Description
Cowboy caviar brings southwestern zest to your summer table with a colorful medley of black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables. Crisp, tangy, and packed with protein, this easy-to-make dish will become your go-to crowd-pleaser for gatherings and picnics.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 2 cups black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
vegetables and herbs:
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
dressing and seasoning:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare all vegetables by thoroughly draining black beans, corn, and chopping tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, cilantro, and jalapeños into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic in a separate mixing bowl to create a vibrant, zesty dressing.
- Combine all chopped vegetables and beans in a large serving bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture, gently folding to coat every ingredient with the tangy seasoning.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify at a cool 40°F.
- Before serving, give the cowboy caviar a final gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and release the fresh herb aromatics.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing salsa, side dish, or robust dip with tortilla chips, ensuring each serving captures the colorful medley of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Drain vegetables completely to prevent watery texture and maintain crisp, fresh consistency in the dish.
- Chop ingredients uniformly to ensure balanced flavor distribution and attractive visual presentation.
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeño seeds for milder version or adding extra for heat lovers.
- Refrigeration time matters: minimum 30 minutes allows flavors to blend, but can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead for deeper taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg