Our easy Cowboy Caviar recipe is the ultimate fresh, healthy side dish that pairs with anything. It’s budget friendly and only takes 10-minutes to make.
If you love this dip recipe, make sure to try 7-Layer Dip, Hummus, Pimento Cheese Dip, or Easy Homemade Salsa.

Budget-Friendly, Crowd-Approved: Saddle Up for the Easiest Cowboy Caviar.
Our easy Cowboy Caviar recipe is a staple from my childhood. We called it Cowboy Salsa growing up, and I know it’s also called Texas Caviar, since it originated in Texas. Bottom line, you wont find an easier, healthier recipe that’s this budget friendly. It’s a perfect game day food, or side dish for a BBQ or potluck with a bag of chips.
How to make Cowboy Caviar:
Rinse Beans: Drain and rinse beans and corn and add to a large serving bowl with chopped tomatoes, and onion.

Combine: Add avocado and cilantro and squeeze fresh lime juice on top with a pinch of salt, to taste. Stir and serve with your favorite chips.

Make Ahead Instructions:
Chop the onion and cilantro, rinse the beans, but keep all the ingredients separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Don’t cut and slice avocado until ready to serve. When you’re ready to serve, combine all ingredients in a bowl and add fresh avocado, lime juice, and salt. Store leftover cowboy salsa in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Recipe Variations:
- Cheese: Add crumbly cheese like feta or gorgonzola, or small chunks of cheddar or mozzarella.
- Beans: Use whatever beans you have on hand and they will substitute fine.
- Veggies: Toss in some shredded carrot or diced cucumber or celery if you want extra veggies.
- Flavor Twist: Add some Italian dressing, to give a different flavor.
More Appetizers to Try:
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Deviled Eggs
- Pizza Sliders
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Pepper Jelly
- Easy Homemade Crab Cakes
- Easy Shrimp Cocktail
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Recipe

Cowboy Caviar
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can pinto beans , (or 2 cans if you want more bean), drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can corn , drained
- 6-8 Roma tomatoes , diced
- 1/2 large sweet onion , diced
- 2 avocados , peeled, seeded and diced
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro , finely chopped
- 3 small limes, juiced
- sea salt , to taste
- Tortilla Chips , for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Combine: In a large bowl combine beans, corn, tomatoes, and onion. Stir in avocados and cilantro.
- Season: Squeeze lime juice into the bowl and add a pinch of sea salt. Stir to combine. Add more sea salt, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Cheese: Add crumbly cheese like feta or gorgonzola, or small chunks of cheddar or mozzarella.
- Beans: Use whatever beans you have on hand and they will substitute fine.
- Veggies: Toss in some shredded carrot or diced cucumber or celery if you want extra veggies.
- Flavor Twist: Add some Italian dressing, to give a different flavor.
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe August 2014. Updated June 2019 and August 2024.
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This sounded good so I made it for a family get-together. It was a huge success. Several people took this recipe home with them. My family really likes your recipes, this was one of our favorites.
Like the recipe. Its basically ceviche with black beans.
Is this recipe too heavy to be used as a small side salad/dish? As on a three salad luncheon plate for example.
Thanks
This good for my Sissy Frances too!
My wife’s favorite snack. Quick and easy with colors that look great. We like to and orange and yellow peppers for extra flavor and color.
Love that cowboy caviar! Actually I really have enjoyed all your recipes and so have my family when Ihave shared them!
my guests loved it