I’m Not Sure How Many Cowboys Eat This Caviar
My oldest daughter turned me on to Cowboy Caviar or Vegan Caviar as she calls it. I never heard of it but when I did a search I was shocked at how popular the dish is. Especially on TikTok.
Most of the recipes I’ve seen online include black-eyed peas and black beans but my daughter’s had neither. That’s what I like about this concept, you can add just about anything you want or have lying around in the kitchen or refrigerator.
In fact, at the end of the recipe, I’ll post a version of Cowboy Caviar. I guess if you make your own you can call it anything you want but let’s look at where it first came from and how it obtained its name.
Why Cowboy Caviar?
Cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar, is a type of dip or salad made with a mixture of black-eyed peas, corn, and a variety of diced vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos. It is typically seasoned with a dressing made with vinegar, oil, and a variety of herbs and spices, such as cumin, chili powder, and garlic.
Cowboy caviar is a popular dish in the southern United States, particularly in Texas. It is often served as an appetizer or side dish and is a common component of barbecue spreads and potlucks. It can be served on its own or used as a topping for a variety of dishes, such as tacos, nachos, and sandwiches.
Cowboy caviar is often hailed as a healthy dish due to its high fiber and protein content. It is also low in fat and calories, making it a good choice for those looking to watch their intake of these nutrients.
Overall, cowboy caviar is a tasty and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. Its combination of flavors and textures makes it a crowd-pleaser, and its healthy attributes make it a great choice for those looking to make healthier food choices.
Who Invented Cowboy Caviar?
It is difficult to determine the exact origin of cowboy caviar, as the dish has evolved over time and has been influenced by a variety of cultural and culinary traditions. However, cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar, is often associated with the southern United States, particularly Texas.
It is likely that the dish was created by combining elements of Tex-Mex cuisine, which blends Mexican and American flavors and ingredients, with traditional southern dishes, such as black-eyed peas and corn.
The term “caviar” was likely added to the name of the dish as a way to distinguish it from other types of dips and salads made with similar ingredients. Cowboy caviar is sometimes referred to as a “poor man’s caviar,” due to the fact that it is made with more affordable ingredients than traditional caviar, which is made from the roe of sturgeon fish and is quite expensive.
Overall, the exact origins of cowboy caviar are somewhat murky, but it is clear that the dish has been influenced by a variety of cultural and culinary traditions and has evolved over time.
What To Serve Cowboy Caviar With?
My daughter made a batch to serve on rice pilaf but that night we served it with swordfish. It was delicious and I must say, had quite the kick to it. You can regulate the kick by the amount of jalapeños you add.
You can serve it with crackers or as a dip with tortilla chips or serve it with any dish you might serve with a tasty salsa. Besides fish, I can see this being served as a side dish for grilled chicken or pork.
I’ve read, some folks like to serve it with lettuce and make a salad. Sounds good to me. How about mixed with quinoa or couscous. I think the number of applications are endless.
Cowboy Caviar
This is just one version of Cowboy Caviar, but feel free to change the ingredients to suit your personal tastes.
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can black-eyed peas drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 orange bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- ½ cup fresh scallions chopped
- ½ cup tomatoes diced
Instructions
-
In a large bowl, combine the black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, bell peppers, onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, scallions, and tomatoes.
15 ounce can black-eyed peas, 15 ounce can black beans, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 red bell pepper, 1 orange bell pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper, ½ cup fresh cilantro, ½ cup fresh scallions, ½ cup tomatoes
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup red wine vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat.
-
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
-
Serve the cowboy caviar chilled or at room temperature, with tortilla chips or veggies for dipping.
Notes
This recipe makes about 6 cups of cowboy caviar, which is enough to serve 8-10 people as an appetizer. You can adjust the ingredients to your taste, adding more or less of any of the vegetables or spices as desired.
Cowboy caviar can be served as a dip or as a topping for tacos, nachos, sandwiches, or any other dish where you want to add some flavor and crunch. Enjoy!