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!
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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So, 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.
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).
Mix everything together and season with salt and pepper.
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.
- 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
- Pour all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Spoon cowboy caviar into cup shaped tortilla chips and place them on a platter to serve.
Jeanne says
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.
yvonne says
Didn’t the tortilla cups get soggy from sitting?
Tonia says
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
Jim Scruggs says
Add the following:
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 Tbs sugar
Pinch cayenne pepper
Bam
Stephanie says
How many guests would this recipe serve? I have about 50 guests, should I double it? Triple it?
Tonia says
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
Janet Fazio says
I am looking forward to trying this for Thanksgiving. Looks yummy!
Cristi Homburg says
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!!
Tonia says
That is awesome! Thanks for stopping back to let me know!
Denise says
Didn’t the tortilla cups get soggy from sitting?
laramealor.com says
LOVE Cowboy caviar, what a great idea to put them scoops.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
My coworker always makes this for parties! YUM! And bite size healthy appetizers are amazing like this 🙂
Kate@Diethood says
I’ve been seeing these all over Pinterest today, and now I just wanna pop through my screen and have ’em all! Awesome recipe!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Now this is everything an app should be! Gorgeous yet so delicious!
Sarah says
What a great party food!
Tonia says
Thanks Sarah!
Happy Valley Chow says
Glad I found your blog through the Time to Sparkle link party, looking forward to following your blog! These look like a fantastic appetizer option, perfect for any upcoming football parties!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Tonia says
Thank you for being part of our link party and for being a new follower!
Erin | The Emerging Foodie says
These are adorable! I love the little packaging. They also look deeeeelish. Can’t go wrong with that combo of flavors. These would be perfect for the Super Bowl! 🙂
Tonia says
Thanks Erin!