If you’re looking for a colorful, healthy, and crowd-pleasing side dish or appetizer, this Cowboy Salad recipe is the perfect choice. Packed with beans, fresh veggies, and Mexican seasonings, it is absolutely irresistible!
My daughter-in-law brought a bowl of this black bean salad to Sunday dinner a few months ago, and we’ve been making it on repeat ever since. She said the original recipe called for olive oil, but she left it out. It’s perfectly delicious without it, and lower in calories. 😊
My family likes to eat it with tortilla chips, but I can eat it just by the bowlful. No matter when I serve it, the entire bowl is gone within minutes. It’s absolutely addicting!
What Is Cowboy Salad?
Cowboy salad, sometimes called cowboy caviar or Texas caviar, is a fresh bean salad that originated in Texas. It typically combines black beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions, lime juice, and seasonings. The result is a refreshing dish that’s packed with flavor, protein, and fiber.
You can serve it with tortilla chips for dipping or enjoy it as a healthy salad on its own. It’s a tasty and easy way to add veggies to your diet!
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, attending a potluck, or simply meal prepping for the week, this easy recipe comes together in minutes and tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle.
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Salad Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.
- Perfect for parties, picnics, and potlucks.
- It can be served as an appetizer or a side dish.
- Packed with fresh vegetables and plant-based protein.
- Great for meal prep since it tastes better the next day.
- Totally adaptable – add or remove any ingredients to fit your family’s taste!
How to make cowboy salad
- PREP – Wash and chop all of the vegetables except the avocado. Juice the lime(s).
- COMBINE – In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients but the avocado. Toss until well combined. If serving immediately, dice and stir in the avocado.
- SERVE – You can serve the salad immediately, let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or chill it for several hours before serving.
VARIATIONS:
- Black-eyed peas or pinto beans can be used instead of black beans.
- Any color of bell peppers can be used. We like red, yellow, and orange, but green will also work.
- Red onion can be used instead of green onions. It’s more pungent, so you will only need 1/4-1/3 cup.
- For a touch of sweetness, you can add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. I recommend whisking it with the lime juice first.
What to serve with this cowboy caviar recipe:
More delicious salad recipes:
Cowboy Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1 cup chopped red pepper
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup sliced green onion
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients but the avocado in a large bowl. Stir together until well combined. Just before serving, stir in the chopped avocado.
- You can either serve it at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
- This salad is perfectly adaptable! You can add or subtract any of the ingredients according to your family’s taste or budget.
- You can store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. (As long as you haven’t added the avocado.)
Nutrition
This easy Cowboy Caviar recipe delivers bold flavors, vibrant colors, and plenty of nutrition in every bite. Whether you’re serving it at a backyard cookout or enjoying it as a healthy snack throughout the week, it’s a recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again!
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