Description
This Best Ever Cowboy Caviar is a vibrant, tangy, and hearty bean salad featuring a mix of pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and sweet corn tossed with fresh vegetables and a zesty, sweet vinaigrette. Perfect as a refreshing appetizer, side dish, or light meal, it’s best served chilled and packed with bold flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Vinaigrette
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- ½ cup white sugar
Salad
- 1 (14 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 (11 ounce) can white shoepeg corn, drained
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil, vegetable oil, cider vinegar, and white sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature to develop the flavors and dissolve the sugar.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, stir together the rinsed and drained pinto beans, black-eyed peas, white shoepeg corn, chopped red onion, celery, red bell pepper, and chopped cilantro until well combined, ensuring even distribution of all ingredients.
- Toss salad with vinaigrette: Pour the cooled oil and vinegar mixture over the bean and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the cowboy caviar for at least 1 hour before serving. This enhances the flavors and provides the best texture. Serve chilled as a flavorful side dish or appetizer.
Notes
- For a spicier twist, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- You can substitute cider vinegar with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Use fresh corn when in season instead of canned for a sweeter crunch.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten free.
