Texas Caviar

If traditional caviar brings to mind stuffy cocktail parties, Texas caviar dip is the opposite. It’s welcome at the most raucous tailgates, down-home potlucks, all-day picnics and late-night snack spreads. Like all of our favorite party appetizers, it’s a crowd-pleaser: versatile, unfussy and packed with flavor. Simply toss a big bowl of beans, vegetables and avocado in a lime-spiked dressing and tear open a big bag of tortilla chips. Here’s how to make it, plus infinite ways to change it up a Texas caviar recipe.

What is Texas caviar?

Don’t expect this recipe to resemble real caviar (the salt-cured roe, or eggs, of wild sturgeon). Texas caviar is more like a cross between fresh salsa, bean salad and dip. Recipes tend to be as unique and varied as the cooks who make them, but they almost always contain beans, corn, tomato and onions, usually tossed together with a zippy vinaigrette. You might hear it called cowboy caviar, and it would taste delicious alongside any of our favorite cowboy recipes.

Ingredients for Texas Caviar

• Black-eyed peas: Our Texas caviar recipe is fairly simple and calls for one can of black-eyed peas. If you want to experiment, try using black beans or pinto beans instead of (or in addition to) black-eyed peas. You can use homemade beans, if you prefer.
• Canned tomatoes and green chiles: Like most salsas, this dip is loaded with tomatoes! We suggest using diced tomatoes with green chiles to add a little heat, but you can use plain canned tomatoes if you’re not keen on spice. Or, feel free to use chopped fresh tomatoes instead.
• Chopped green pepper and red onion: Fresh vegetables add crunch to the dip. Any color of onion or pepper works, even spicy peppers like jalapeno.
• Corn: You can use fresh or frozen corn in this recipe. Use shoepeg corn if you can find it. Its sweetness strikes a tasty contrast to the savory Texas caviar.
• Italian salad dressing: Use one of our picks for best Italian dressing brands, or make a quick homemade Italian dressing.
• Lime juice: Complement the Southwestern flavors of the salad by adding a squeeze of lime to the dressing. The rich beans can stand up to the extra acid.
• Avocado: Chunks of fresh, creamy avocado create a delicious textural contrast in this dip.
• Tortilla chips: Cowboy caviar is almost always served with chips as an appetizer.

Directions

Step 1: Toss the vegetables

In a large bowl, combine the peas, tomatoes, green pepper, corn and onion.

Step 2: Mix the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk the dressing, lime juice, salt and pepper.

Step 3: Combine and chill

Pour the dressing over the black-eyed pea mixture and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Step 4: Add avocado and eat!

Stir in avocado just before serving. Serve with chips.

Editor’s Tip: Adding the avocado at the last minute prevents it from getting mushy and discolored.

Recipe Variations

• Add herbs and spices: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the dip to give it a fresh finish. Or add a dash of smoked paprika, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder or cayenne pepper to give the dip a more complex flavor.
• Change up the vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, jalapenos or canned chipotles in adobo sauce would be delicious, either in place of or in addition to the fresh veggies in the recipe. The only trick is to cut everything roughly the same size as the beans so each scoop includes a variety of flavors and colors.
• Dial up the heat: Stir in a splash of your favorite hot sauce or a spoonful of spicy salsa.
• Add cheese: Stir in crumbled feta, cotija or a scoop of goat cheese just before serving.

Can you make Texas caviar ahead of time?

Texas caviar is a wonderful make-ahead appetizer recipe. The flavor actually improves as the dip sits, allowing the flavors of the vegetables, dressing and seasonings to develop and meld together. Make it the night before, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring the dip to room temperature before eating, and add the avocado just before serving.

How to Store Texas Caviar

Store leftover Texas caviar dip in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to three days, though the vegetables will soften a bit as they sit. The avocado will turn an off-putting brown color, but it will still taste great. If the flavors have dulled, add a squeeze of lime juice or a dash of dressing.

Texas Caviar Tips

What are the best beans for Texas caviar?

Black-eyed peas are the traditional choice for Texas caviar, but the dish can be made with any type of bean. For a colorful contrast, use a combination of black-eyed peas and black beans, or change it up with pinto beans, navy beans or cannellini beans. You can even use heirloom varieties like mayacoba beans.

What can you serve with Texas caviar?

Tortilla chips are the classic pairing with Texas caviar, whether you use our favorite tortilla chip brands or get extra credit by making homemade tortilla chips. For a fun change of pace, pair this tasty dip with crackers or spoon the dip over thick slabs of Texas toast garlic bread.