Do you have a party coming up? Try this Texas caviar – a tasty and easy dip filled with all kinds of colorful veggies and beans! This flavorful dish has an added kick comes from spicy tomatoes and Italian dressing.
Have you ever tried Texas caviar, or cowboy caviar as it’s sometimes called?
It’s a popular appetizer, even here in the Midwest. A mix of beans, tomatoes, spicy dressing, and lots of fresh vegetables, Texas caviar is super tasty. It’s hard to believe that it’s really just a few easy ingredients that you throw into a bowl and mix together.
I think that the flavor really improves after a couple of hours in the fridge, but you can just whip this up right before guests arrive as well. It’s delicious no matter what. We love to serve this with corn chip scoops, but you could use regular tortilla chips if you want. And I’ve been know to eat it with a spoon, too! It makes a great little side salad.
If you’re looking for more appetizer recipes, this fresh fruit salsa is delicious, and this vegan spinach dip is always a hit at parties, too.
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Ingredient Notes
- Canned Tomatoes – You can control the spice level by choosing either mild or spicy Rotel Tomatoes. We generally stick with mild, especially if children are going to eat this dip. You can use any brand of canned tomatoes with green chiles that works for your diet.
- Italian Dressing – Italian dressing adds a lot of flavor to this dip. There are many brands to choose from – please read the labels and find a brand that works for you. You could also make your own Italian dressing and use that.
- Beans – Use canned black beans and canned black eyed peas to make this dip quickly and easily.
- Corn – I prefer canned corn for this recipe, but you could use frozen corn. Just thaw and drain it before adding to the dip.
- Peppers – This recipe calls for red and green bell peppers, but you could use any colors of sweet peppers that you like.
- Corn Chips – You can use corn chips like Fritos, or you can use tortilla chips or even potato chips to scoop up this dip!
Step by Step Instructions
- Finely chop the peppers, onions, and celery and place it in a large bowl.
- Drain the black eyed peas, black beans, tomatoes, and corn, and add them to the bowl.
- Add the Italian dressing, and mix everything together. Refrigerate for two hours before serving. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cowboy caviar with:
- The chips of your choice – try tortilla chips, potato chips, or pita chips.
- Turkey Tacos – this would be delicious served in the tacos or on the side.
- These Southwestern Sweet Potato Bowls – this dip would be a great addition to this vegan dish.
- Grilled chicken or grilled fish – spoon this right over the top of your favorite grilled item.
Storage
Store leftover dip in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 5 days.
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Recipe
The Easiest Texas Caviar.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sweet onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 15 ounces canned black eyed peas drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces Rotel tomatoes mild or hot, your choice, drained (you can use any brand of tomatoes with green chiles)
- 1 cup corn kernels drained
- 1 ¼ cups zesty Italian dressing be sure to check the label for your dietary and allergy needs
- corn chips for serving
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients (minus the corn chips) into a large bowl and stir well.
- Refrigerate for about two hours before serving.
- Serve with your favorite corn chips.
Kelly Schueman
The best pot luck recipe out there!
Slooky
Yum! I didn’t have any Rotel tomatoes, surprisingly, I usually have these. I added a 14 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes and a can of green chilies and used Olive Garden Italian dressing and it was delicious!
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you enjoyed it!
Roberta
I add very small pieces of cauliflour to this caviar to give it a little extra crunch and flavor. If you don’t have another use for a whole head, pick up a few pieces from a salad bar. Is really delicious. Rinse and add raw
Peg
What amount is a serving? It doesn’t say that I can see or how many servings in a recipe.
Thanks
Kelly Roenicke
It makes about 8-10 servings!
Darlene
I made this recipe for a party that was for 75% vegans. I’m not vegan but oh my goodness! This is AMAZING! Everyone LOVED it!! I’m making it again in two weeks for the same group of people!
ahli qq
I have read so many posts on the topic of the blogger lovers except this artile is
really a good article, keep it up.
Gay
… what is considered a serving ‘size’’?
Bill Hagy
We use all the same ingredients as this recipe, our dressing is lime juice, sugar or honey to taste, and apple cider vinegar.
Jack Wooten
What proportions do you use for the lime juice, sugar/honey and apple cider vinegar dressing?
Delilah
This recipe is awesome! Neither of us like to cook on Sunday during football season. Instead of pizza & wings I am trying to find alternative healthy snacks. I made this for a Memorial Day party & it was a huge hit! We will definitely be munching on this while watching the games!
Tiffney
Can you tell me what brand zesty Italian dressing you use, please.
Delilah
I used Kraft Zesty Italian
Tiffney Matus
Can you tell me what brand zesty Italian dressing you use, please.
Laura DeForrest
I make this all the time, but my recipe has no tomatoes and instead of Italian dressing it calls for 1/2 cup each of sugar, vinegar and oil melted in a small pan on the stove. It takes on the flavor of the veggies and tastes fantastic!
Susan
This tastes amazing! I added some chopped cilantro and it took the flavor over the top!!!
Kelly Roenicke
Sounds delicious!
Karen DeBoer
Yum! Delightfully delishious looking. Tastes great too. I doubled it because I have another get together tomorrow with different friends and why fuss twice. Thx for sharing.
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you like it! Great idea to double it!
Tabatha
Could I make this 2/3 days in advance?
Kelly
Yes, I think that two days in advance would be fine!
whiskandshout
So delicious and healthy! Love this :)
Kelly
Thank you!
Cadry's Kitchen
What a great idea for an easy and filling Super Bowl appetizer! It’s been way too long since I’ve had Texas caviar.
Kelly
Me too! I had not had it in years. So easy and healthy!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Oh I love the sound of this dip! I think I could dive right into this bowl and devour it all!
Kelly
Me too! :)