Chef John’s crowd-pleasing cowboy caviar “is one of the greatest party dips of all time.” This version uses 3 kinds of peppers—fresh, pickled, and roasted—and an easy custom dressing to take it to the next level.
Prep Time::30 mins
Chill Time:: 2 hrs
Total Time:: 2 hrs 30 mins
Servings::10
Ingredients
Dressing
1/3 cup avocado oil or other vegetable oil
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper, or to taste
Caviar
2/3 cup finely diced red onion
1 1/2 cups diced fresh bell peppers
1/3 cup diced jarred roasted red peppers
1/3 cup diced pickled jalapeno peppers, or other pickled peppers
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen corn
1 cup diced fresh tomato
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
scoop-style tortilla chips for serving
Directions
Whisk avocado oil, rice vinegar, lime juice, garlic, garlic powder, salt, sugar, cumin, paprika, and chipotle together in a large bowl and set aside until needed.
Rinse diced onion well under cold water; drain well.
Add bell peppers, roasted red peppers, jalapenos, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, and tomato to the bowl of dressing. Add red onion, stir well, cover, and refrigerate for 2 to 12 hours, tossing occasionally.
Before serving, stir in cilantro. Season to taste with salt. Serve with tortilla chips.
John Mitzewich
Chef’s Notes:
Fresh, roasted, or grilled corn can be used instead of frozen.
Half parsley and half mint can be used instead of cilantro.
Canned diced tomatoes can be used instead of fresh.