Cowboy Caviar Bean Salad (Printable)

Zesty bean and corn salad with peppers, tomatoes, and lime dressing. Great for dips, sides, or taco toppings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
04 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or thawed
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
09 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
12 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine black beans, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, corn, red onion, bell peppers, jalapeño, and cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture and gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Serve chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips, as a side salad, or as a topping for grilled meats.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes better the longer it sits, so you can make it a full day ahead and actually enjoy your party.
  • Every bite is crunchy, tangy, and just a little smoky without any actual cooking involved.
  • You can serve it five different ways and pretend you planned a whole menu.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the canned beans, the starchy liquid will make the whole thing murky and dull instead of bright and fresh.
  • Letting it sit for at least an hour is not optional, the dressing needs time to soak into the beans or it will just pool at the bottom.
  • Don't add avocado until right before serving or it will turn brown and mushy overnight.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it over everything, it should be almost too tangy on its own because the beans will mellow it out.
  • If you want it creamier, fold in diced avocado or a spoonful of sour cream just before serving.
  • For a smoky depth, char the corn in a hot skillet for a few minutes before adding it to the bowl.
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