Vegan Cowboy Caviar

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Cowboy caviar or Texas caviar, whatever you call it, is delicious! It whips up quickly, bursts with flavor, and is an excellent addition to any party. It's made with a mixture of beans, fresh herbs, tomatoes, corn, and a tasty vinegarette.

Vegan cowboy caviar in a white bowl with a chip in it upclose shot.

Vegan Cowboy Caviar dip is one of my favorites! Sometimes I end up eating it with chips for a meal; it's that good and filling. It has unique flavors that result in a burst of flavor in your mouth. I love to bring this easy dip to parties or potlucks; it's always a big hit.

If you're looking for some more vegan appetizers, check out these incredible Vegan Taquitos or Vegan Elote Dip.

It contains black-eyed peas, which helps in the unique flavor profile. Plus, I almost always serve this on New Year's Eve. Did you know it's considered good luck to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Eve? I have another delicious Instant Pot Vegan Black Eyed Peas Recipe if you want to try black-eyed peas another way.

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Why the recipe works
Ingredients and Substitutions
How do you make this vegan cowboy caviar recipe?
Expert Tips and Tricks
Recipe FAQS
Here are some other delicious vegan appetizers...
Vegan Cowboy Caviar

Why the recipe works

It tastes delicious
It's an easy recipe.
People will want the recipe; it's a go-to recipe.
It's naturally gluten-free.
Perfect potluck recipe.
It's a simple dip.
It's great to bring camping. It holds up well in a gallon zip-lock bag.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredient picture of vegan cowboy caviar in small containers with labels on a marble background.

Bean salad recipe ingredients-

Black-eyed peas-I would stick with using black-eyed peas in this recipe. It may sound weird, but it aids in the flavor of the dish.
Black beans- I would stick to the black-eyed peas and black beans. That's the best combination for this particular recipe, but if you want to substitute different types of beans, that's up to you.
Sweet corn- You can use canned corn or fresh corn. I always have canned corn, making it quick and easy.
Petite tomatoes, canned ( or Roma tomatoes if you want fresh)- Yes, I prefer to use canned tomatoes only because fresh tomatoes aren't my favorite. I know, I know, most people love fresh tomatoes. But feel free to sub in fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
Fresh cilantro- this is something I wouldn't leave it out. It brings a lot of flavor, but I would chop it super small so you don't get a big leaf on cilantro.
Green onions- this compliments this dish perfectly. You could use another onion, but I think this is superior in color and flavor.
Avocado- don't add this until you're about to serve the dip.

Simple vinaigrette ingredients-

Olive oil- you can use any other mild oil you prefer.
Red wine vinegar- I wouldn't sub this out for anything else; this gives the dip its classic flavor.
Lemon juice- fresh lemon juice is best.
Hot sauce- doesn't make it spicy unless you add too much; if you want more spice, add more. I usually use Tapatio.
Cumin- helps bring the flavors together- don't skip it.
Salt- this seems like a lot of salt, but it makes the flavors come out.
Fresh garlic- is a key ingredient to this. Don't use garlic powder unless you have to.

Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredient and quantity information.

How do you make this vegan cowboy caviar recipe?

A clear bowl with cowboy caviar ingredients before being mixed.

Step 1- Get a colander, strain, and rinse the beans and corn. Then add the tomatoes to the strained beans and let them sit while you prepare the dressing.

a pyrex liquid measuring bowl with liquid and seasoning in it.

Step 2- Take a small bowl or liquid measuring cup and mix all the vinaigrette dressing ingredients together.

A clear large bowl with cowboy caviar with a metal fork.

Step 3-Put the strained bean mixture into a large bowl, pour the dressing over and stir.

Cowboy caviar in a small white bowl with a chip in it.

Step 4- You can then put this in the fridge, covered it to marinate the flavors. For the best flavor, you can let the salad rest until the next day or for a few hours if that's all you have time for. Add the chunks of avocado before serving. Serve with corn chips.

Expert Tips and Tricks

This tastes best when it has time for the flavors to marinate.
Wait to add the avocados until you're ready to serve.
This does get really soupy, but the flavor lies in the liquid, so don't get rid of it.
If you want this to be a spicy dip, you can add some jalapeno or extra hot sauce.

Recipe FAQS

How do you store this vegan party dip?

This is best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
After four days, the fresh ingredients can get less appealing.

Can you freeze this?

It wouldn't taste very good frozen.

How do you serve vegan cowboy caviar?

My favorite way is as a dip with tortilla chips. But it also goes great on a taco or burrito.

Why do they call it cowboy caviar?

Cowboy caviar, or Texas caviar, was first served in Texas in the 1940s by a lady named Helen Corbitt. Helen worked for the Houston Country Club and served it to her guests for the New Year's Eve party. Black-eyed peas are often served on NYE for good luck. Later it was served at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, and it's there, they named it Texas Caviar as a joke to real caviar. Reference- "Texas Caviar." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Dec. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_caviar.

Vegan cowboy caviar in a small white bowl with chips, tomatoes and cilantro around it.

Here are some other delicious vegan appetizers...

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