Elaine GordonAs a devoted food enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement about the deliciousness of Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar. This colorful and vibrant dish pairs perfectly with outdoor gatherings, friendly barbecues, or even a casual movie night at home.
But just imagine enjoying it with some crispy tortilla chips as a tasty dip. It’s the perfect crunch to complement the fresh, zesty flavors packed inside. Let’s dive into why Cowboy Caviar has become a beloved staple in my recipe collection.
What is Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar?
So what exactly is this Cowboy Caviar, you ask? It’s essentially a bean salad, but don’t let the term fool you. This isn’t your standard bowl of beans; it’s a fiesta of flavors!
The combination of black beans, black-eyed peas, fresh veggies, and a punchy dressing creates a layered taste experience that dances on your palate. Trader Joe’s version makes it even easier by offering quality ingredients that I love to incorporate into my own take on this dish.
The Ingredients
For this lively concoction, gather the following ingredients:
Cowboy Caviar
- 1 ½ cups diced ripe tomatoes (about ¾ pound)
- 1 medium red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¾ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro, including both leaves and stems
- 1 to 2 jalapeños, ribs and seeds removed, finely minced
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) black-eyed peas, thoroughly rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas
- 1 can (14 ounces) black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked black beans
- 1 ½ cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels (about 2 ears of corn), or 1 can (14 ounces) corn, drained
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Italian Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lime juice
- 2 medium cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
- 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
How to Make Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar
Are you ready to get cooking? Let’s get right to the step-by-step process of crafting this delicious dish—it’s as easy as pie (or should I say, as easy as Cowboy Caviar)!
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Beans
Start by washing and dicing the tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeños, avocado, and cucumber. Be sure to remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños if you want to keep the heat down. Rinse the black beans and black-eyed peas under cold water. It’s best to do this thoroughly to remove any excess sodium and make everything taste fresh. A little prep goes a long way!
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Grab a large bowl—this is where the magic happens! Toss in your prepared tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeños, avocado, cucumber, black beans, black-eyed peas, and corn. The colors alone will make your heart skip a beat!
Step 3: Create the Dressing
In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lime juice), garlic, salt, oregano, basil, maple syrup (or honey), crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Don’t forget that lime zest; it adds a delightful zing!
Step 4: Dress the Salad
Pour the dressing over the mixed ingredients and toss gently. You want to coat everything evenly without squishing the avocado. That should be easy—I believe in you!
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Once your Cowboy Caviar is mixed and dressed to perfection, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle beautifully. But who am I kidding? I can’t resist sneaking a bite before that!
Notes
Here are a few clever tips to elevate your Cowboy Caviar game:
- Tip 1: Freshness rules! Use ripe produce for the best flavors.
- Tip 2: Adjust the heat level by using more or fewer jalapeños, or adding a dash of hot sauce if you’re daring.
- Tip 3: Letting it sit longer in the fridge will deepen the flavors, so feel free to make it a few hours ahead.
- Tip 4: Serve with a mix of chips—tortilla, pita, or veggie chips for an exciting variety.
- Tip 5: Experiment with additions like diced mango or corn pickles for added flavor!
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? No problem! Transfer any remaining Cowboy Caviar to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days. Be aware that some ingredients, like avocado, may brown over time. If that happens, just give it a quick stir!
Nutrition Information
trader joe’s cowboy caviar recipe nutrition facts
Serving Suggestions
Here are five fantastic ways to serve Cowboy Caviar:
- As a Dip: Pair it with tortilla or pita chips for a flavorful snacking option that everyone will love.
- On Tacos: Spoon it over soft or hard-shell tacos to enhance your favorite taco night.
- Top a Baked Potato: Use it as a topping for baked potatoes for a healthy twist on comfort food.
- With Grilled Proteins: Serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish for a refreshing and hearty side dish.
- Mix into a Salad: Combine it with leafy greens and your choice of protein for an all-in-one meal.
What Other Substitutes Can I Use in Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar Recipe?
If you’re out of an ingredient or two, don’t fret! Here are five simple substitutes you can try:
- Chickpeas: If black beans aren’t available, substitute with chickpeas for a similar texture.
- Zucchini: Diced zucchini can replace cucumber for a different crunch.
- Pico de Gallo: If you’re short on fresh tomatoes, a jar of pico de gallo will work wonders in a pinch.
- Green Onions: Use green onions instead of red onion for a milder flavor profile.
- Frozen Corn: If fresh corn isn’t at hand, use frozen corn straight from the bag—just thaw it first!
Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Smaller bowl
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups diced ripe tomatoes about ¾ pound
- 1 medium red orange, or yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¾ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro including both leaves and stems
- 1 to 2 jalapeños ribs and seeds removed, finely minced
- 1 ripe avocado diced
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- 2 cans 14 ounces each black-eyed peas, thoroughly rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas
- 1 can 14 ounces black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked black beans
- 1 ½ cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels about 2 ears of corn, or 1 can (14 ounces) corn, drained
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Italian Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lime juice
- 2 medium cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
- 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
Instructions
- Start by washing and dicing the tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeños, avocado, and cucumber. Be sure to remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños if you want to keep the heat down. Rinse the black beans and black-eyed peas under cold water. It’s best to do this thoroughly to remove any excess sodium and make everything taste fresh. A little prep goes a long way!
- Grab a large bowl—this is where the magic happens! Toss in your prepared tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeños, avocado, cucumber, black beans, black-eyed peas, and corn. The colors alone will make your heart skip a beat!
- In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lime juice), garlic, salt, oregano, basil, maple syrup (or honey), crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Don’t forget that lime zest; it adds a delightful zing!
- Pour the dressing over the mixed ingredients and toss gently. You want to coat everything evenly without squishing the avocado. That should be easy—I believe in you!
- Once your Cowboy Caviar is mixed and dressed to perfection, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle beautifully. But who am I kidding? I can’t resist sneaking a bite before that!
Notes
- Tip 1: Freshness rules! Use ripe produce for the best flavors.
- Tip 2: Adjust the heat level by using more or fewer jalapeños, or adding a dash of hot sauce if you’re daring.
- Tip 3: Letting it sit longer in the fridge will deepen the flavors, so feel free to make it a few hours ahead.
- Tip 4: Serve with a mix of chips—tortilla, pita, or veggie chips for an exciting variety.
- Tip 5: Experiment with additions like diced mango or corn pickles for added flavor!
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar is a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make, bursting with flavor, and oh-so-versatile. Whether you serve it as an appetizer, side dish, or part of a main meal, it never disappoints. With easy adjustments, this recipe can fit into any dietary need or occasion.
So, as the seasons change and gatherings become more frequent, elevate your culinary repertoire with this vibrant dish. Your guests will be raving about it long after the last chip has been dipped!
