Cowboy Caviar Bean Salad (Print Version)

Colorful bean and veggie salad with zesty lime dressing. Great for dips, sides, or toppings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 (15 oz) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
04 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
09 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
12 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, black-eyed peas, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, bell peppers, jalapeño, and cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, ground cumin, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the bean and vegetable mixture. Gently toss to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop.
05 - Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside tortilla chips or as an accompaniment to grilled proteins.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It gets better as it sits, so you can make it hours or even a day ahead without losing any of the vibrant flavor.
  • Every bite has a different texture, from creamy beans to crisp peppers and juicy tomatoes.
  • You can serve it a dozen ways and it works every time, whether as a dip, salad, or taco filling.
  • Theres no cooking involved, which means you stay cool even when the kitchen is sweltering.
02 -
  • Rinse those canned beans thoroughly or the liquid will cloud your dressing and dull the bright flavors.
  • Dont skip the chilling time, the salad tastes flat and one note if you serve it right away.
  • If youre making this a day ahead, add the cilantro and any avocado just before serving so they stay fresh and green.
03 -
  • Toast your cumin in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding it to the dressing, it brings out a deeper, nuttier flavor.
  • If youre serving this at a party, set out a bowl of extra lime wedges so people can add a squeeze if they want more brightness.
  • Dice everything roughly the same size so each bite has a little bit of everything instead of big chunks and tiny bits.
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