The Gunny Sack

Cowboy Caviar Cups

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This easy appetizer recipe for Cowboy Caviar, aka Southwest Black Bean salad, is fun to serve in little tortilla chip cups. This healthy dip has lots of protein and fiber!

Cowboy Caviar Cups

A few years ago, while I was at the dentist in the waiting room during my kids’ appointments, I was visiting with the receptionist and she introduced me to Cowboy Caviar. She told me that she was bringing it to a family get together and I told her I had never heard of it.

She explained that it was so easy to make and it could be used as a salad, a side dish, a snack or an appetizer. I asked her to write down the recipe and she told me that there isn’t really a recipe. She explained that everyone has their own way of making it but the base of most recipes is beans, corn, onions and tomatoes.

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Easy Appetizer RecipeSo, I figured out a recipe and I’ve been making it ever since then. Although the salad is meant to share, I like making cowboy caviar and having it in the fridge so that I can eat it for lunch during the week. It is really filling with lots of fiber and protein.

easy cowboy caviar

To make this salad the size and brands were: 15 ounce can Bush’s Best Black Bean, a 15.8 ounce can Bush’s Best Blackeye Peas, a 15.2 ounce can Del Monte Southwest Corn with Poblano and Red Peppers, a 10 ounce can Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, and 1/2 cup of Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing (16 oz bottle).

cowboy caviar recipe

Mix everything together and season with salt and pepper.

Southwest Salad Recipe

I bought some baked tortilla chips that are shaped like little cups (I used baked Tostitos Scoops but you can also use the original Tostitos Scoops) and realized that they would be perfect for serving cowboy caviar at a party. This is an easy finger food that people can just pop into their mouths! Just don’t fill the cups too early or they will get soggy.

5 from 1 vote
Cowboy Caviar Cups
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Cowboy Caviar Cups ~ An Easy Appetizer Recipe
Course: Appetizer
Author: The Gunny Sack
Ingredients
  • 15 oz can black bean rinsed and drained
  • 15.8 oz can blackeye peas rinsed and drained
  • 15.2 oz can corn
  • 10 oz spicy diced tomatoes drained
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 2 avocados diced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 bag cup shaped tortilla chips
Instructions
  1. Pour all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if necessary.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Spoon cowboy caviar into cup shaped tortilla chips and place them on a platter to serve.

 

Comments

  1. Jeanne says

    May 9, 2018 at 11:00 am


    I made this for company one day as an appetizer but had some left over and used it as a side dish with chicken and fish without the tortilla chips. It is delicious that way as well.

    Reply

    • Tonia says

      February 9, 2017 at 9:59 am

      Hi Yvonne,
      Yes, they will eventually. I suggest filling them right before serving. It also helps to drain off most of the liquid first or use a slotted spoon. Enjoy!
      ~Tonia

      Reply

    • Tonia says

      August 11, 2015 at 10:33 pm

      It really depends on the size of the serving and on how many of your 50 guests would want some. I think this recipe would make about 6 1/2 cups of cowboy caviar. Enjoy! ~Tonia

      Reply

  6. Cristi Homburg says

    July 29, 2014 at 10:45 am

    BEST STUFF EVER!! I have made twice in 2 weeks and brought it to functions and everyone loved it! They especially loved that they were already prepared in the scoop chip and could just grab and eat! Delicious!!

    Reply

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