Texas Cowboy Caviar: Zesty Summer Dip Recipe (Print Version)

Whip up a batch of Texas Cowboy Caviar! This zesty, fresh dip is packed with veggies and bold flavors. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or a cozy night in.

# Recipe Info:

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

# Ingredients:

→ The Veggie Stars

01 - Black Beans (1 can, rinsed and drained)
02 - Sweet Corn (1 can, drained, or 1 cup frozen/fresh)
03 - Roma Tomatoes (2-3, diced)
04 - Red Onion (1/2, finely diced)
05 - Green Bell Pepper (1, diced)

→ Flavor Powerhouses

06 - Cilantro (1/2 cup, chopped)
07 - Jalapeño (1, seeded and minced)

→ The Zesty Dressing

08 - Lime Juice (2-3 tablespoons, fresh)
09 - Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
10 - Cumin (1 teaspoon)
11 - Chili Powder (1/2 teaspoon)
12 - Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those veggies prepped! Rinse and drain your black beans and corn really well. Next, dice your Roma tomatoes, red onion, and green bell pepper into small, bite-sized pieces. Don't go too big, or it'll be awkward to scoop. This is where my kitchen usually starts looking like a confetti explosion, honestly. And remember that red onion tip? If it’s too strong, a quick rinse under cold water after dicing helps mellow it out – a trick I learned the hard way after an onion-induced crying fit one morning!
02 - Now, grab your jalapeño. Carefully slice it open, remove the seeds and ribs if you want less heat, and then mince it up super fine. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling it, or you’ll be in for a surprise later (ask me how I know, oops!). If you're feeling brave and love a good kick, leave a few seeds in! This step always makes the kitchen smell so fresh and a little spicy, which I just love. It’s like the Texas Cowboy Caviar is already starting to wake up!
03 - Next up, the cilantro! Give it a good wash and a rough chop. I like mine finely chopped, but if you prefer bigger pieces, go for it. This is where the Texas Cowboy Caviar really starts to get its vibrant color. I once forgot to buy fresh cilantro and tried dried, and let's just say it was a culinary disaster. Fresh is king here, always. The smell of fresh cilantro instantly transports me to summer potlucks, it’s just the best!
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together your fresh lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good stir until everything is combined. Taste it! Does it need more salt? More lime? This is your moment to adjust it to your liking. I always add a tiny bit more lime because I love that bright tang in my Texas Cowboy Caviar. This is where the magic happens, hon, really bringing out all those amazing flavors.
05 - Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, gently combine all your prepped veggies – the black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Pour the dressing over the top and gently fold everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated. Don't just dump it in; you want to treat your ingredients with a little love! I usually use a big spatula for this to avoid squishing the tomatoes.
06 - Once everything is mixed, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better, honestly, to let all those flavors meld and get happy together. This Texas Cowboy Caviar tastes even more amazing after it's had a chance to chill. When you pull it out, it should look vibrant, smell incredibly fresh, and be ready to scoop up with your favorite tortilla chips. Perfection!

# Notes:

01 - Always use fresh lime juice; it's the secret sauce for real flavor in this Texas Cowboy Caviar.
02 - This dip tastes even better on day two, so making it ahead is a total win for flavor melding.
03 - I've swapped black beans for pinto beans once, and it worked, but definitely changed the vibe a bit.
04 - Serve this Texas Cowboy Caviar with sturdy, scoopable tortilla chips for the ultimate dipping experience.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - whisk
03 - sharp knife
04 - cutting board
05 - airtight container

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 150-200
Total Fat: 5-8g
Total Carbohydrate: 25-35g
Protein: 5-8g

Back