Colorful and crunchy, corn and bean salsa has earned its reputation as Texas caviar!
Beans, peas, corn, celery, and green peppers are marinated in a tangy dressing and chilled until ready to serve!
Double up the recipe because once you try it, you’ll want to use it on everything. It also makes lovely hostess gifts packed in small clear jars with a ribbon.
What is Texas Caviar?
- Also known as cowboy caviar or even redneck caviar, it is similar to Trader Joe’s Bean Salad, but this one can be made at home with the same ingredients
- It’s delicious and budget friendly! Use up leftover garden veggies or toss in leftover salsa!
- This easy recipe is becoming a staple healthy salad that tastes delicious and is great as a dip with corn chips, too!
- Just like the recipe for cowboy caviar, beans, black-eyed peas, corn, and red onions are the stars. But this dressing for this recipe has fewer ingredients and the possibilities for extras are limitless!
Ingredients & Variations
Beans & Peas – Pinto beans and black-eyed peas offer color, texture, and flavor. Great Northern beans (aka white beans), black beans, and even a can of regular peas can also be used. Be sure to drain and rinse any canned items before using.
Vegetables – The secret to this recipe is fine-dicing the ingredients! Celery, bell peppers, and onions should be cut as small as the beans and corn so every spoonful has a little bit of everything on it! Toss in some diced tomatoes and avocados for more flavor and a creamy texture.
Dressing – If you want to serve Texas caviar right away, make the dressing in advance so it’s extra cold. Apple cider vinegar is sweeter than white vinegar, but rice vinegar or balsamic can be used. If time is extra short, simply toss the caviar ingredients with a few splashes of Italian vinaigrette dressing and call it good!
How to Make Texas Caviar
- Prepare the dressing as directed in the recipe below.
- Let it come to room temperature before adding to the drained cans of beans, corn, celery, onion, and green pepper.
- For best results, season and refrigerate at least an hour before serving.
How to Serve
Use Texas caviar as a dip for chips or crackers, or pile it high on a bed of lettuce for a healthy salad topper. It’s also great scooped into tacos or burritos, and absolutely fabulous on an air fryer burger. Mix some into your eggs to make a southwestern scramble or omelet.
How Long Does it Last?
Keep leftover Texas caviar in a covered container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Drain the caviar and refresh the flavors with a squirt of lemon juice and a dash of salt before serving. Texas caviar can be frozen but will not have a firm texture once it’s thawed. But it’s so easy to make, just start fresh!
More Bean Recipes
Texas Caviar
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1 can black eyed peas
- 1 can sweet white corn
- 1 cup celery finely chopped
- 1 cup green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 small onion diced
- ½ teaspoon ground black or white pepper
Instructions
- Combine the oil, apple cider vinegar, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer. Cook for approximately 1-2 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Add the cans black-eyed peas, pinto beans, and corn into a strainer to drain. Rinse with cool water.
- Combine the washed pinto beans, black eyes peas, and corn with the celery, bell pepper, and onion in a large mixing bowl. Add the pepper and stir well.
- Pour the vinegar marinade over the vegetable and bean mixture. Stir well.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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