Name: Best Ever Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American Southwestern
Ingredients: ½ cup olive oil; ½ cup vegetable oil; ½ cup cider vinegar; ½ cup white sugar; 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

Description

This Best Ever Cowboy Caviar is a vibrant, zesty bean salad bursting with fresh vegetables and a tangy homemade dressing. Combining pinto beans, black-eyed peas, corn, and a medley of crisp veggies tossed in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, this dish is perfect for a quick side or a healthy snack. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s delicious served chilled.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

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

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Instructions

Prepare the dressing: Combine olive oil, vegetable oil, cider vinegar, and white sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then immediately remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. This creates a sweet and tangy vinaigrette that will coat the salad perfectly.
Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, gently 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 evenly mixed.
Toss with dressing: Pour the cooled dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together carefully to evenly coat all the ingredients with the vinaigrette.
Chill and serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the cowboy caviar for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the dressing to meld with the beans and vegetables, making it a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or as a side.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the salad.
Use fresh lime juice instead of cider vinegar for a citrusy twist.
This dish can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors.
Serve with tortilla chips for a hearty appetizer or as a topping for grilled meats.
Be sure to rinse and drain canned beans to reduce sodium content and improve texture.