Texas Caviar Recipe

Texas Caviar is a bold, flavorful dish that combines a mix of black-eyed peas, beans, and colorful vegetables, all tossed in a tangy, zesty dressing. This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving it as a dip with tortilla chips or as a side to grilled meats. It’s a true crowd-pleaser with its fresh, crisp vegetables and the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Texas Caviar is incredibly versatile — you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste, making it a perfect dish for everyone at the table. If you love vibrant, refreshing flavors, this dish is just what you need. Not a fan of cilantro or jalapeños? Feel free to omit them, and it will still be a delicious and satisfying salad. Whether you serve it at a BBQ, picnic, or family gathering, Texas Caviar will quickly become a favorite!

Necessary Kitchen Equipment:

• Mixing bowls (large for salad, small for dressing)
• Measuring spoons
• Spoon or whisk (for mixing)
• Knife and cutting board (for chopping vegetables)
• Can opener (for beans and corn)

Overview of Ingredients:

Texas Caviar features a colorful combination of black-eyed peas, corn, bell peppers, and onions, all dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. The dressing, made from olive oil, vinegar, and a variety of seasonings, gives the salad its signature bold flavor. Add-ins like jalapeños, cilantro, and garlic take it to the next level with a perfect kick of spice and freshness.

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (optional, for heat)

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (or lemon juice)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (or honey)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Dice the red and green bell peppers, finely chop the red onion, and mince the jalapeños (if using). Chop the cilantro (if using) and set everything aside in a large mixing bowl.
2. Prepare the Beans and Corn: Open the cans of black-eyed peas, black beans, and corn. Drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove excess salt and preserve the fresh flavor. Add the beans and corn to the bowl with the vegetables.
3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more lime or sugar if you like it sweeter or more tangy.
4. Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the beans and vegetables and toss everything together until evenly coated. Make sure all the ingredients are well mixed and the dressing is evenly distributed.
5. Chill and Serve: For best results, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the Texas Caviar for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Recipe Tips:

• Adjusting the Spice: If you prefer a milder version, reduce or omit the jalapeños and chili powder. For a spicier kick, add more jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing.
• Customizing the Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like diced tomatoes, avocado, or even cucumber to the mix for more texture and flavor.
• Make it Sweeter: If you enjoy a sweeter flavor, increase the amount of sugar or honey in the dressing to your taste.
• Serve it as a Dip: Texas Caviar is often served with tortilla chips as a dip, but it also works wonderfully as a side dish for grilled meats, tacos, or even as a topping for a salad.

What to Serve with This Recipe:

Texas Caviar makes a great dip for tortilla chips or can be served as a refreshing side dish with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. It pairs wonderfully with other BBQ or picnic dishes like coleslaw, potato salad, or cornbread. You can also serve it with tacos, fajitas, or as part of a Tex-Mex feast.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use fresh beans instead of canned? Yes, you can use cooked fresh black-eyed peas and black beans in place of canned beans. Just make sure they’re fully cooked and drained before adding them to the salad.
2. Can I make Texas Caviar ahead of time? Absolutely! Texas Caviar tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together. You can make it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Can I use frozen corn? Yes, frozen corn works just as well as canned corn. Just thaw and drain it before adding it to the salad.
4. What can I serve Texas Caviar with besides chips? Besides tortilla chips, Texas Caviar makes a great side dish for BBQ, grilled meats, or a topping for salads and tacos.

Equipment:

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Spoon or whisk
• Knife and cutting board
• Can opener

Ingredients:

• Black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, jalapeños
• Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare vegetables and beans.
2. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
3. Toss the salad with the dressing.
4. Chill for 30 minutes and serve.

Notes:

Texas Caviar is a versatile and flavorful dish that works as both a dip and a side salad. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a casual meal, it’s sure to impress with its vibrant colors and bold flavors. Enjoy it with chips, on tacos, or alongside your favorite grilled dishes for the perfect combination of taste and freshness.

Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar is a bold, flavorful dish that combines a mix of black-eyed peas, beans, and colorful vegetables, all tossed in a tangy, zesty dressing. This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you're serving it as a dip with tortilla chips or as a side to grilled meats. It’s a true crowd-pleaser with its fresh,

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Equipment

• Mixing bowls (large for salad, small for dressing)
• Measuring spoons
• Spoon or whisk (for mixing)
• Knife and cutting board (for chopping vegetables)
• Can opener (for beans and corn)

Ingredients

  

• For the salad:
• 1 can 15 oz black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 15 oz corn kernels, drained
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1/2 red onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
• 1-2 jalapeños seeded and minced (optional, for heat)
• For the dressing:
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Vegetables: Dice the red and green bell peppers, finely chop the red onion, and mince the jalapeños (if using). Chop the cilantro (if using) and set everything aside in a large mixing bowl.
• Prepare the Beans and Corn: Open the cans of black-eyed peas, black beans, and corn. Drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove excess salt and preserve the fresh flavor. Add the beans and corn to the bowl with the vegetables.
• Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more lime or sugar if you like it sweeter or more tangy.
• Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the beans and vegetables and toss everything together until evenly coated. Make sure all the ingredients are well mixed and the dressing is evenly distributed.
• Chill and Serve: For best results, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the Texas Caviar for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Notes

Texas Caviar is a versatile and flavorful dish that works as both a dip and a side salad. Whether you're hosting a party or enjoying a casual meal