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Look, none of us can deny our love for southern comfort food. But when summer comes around, we’re looking to avoid the heavy stuff and turning to summer salads instead. Luckily, we’ve found a way to combine the two in the form of TikTok’s latest recipe find: cowboy caviar.
Also known as Texas caviar, this dish was created by Helen Corbitt around 1940 in Houston, Texas. Originally made with black-eyed peas, the name riffs on the fancier dish because the peas resembled caviar. TikTok has upgraded the classic cowboy caviar to make it our new go-to recipe.
How to Make Cowboy Caviar
Via @brialem/Tiktok (3)
This recipe comes from TikTok user @brialem. You can omit any of the ingredients below or add whatever’s fresh from the garden.
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 jalapenos
- 3/4 red onion
- 2 cups sweet corn
- 1 container feta cheese
- 1 can sliced black olives
- 2 cans black beans, rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans, rinsed
- 2 avocados
Dressing:
- Juice of 3 limes
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3-4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2-4 tablespoons spicy honey
- 3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Taco seasoning
Directions
Step 1: Mix your ingredients
Finely dice your bell peppers, jalapenos and onion. Add to a large bowl. Stir in the corn and sliced olives. Drain and rinse your beans and add them to the large bowl. Top with feta cheese. Combine everything well.
Step 2: Add the dressing
Whisk together your homemade dressing. Pour it gently over the cowboy caviar and stir well. The entire bowl should be mixed thoroughly. All the bright colors should be shining through!
Step 3: Add the avocado
Dice the fresh avocado and add shortly before you plan to serve the dip. Once everything is combined, serve with chips, on burritos or however else you see fit. It should keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Find the best tortilla chips for a hefty dip like this.
What Can I Add to Cowboy Caviar?
The beauty of cowboy caviar is that you can add whatever your heart desires. @brialem has created TikTok videos with several renditions of the stuff, so here are a few more ingredients to try:
- Diced peaches (adds sweetness like the mango)
- Cilantro
- Black-eyed peas
- Queso fresco
- Tomatoes
- Peas
- Garlic salt
- Peach juice
- Jalapeno juice
- Canned jalapenos
There’s no wrong answer when it comes to making your own cowboy caviar. Make this recipe your own! Add what you like and leave what you don’t—either way, we know it’s going to be an absolute masterpiece. If you’re looking for more viral recipes, then try TikTok ramen.
Our Best Cowboy-Inspired Recipes
Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies
These hefty cookies have a bit of everything—oats, chocolate chips, coconut flakes and chopped pecans. No wonder the recipe won a Presidential Cookie Bake-Off! —Emily Parulski, St. Francis, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
Cowboy SpaghettiCowboy spaghetti starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven, giving you plenty of hands-off time to prepare a salad, or a dessert for after dinner. If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, transfer the spaghetti mixture to a 13x9-in. baking dish before putting it in the oven. —Kerry Whitaker, Carthage, Texas
Southwest Barley & Lentil SoupMy family makes
cowboy soup every new year for good luck. My mom has been making it since I was little. Over time, we've tweaked it so that all our family and friends love it. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Cowboy CaviarThis cowboy caviar is full of big flavors, with plenty of beans, corn, cilantro, garlic, red onion and lime juice. Serve with sturdy
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Wyoming Cowboy CookiesThese cookies are very popular here in Wyoming. Mix up a batch for your crew and see why. —Patsy Steenbock, Shoshoni, Wyoming
Chicken Tortilla BakeMother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix. —Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
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Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Black Bean Potato au GratinThe addition of black beans and vegetables adds hearty protein and fiber to this cowboy side dish. For a southwestern twist, add a handful or two of chopped cooked ham or chorizo sausage and replace the peas with 1 cup of frozen, thawed corn. —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
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Cowboy StewI made up this cowboy stew in the early 1970s when I was down to very little food in the house. Because it's a combination of barbecue sauce, hamburger, hot dogs and beans, this one-skillet meal makes both children and adults happy. —Val Rananawski, Millville, New Jersey
The Pioneer Woman's Pecan PieWith a hint of crunch on top of a gooey filing, this Pioneer Woman pecan pie is a total classic. Like most of her
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Confetti CornbreadMy grandmother Virginia always served Southwest cornbread. To honor her, I created a recipe that cuts down on the chopping but never skimps on flavor. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee
Saucy Ranch Pork and PotatoesAwhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah
Chuck Wagon Tortilla StackI make this skillet specialty on those nights when I'm craving cowboy food. It's easy to cut and remove the pieces from the pan. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
White Bean Chicken ChiliMy sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Loaded Stuffed Potato PancakesWhen I make mashed potatoes, I always cook extra so I can prepare these over-the-top potato pancakes. Fill them with sour cream, ranch dressing or melted cheese—or all three. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
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Crispy Fried ChickenIf you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
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Easy Potato RollsAfter I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
Enchilada Casser-Ole!My husband loves this casserole, so it never lasts too long in our house. Packed with black beans, cheese, tomatoes and southwestern flavor, it's an impressive-looking entree that's as simple as it is delicious. —Marsha Wills, Homosassa, Florida
Southwestern Sauteed CornMy mother-in-law came up with this corn skillet dish one night for dinner. Everyone who tries this cowboy recipe absolutely loves it! —Chandy Ward, Aumsville, Oregon
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Pioneer Woman’s tater tot casserole recipe.
Cowboy SoupCowboy soup is a hearty main dish perfect for when the weather turns cold. Mix and match ingredients that you have on hand in your pantry. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Also try this
cowboy chicken has the spicy, smoky flavors of the Old West. It's a quick, one-skillet dinner for ranchers—or a hungry family.
Southwest SteakLime juice tenderizes the steak while garlic, chili powder and red pepper flakes kick things up. My husband and I came up with this together as something lighter to make on the grill. —Caroline Shively, Alexandria, Virginia
Chorizo and Eggs RancheroFor a festive Mexican breakfast, we do chorizo and huevos rancheros. Add refried beans and cheddar, and serve everything in bowls made of tortillas. —Paul Williams, Fort Mohave, Arizona
Southwest Kielbasa BowlsHere's our at-home take on restaurant burrito bowls. We start with rice, kielbasa and black beans, then top 'em with salsa, red onion and cilantro. Use a spicier sausage if you want to crank up the heat. —Abby Williamson, Dunedin, Florida
Southwestern Bean DipJust by using different types of beans, you can make this dip as spicy as you like it. My family could eat this as a complete meal. —Jeanne Shear, Sabetha, Kansas
Jalapeno Ranch DipRanch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the western original with green salsa, green chiles, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas
Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread SaladWe love skirt steak in our house. To make it a meal, I created a ranch-inspired bread salad with the best flavor combinations - creamy, tangy, sweet and fresh. — Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Spicy Cowboy ChiliToasting the peppers for this chili releases their earthy flavors—but do wear gloves when handling dried peppers and seeds. — Rachel Sprinkel, Hilo, Hawaii
The Pioneer Woman's Million Dollar DipThis savory dip from Ree Drummond is worth every penny. She combines nuts, bacon and cheese to make this dip a go-to dish for any party. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
School Cafeteria Cowboy BreadThis recipe for cowboy bread reminds us of all the good things about
school lunch. The aroma of cinnamon streusel coffee cake baking in the oven is so nostalgic. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Ree Drummond's Cowboy QuicheDo cowboys really eat quiche? According to The Pioneer Woman, they do—as long as it’s a cowboy quiche. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
Copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy BarkYou can combine rich dark chocolate, nuts, crispy pretzels, buttery toffee and Oreos to make copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark in no time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
