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Cowboy Caviar

This cowboy caviar dip made with beans, tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, and jalapeños with Italian salad dressing comes together in minutes and develops more flavor as it sits in the fridge. Perfect for picnics, parties, or potlucks.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 3307.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients efficiently.
  • 1 Cutting Board For dicing onion and bell pepper.
  • 1 Chef's knife For precise chopping of vegetables.
  • 1 Can Opener For opening bean and tomato cans.
  • 1 Colander or Fine-Mesh Sieve For thoroughly draining canned ingredients.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 15.5 ounce can black beans, drained
  • 1 15.5 ounce can black-eyed peas, drained
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels thawed
  • ½ medium onion diced
  • ¼ medium green bell pepper finely chopped
  • ½ cup chopped pickled jalapeño peppers
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 cup Italian salad dressing
  • ¾ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Allrecipes/Qi Ai
  • Mix black beans, black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño peppers together in a large bowl. Allrecipes/Qi Ai
  • Season with garlic salt, then pour in Italian salad dressing and add cilantro. Mix until well coated. Allrecipes/Qi Ai
  • Refrigerate until flavors have melded, at least 20 minutes or up to 3 days, before serving. Allrecipes/Qi Ai

Notes

Ensure all canned ingredients are very well-drained to prevent a watery dip. For optimal flavor development, allow the cowboy caviar to meld in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. A quality Italian dressing makes a significant difference; consider a homemade version for enhanced freshness. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, briefly char the corn kernels before adding them. Serve chilled with sturdy tortilla chips, as a side dish for grilled meats, or as a vibrant topping for tacos or salads. Adjust jalapeño quantity to preferred spice level.