Cowboy Caviar is an easy, fresh and flavorful dip made with black-eyed peas, hominy, and veggies all tossed in your favorite salsa. Endlessly adaptable, it’s the perfect tasty, light, make-ahead dip for any party or gathering!

Cowboy Caviar mixed in a large bowl with a spoon and tortilla chip

Cowboy Caviar is also known as Texas Caviar or simply black-eyed pea salad and can be a dip, salad topping, relish, side dish, you name it! It’s zesty and colorful with a kick of spice. It’s a must at any Texas barbecue and is sure to become a favorite. Every time I whip up Cowboy Caviar, my family just can’t seem to get enough!

How Do You Make Cowboy Caviar?

This recipe could not be easier! Simply toss black-eyed peas, hominy, red bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño in your favorite salsa. Perfect for throwing together on a whim! Cowboy Caviar takes just a few minutes of veggie chopping and can opening, stir it all together and dig in!

fresh veggies on a wooden cutting board

Tips 

  • This is a great make-ahead recipe! You can make this up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it.
  • If you’re not a fan of black-eyed peas, try using any other type of beans. Black beans and pinto beans work great.
  • I know there are a lot of cilantro haters out there! If you think cilantro tastes like soap, leave it out or use minced chives or parsley instead.
  • Hominy is corn that has been processed in such a way to make it meatier and more bean-like. You can swap it out with regular corn kernels if you’d like.
  • Cowboy caviar can be served so many ways! We love it as a dip with tortilla chips. It’s also great as a salad topping or side dish.
  • This recipe keeps about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Variations

Cowboy caviar is one of those recipes that has an endless amount of variations. There are so many tasty ways to customize it with your favorite flavors and with what ingredients you have available.

  • Give it a boost of protein by adding about a cup of diced cooked chicken or small shrimp.
  • Bacon makes everything better! Try stirring in about 1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon right before serving.
  • You can alter the spiciness of this dip by the amount of seeds you leave in the jalapeño and with what salsa you choose to use.
  • Other delicious mix-ins to try: Add 1/3 cup of crumbled feta or cotija cheese. Or add 1 chopped avocado.

mixing all of the ingredients for cowboy caviar in a large bowl with a spoon

Can You Freeze Cowboy Caviar?

I don’t recommend freezing this dip, but you can use the leftovers so many ways! Throw it on top of fried or scrambled eggs, toss it in a green salad, or spoon it over grilled chicken or steak.

I love a hearty dip, and this colorful cowboy caviar never disappoints. I make this cowboy caviar as an appetizer, side dish, and it’s perfect to bring to a potluck or party. Once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself wanting to make it again and again!

Other Dip Recipes To Try

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Best Damn Salsa

Smoked Salmon Dip

Best Guacamole Recipe

I’d love to know if you make this (or any) recipe! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Tag @kimscravings on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Cowboy Caviar with black-eyed peas and veggies in a large bowl

Cowboy Caviar mixed in a large bowl with a spoon and tortilla chip
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Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar is an easy, fresh and flavorful dip made with black-eyed peas, hominy, and veggies all tossed in your favorite salsa. Endlessly adaptable, it's the perfect tasty, light, make-ahead dip for any party or gathering!
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 1 (14 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can white hominy drained (corn can be used instead)
  • 1 green or red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes, seeded & chopped
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1-2 fresh jalapeños, seeded or not (I used 1 seeded jalapeño)
  • 1 cup salsa (use your favorite)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste, as needed

Instructions 

  • Drain, chop, mince, seed all ingredients and then combine everything in a large bowl. Serve with your favorite crackers or chips or as a topping or side salad.

Notes

For the best flavor, I recommend covering and refrigerating overnight or several hours before serving. This recipe keeps well for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
 
 
Photos by Danielle from Our Salty Kitchen.
Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 17kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 322mg, Potassium: 139mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 341IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

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