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Best Texas Caviar Recipe: Fresh Cowboy Caviar with Black Beans and Corn

Best Texas Caviar Recipe

This no-cook Texas caviar combines beans, corn, crisp vegetables, cilantro, and avocado in a zesty lime and red wine vinegar dressing. Chill the dressed mixture before adding avocado for the freshest flavor and best texture.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 1 15-ounce can Black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can Black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups Whole-kernel corn, drained, or thawed frozen corn
  • 1 medium Red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 medium Red onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium Jalapeno, seeded and finely minced
  • 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 large Avocado, diced
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup Olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Drain and rinse the black beans and black-eyed peas thoroughly, then drain the corn well. Add the beans, peas, corn, bell peppers, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, sugar, cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until the dressing is blended. Pour it over the bean mixture and toss gently.
  3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressed mixture for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour when convenient. This resting time allows the beans and vegetables to absorb the lime, vinegar, and spices.
  4. Dice the avocado shortly before serving and fold it into the chilled Texas caviar. Taste and adjust with more salt, lime juice, or minced jalapeno as needed, then serve with tortilla chips.

Notes

Thoroughly rinse and drain the canned ingredients so the dressing stays bright instead of watery. Add avocado immediately before serving to help prevent browning and breaking down.