Cowboy Caviar Salad Recipe: Easy & Delicious! (Print Version)

Cowboy Caviar Salad: Your easy, delicious recipe awaits! This vibrant dish is perfect for parties or a quick meal. Get my personal tips for a crowd-pleaser!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Fresh Produce & Legumes

01 - 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
02 - 1 ½ cups sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen thawed, or canned, drained)
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - ½ red onion, finely diced
06 - 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
07 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced (add just before serving)

→ Aromatics & Herbs

08 - ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, for a kick)

→ Dressing Essentials

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

→ Serving Suggestions

16 - Tortilla chips, for serving
17 - Lettuce cups, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get all your gorgeous veggies prepped. Drain and rinse those black beans until the water runs clear – this is where I always make sure they're super clean, otherwise, the whole Cowboy Caviar Salad can get a bit muddy, honestly. Thaw your corn if it's frozen. Then, dice up your bell peppers, red onion, and tomatoes into small, even pieces. I try to make them roughly the same size as the corn kernels; it just looks nicer, you know? And chop that fresh cilantro. It's the smell that really starts the party!
02 - Now, grab your biggest mixing bowl. Seriously, don't skimp on the bowl size; I've had so many overflow disasters trying to mix in a tiny one, oops! Add your rinsed black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, red onion, and tomatoes. If you're using jalapeño, throw that in now too. Give it a gentle toss just to get everything acquainted. This is where the colors really start to pop, and honestly, it just makes me happy looking at all that freshness!
03 - In a separate small bowl or a jar with a lid (my go-to for easy shaking!), combine your fresh lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk it all together until it's well combined and slightly emulsified. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust the seasoning. Need more zing? Add more lime. Want more warmth? A little more cumin or chili powder. Trust your gut here – I always tweak it a bit to my mood!
04 - Pour that glorious dressing over your mixed veggies in the big bowl. Now, gently, *gently* fold everything together. You don't want to mash your beans or tomatoes, just coat everything evenly. I usually use a big spoon or a rubber spatula for this. This step is where the Cowboy Caviar Salad really comes alive, absorbing all those delicious flavors. It smells so good already, you'll be tempted to just dive in!
05 - This is crucial: dice your avocado right before you're ready to serve, or at least right before the final mix. Add it to the salad and gently fold it in. I've made the mistake of adding it too early, and it turns into a sad, brown mess. You want those beautiful green chunks! It adds that creamy texture that just completes the Cowboy Cavar Salad experience.
06 - For the best flavor, cover your bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This lets all those amazing flavors meld together. Honestly, an hour is even better if you have the time! When you're ready to serve, give it one last gentle stir. It should look vibrant, smell fresh, and taste like sunshine and good times. Grab your favorite tortilla chips and get ready to impress!

# Notes:

01 - Always rinse your canned beans *thoroughly* – it makes a huge difference in the final taste and clarity of your Cowboy Cavar Salad.
02 - Don't add the avocado too early; it'll brown on you! Dice it right before serving for the freshest look and taste.
03 - Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes; the flavors truly deepen and marry, making your Cowboy Caviar Salad even better.
04 - For an extra vibrant look, use a mix of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - small whisking bowl
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife
05 - measuring spoons and cups

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 180
Total Fat: 9g
Total Carbohydrate: 21g
Protein: 5g

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