing all the flavors come together. Make sure you get to the bottom of the bowl, where sometimes the dressing likes to hide!
05 - Finally, stir in your freshly chopped cilantro. This is the last touch of freshness that really brightens up the whole dish. The aroma of fresh cilantro mixing with the other ingredients is just heavenly. Give it one last gentle toss. I always add a bit more cilantro than the recipe calls for, because, well, why not?
06 - Once everything is mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate your dip for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour or two. This chilling time allows all those incredible flavors to meld and deepen. Honestly, it makes such a difference! The longer it sits, the more harmonious it tastes. When it’s ready, give it a final stir and serve it up. It should look vibrant, smell amazing, and taste like sunshine!

# Notes:

01 - Let it chill! The flavors truly meld and deepen after at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
02 - Best on day one for peak crispness, but still good for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
03 - If you're out of bell peppers, chopped cucumber can work in a pinch for crunch.
04 - Serve with sturdy tortilla chips for the best scooping experience!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - small whisking bowl
03 - whisk
04 - cutting board
05 - sharp knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 150-200
Total Fat: 8-12g
Total Carbohydrate: 15-20g
Protein: 5-7g

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