Healthy Cowboy Caviar
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If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing, healthy appetizer, this Healthy Cowboy Caviar is it. No seriously, my friends request I bring it every single time. It's fresh, colorful, and perfect for a potluck, game day gathering, holiday or a summer BBQ.
This easy Cowboy Caviar recipe comes together fast, travels well, and delivers bright, zesty flavor in every scoop, making it a go-to dish you'll want on repeat!
Quick Look: Healthy Cowboy Caviar
- 🕒 Total Time: 15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 16
- 📊 Calories: 118 per serving
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Why You'll Love The Recipe
- Incredible Flavor - The flavor of this recipe is everything and more. The kick of the chili powder, the sweetness of the honey, and all of the different flavors of the veggies is really the perfect blend. It's a healthy appetizer that actually tastes good!
- Nutrient-Packed- The color alone of this dish is a dead giveaway to the nutritional value! Talk about antioxidants, this one brings them all. It's a side dish you can feel great about serving.
- Customizable - Want to add other veggies or swap out the beans? No problem! This one is super easy to make your own should you choose to change up the veggies.
For another great appetizer recipe, be sure to check out my Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip! It's the perfect app to bring to your next party or get-together!
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Select Ingredients
- Beans - I prefer black beans in this recipe but you can swap out or add black eyed peas if you prefer!
- Corn - if you have fresh corn on the cob you want to add, it will be delicious! If not, canned corn works just fine.
- Dressing - olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, salt. If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you can swap for white wine vinegar as well.
- Optional ingredient - You either love cilantro or hate it, right? That's why I keep this as an optional ingredient! If you prefer cilantro, simply chop it up finely and add to your liking.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Swap the veggies - This recipe is easily modifiable for your preference of veggies and beans! Swap out for other colored bell peppers or swap the black beans or add in black eyed peas if that's your thing!
➡️ Dressing - if you like more flavor, you can mix up and add additional dressing. I prefer to keep this on the light side because the calories from the oil can really add up!
How To Make This Healthy Cowboy Caviar
Step 1: Chop the bell peppers, onion, and tomatoes and add to a large bowl. Next add the rinsed and drained black beans and the drained corn.
Step 2: Mix the dressing ingredients: olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, chili powder and salt.
Step 3: Pour the mixed dressing over the ingredients and stir well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer to let the flavors come together.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This is a great make-ahead healthy appetizer. You can prep it 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container. To keep everything crisp, add the dressing right before serving or a few hours ahead.
It's delicious with tortilla chips, but also works as a topping for grilled chicken, tacos, burrito bowls, or even on salads for a fresh, high-protein boost.
Yes! Just make sure they're fully cooked, tender, and cooled before adding them to the recipe. Substitute them 1:1 for canned beans.
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More Snack & App Recipes
If you tried this Healthy Cowboy Caviar or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! Thanks for visiting today!
Healthy Cowboy Caviar
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- ½ red onion chopped
- 2 Roma tomatoes seeded and chopped
- Optional - Cilantro chopped
- Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2.5 tablespoon honey
- 2.5 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the chopped bell peppers, onion, tomatoes to a large bowl.
- Next add the rinsed and drained black beans and corn. Stir well to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients together and whisk until blended.
- Pour the dressing over the top of the ingredients in the bowl and stir well.
- The flavor will deep as it sits. Stir from time to time to redistribute the dressing throughout the ingredients for best flavor.
I could eat this entire recipe on my own! I love that you can use this as a dip appetizer or you could even add it to wraps for extra fiber and nutrients! It's so good!