Mexican Caviar

Using just pantry staples and fresh ingredients Mexican caviar is an easy appetizer that can be thrown together in minutes. Use it as a delicious dip for chips, taco bowl topping, or quesadilla filler.

Keep taco night interesting by making this delicious Mexican caviar recipe, or make it as a delicious tailgating appetizer.

Related: Butter Board Tutorial

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What is Mexican Caviar

Mexican caviar is famously used as a tortilla chip dip for tailgating and game-day parties.

Mexican caviar goes by many names: cowboy caviar, Texas caviar, cowboy salsa, and many others. It’s a blend of a variety of beans and fresh vegetables and spices to make a dip, or dish topper.

Recipe Highlights

• Quick and easy
• fresh ingredients mixed with pantry staples
• Tons of varieties
• No cook appetizer
• Can be served in a variety of ways

How to Make Mexican Caviar

This zesty Mexican-flavored appetizer packs a ton of flavor in every bite and can be used as a dip, topper, or filler chips, nachos, burritos, and tons more.

Dressing Ingredients and substitutions

• ⅓ cup Olive oil – avocado oil would also work well.
• ⅓ cup White wine vinegar – you could also use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• 2 tsp Low sodium taco seasoning – use my homemade recipe for best results.
• Juice of ½ a Lime juice – a lemon can be subbed, or 1 tbs more of the vinegar.
• 1 teaspoon Sea salt

Mexican Caviar ingredients and substitutions

• Roma tomatoes – beefsteak, or canned tomatoes would work too.
• Black-eyed peas – can use another type of bean, but black-eyed are traditional.
• Black beans – can sub a different type of bean.
• Sweet corn – candied corn would be delicious too.
• Red onion – green onion would also work well.
• Red bell pepper – any color bell pepper would be fine in this recipe.
• Cilantro – if you don’t like cilantro this can be omitted or swapped for parsley.
• Pickled jalapenos – optional, or use fresh diced jalapenos.

Step by Step Instructions (with photos)

• In a large bowl combine all the dressing ingredients.

• Then, add the rest of the Mexican caviar ingredients and mix everything until well combined and the dressing has coated everything.

• Cover and chill for at least 1 hour for the flavors to marinate.

Mexican Caviar Storage

Store Mexican caviar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

In a Pinch Ideas

In a pinch? See the tips below to help you out.

• Don’t have canned beans? – You can use cooked dry beans instead so you don’t have to run to the store. Simply replace each can of beans with 1 1/2 cups cooked beans.
• Make-ahead – Make Mexican caviar ahead of time and serve it throughout the week, or as an appetizer for a group.
• Use store-bought dressing – If you’re truly in a pinch and want to make this recipe, simply use Italian dressing instead of the homemade dressing.

Mexican Caviar Tips

As easy as this recipe is, there are some tips to make it even better!

1. Let it marinate – Mix up the Mexican caviar dip ahead of time so the flavors can marinate before serving.
2. Drain and rinse the beans well – doing this will ensure all the juices are only coming from the lime and dressing you made.
3. Small diced veggies – be sure to dice the veggies small so this can be used as a dip for chips.

How to Make Mexican Caviar Healthier

Since cowboy caviar uses fresh ingredients, it’s already a pretty healthy recipe! Here are some ways to make your Mexican caviar even healthier.

1. Use beans without any added ingredients – use either homemade dry beans, properly prepared (soaked prior to cooking), or canned beans without additional ingredients.
2. Use organic produce – avoid all the toxic pesticides and purchase organic produce.
3. Don’t use a sweetener – some Mexican caviar recipes call for a sweetener – this is unnecessary and adds sugar to something that doesn’t need it.
4. Use fresh jalapenos or fermented jalapenos – instead of cowboy candy, use jalapenos that don’t have added sugar.
5. Low-sodium taco seasoning – rather than buying a packet of taco seasoning with added fillers, sugar, and too much sodium, use this easy taco seasoning recipe.

Serving Suggestions for Mexican Caviar

Mexican caviar can be served in countless ways and if you have a huge bowl of it leftover, you may be wondering “how can I serve Mexican caviar?” Here are some of my favorite ways to eat cowboy caviar.

As a dip

• Chips
• Guacamole and chips

As a topper

• Chicken
• Steak
• Fish
• Taco bowls
• Salads
• Nachos
• Rice bowls
• Baked sweet potatoes

As a filler

• Quesadillas
• Tacos
• Burritos
• Enchiladas

Mexican Caviar Variations

One of the best things about cowboy salsa is how much you can personalize it to your liking. Here are some ideas to make this recipe your own.

• Cheese – add a variety of types of cheese to this recipe (feta, shredded mexican variety, etc.)
• Veggies – Black olives, green onion, fresh jalapenos, minced garlic, celery, Rotel, or avocado are all great additions.
• Sweetener – Add a sweetener for a sweeter taste.
• Beans – pinto, white, kidney or chickpeas will all work.

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