Live to Eat & Eat to Live

Texas Caviar Inspired Black Bean Salad

Black Bean Salad

I love Black Bean Salads (or any bean salad for that matter)

I was first introduced to Texas Caviar black bean salad by my boyfriend, Matt. Matt had it at a party years ago and liked it so much he asked for the recipe. Since then (before I met him) it became his signature dish that he makes for parties etc… (he doesn’t cook much). I altered his recipe ever so slightly to make it a little lower in fat and sugar, it is still every bit as delicious.

Why is it called Texas Caviar?

What is Texas Caviar you ask; and how did it get it’s name? I wondered the same thing so I went to the first place we all go…. Here’s the story from Wikipedia:

Texas caviar is a salad of black-eyed peas lightly pickled in a vinaigrette-style dressing, often eaten as a dip accompaniment to tortilla chips.[1][2] Texas caviar was created in the U.S. state of Texas around 1940 by Helen Corbitt, a native New Yorker who later became director of food service for the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas.[3][4] She first served the dish on New Year’s Eve at the Houston Country Club. When she later served it at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, it was given its name, “Texas caviar,” as a humorous comparison to true caviar, an expensive hors d’oeuvre of salt-cured fish roe.[5] It has also been called cowboy caviar.[6][7][8][9]

 

So much more than a dip

Texas Caviar is often eaten as a dip or appetizer but it’s also great as a side or as the main portion of a meal with some added protein. This bean salad goes great with any type of grilled protein and is a perfect cold summer dish for potlucks or picnics. One great way to use this as part of a meal is to make taco bowls. I make mine with Tex-Mex Quinoa, baked or grilled chicken, a squeeze of lime, fresh cilantro, and some extra sliced avocado because….avocado!

This recipe is great for meal prep. It is delicious, nutritionally dense, easy to make a large batch and it holds well for 4-5 days in the fridge.

 

Get creative!

As with all mixed veggie salads, I encourage you to get creative and mix things up. When it is in season, use fresh sweet corn either raw or charred on the grill. Add other vegetables, swap out the type of beans and add any kind(s) fresh herbs. Have fun, play with your food!

 

 

Black Bean Salad

TEXAS CAVIAR

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Appetizer, bean salad, dip, Texas Caviar
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 173 kcal
Author: Alina Eisenhauer
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Ingredients

  • 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can black eyed peas drained and rinsed
  • 1 11 oz can white shoepeg corn drained
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 small sweet onion or red onion diced
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 2 scallions (optional) chopped
  • 1/4 cup avocado olive oil or oil of choice
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (optional) chop after measuring

Instructions

  1. Place all of the vegetables in a large bowl 

  2. Whisk together the oil, vinegar and honey until well blended

  3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and mix well to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if desired.

  4. Serve in mini filo cups or with whole wheat pita chips, tortilla chips or baked sweet potato chips.

Nutrition Facts
TEXAS CAVIAR
Amount Per Serving
Calories 173 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 152mg7%
Potassium 459mg13%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 390IU8%
Vitamin C 19.4mg24%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 2.1mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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