What Is Cowboy Caviar?

What Is Cowboy Caviar Made Of?

Cowboy caviar is full of healthy, nutritious ingredients. It’s made with beans or black-eyed peas, bell pepper, jalapeño peppers, sweetcorn, and tomatoes, and it’s topped with vinaigrette or Italian dressing. There’s some controversy over whether it traditionally includes avocado, but that would certainly be a great complement and add a creamy texture. Cowboy caviar is served cold as an appetizer or chip dip, with a vinaigrette dressing.

Because it’s so quick and easy to put together and you can make it beforehand,
it’s great for parties, barbecues, or family get-togethers. 

Why Do They Call It Cowboy Caviar?

Popular across the American Southwest, cowboy caviar is also known as cowboy salsa or Texas caviar. It’s not clear why it got the name cowboy caviar; however, the dish’s origins in Texas, with its cowboy culture and tradition, are perhaps a clue. Whatever the reason, the name has stuck!

How Healthy Is Cowboy Caviar?

Made with pulses and vegetables, cowboy caviar is high in fibre and packed with vitamins and minerals*. It’s also low-fat, gluten-free, and vegan. The black-eyed peas are a healthy non-meat protein source. If your Texas caviar includes avocado–some versions don’t—you also get the benefits of the fruit’s monounsaturated fats and potassium. Health guidelines recommend eating at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day, and a serving of cowboy caviar more than covers that.

Is Cowboy Caviar the Same as Pico De Gallo?

Pico de gallo is a type of salsa, or dip, that’s typical of Mexican cuisine. It’s often eaten with tacos, nachos, or quesadillas and is made from chopped tomatoes, onion, serrano peppers, salt, lime juice, and fresh coriander.

So, although the two dips have ingredients in common, they’re not the same. Cowboy caviar is made with black-eyed peas instead of the tomatoes used in pico de gallo. What’s more, cowboy caviar has a creamier texture and is sweeter because of the sweetcorn.

A Simple Cowboy Caviar Recipe