The hardest part about cowboy caviar is deciding what to call it. The second hardest part is chopping all the vegetables.
The hack to both is to just get started so it’s ready to eat faster and enjoy!
While the most popular name for this is cowboy caviar, some people do call it Texas caviar and others just say black eyed pea salad. Any which way you say it, it’s a rainbow of colors in a bowl packed with flavor, nutrients, and freshness!
What is Cowboy Caviar Salad?
This salad actually originated by Chef Helen Corbitt when she was trying to figure out a way to serve black eyes peas for an event – what she made was called pickled black eyed peas.
Eventually she created something similar to what is shown here and people at the event called it Texas Caviar.
Her original recipe had black eyed peas, salad oil, wine vinegar, garlic, onions, salt and pepper.
Why You’ll Love This Black Eyed Pea Salad Recipe
- Pantry Friendly – This recipe is mostly ingredients that people keep on hand all the time or can be swapped for what you do have making it amazing to make all the time
- Meal Prep Friendly – this recipe only gets better as it sits and allows the flavors to merry together and lasts for up to 4-5 days in the fridge which makes it a great option to eat all week long
- Flavorful – You won’t believe how much flavor you get out of these simple ingredients and when all combined are something incredible
Cowboy Caviar Ingredients
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Gather your ingredients! See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
- Black Eyes Peas
- Bell Peppers
- Red and Green Onions
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Dressing Ingredients
- Spices
Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe Variations
Feel free to switch up the seasoning blend! Some fun ones could be:
- taco seasoning
- bbq seasoning
- curry seasoning
- Italian herb blend
You can also switch up the vegetables or beans. Try white beans, red, pinto, or black.
Other additions could be:
- cauliflower
- broccoli
- carrots
- celery
- brussels sprouts
- mushrooms (crispy ones would be so fun!)
- squash
- asparagus
- green beans
- edamame
You will want to keep in mind things like squash or asparagus will need to be cooked first.
How to Serve Texas Caviar
Truly, you don’t need to have anything with this salad. It’s pack with so many wonderful ingredients that it’s a full meal all on it’s own.
That being said, as an appetizer you could go with tortilla chips or pita chips.
For a meal prep lunch option I like crackers or even lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine hearts are my go to ideas). Alternatively, tortilla shells work great too.
Other must try vegan salad dishes:
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Easy Black Eyed Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 30 ounces black-eyed peas, cooked (canned or made from scratch)
- 3 medium bell peppers chopped (prefer different colors)
- 4 mini cucumbers, chopped (sub for English cucumber)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 15 ounces sweet corn, drained and rinsed
- ½ red onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Zest from 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon vegan worcestershire sauce, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup Green onions for top, optional
Instructions
- Add all your ingredients into a large bowl and stir together well. Can eat immediately or cover and allow flavors to develop overnight. Best used within 4 days. Serve with chips, crackers or in lettuce wraps.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions:
This recipe will last up to 4-5 days in the fridge when made as instructed. After that the cucumbers start to break down to much for it to remain at peak deliciousness.
Yes! Double check the vegan worcestershire you use, otherwise, it’s Top 9 allergen friendly.
Of course, recommendations would be another can of beans or chickpeas, cubed tofu, edamame, cooked lentils, grains like quinoa or barley, and/or nuts like cashews or almonds.
I made this recipe for dinner tonight not realizing it should sit overnight for flavor. I cooked everything over medium hot heat and it turned out delicious. Never disappoints
So glad you enjoyed it Liz!
It was so easy, quick and ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
Thank you!!! So happy to know that this recipe was a hit for you!
Made this for a dinner party. It was fun chopping ingredients with friends and everyone loved it. We served it with homeade tortilla chips. People are asking when we can make this again.
This is awesome to hear! Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try. We’re happy to know that everyone enjoyed it!
Five stars for giving me a way to enjoy black eyed peas. They are not my favorite bean. I used some refrigerator pickles and onions instead of the cucumbers in my salad. I then added one tablespoon of syrup to the dressing to balance my pickle flavor. It was a darn good salad.
So glad you finally found a way to enjoy them!
Quick, fresh, and delicious!
Thanks so much!
I added a couple more types of beans, because I had them. And more protein 😋. Loved the oil/vinegar/spice combo. I’ll be eating on this all week, on its own, or over quinoa. Delicious! Adding to my menu rotation. Thank you!!!
You’re so welcome!