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.

A bowl of cowboy caviar made with beans, onion, tomatoes, corn, fresh avocado, lime juice, and salt and pepper.

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.

Two images of corn and beans being drained and rinsed in a colander, then a bowl with tomatoes and chopped onion added.

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.

Two images showing fresh avocado and cilantro dumped on top of easy cowboy salsa, then someone scooping some up with a chip.

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:

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Recipe

Cowboy Caviar in a white serving bowl with chips, sliced limes, and a spoon around it.
Prep 10 minutes
Total 10 minutes
Save Recipe

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

Make Ahead Instructions: ingredients and store them separately (leaving the avocado unpeeled). Then, when you are ready to serve the cowboy caviar, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and add the fresh avocado. Store leftover cowboy caviar in the fridge for 2-3 days.
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 247mgPotassium: 408mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 296IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg

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I originally shared this recipe August 2014. Updated June 2019 and August 2024.

This post contains affiliate links.

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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5 from 55 votes (48 ratings without comment)
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Kellie
5 months ago

5 stars
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.

chelsea.morin346@gmail.com
1 year ago

Like the recipe. Its basically ceviche with black beans.

Martha H
1 year ago

Is this recipe too heavy to be used as a small side salad/dish? As on a three salad luncheon plate for example.
Thanks

John Rhoe
1 year ago

5 stars
This good for my Sissy Frances too!

Brian Kelly
2 years ago

5 stars
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.

Valerie Park
2 years ago

5 stars
Love that cowboy caviar! Actually I really have enjoyed all your recipes and so have my family when Ihave shared them!

Deborah
4 years ago

5 stars
my guests loved it