Hillbilly Caviar is a delicious combination of peas, beans, corn, and peppers with a light dressing of olive oil, honey, and spices.
You can usually find this dish at social events across the South, which is probably how it earned the name Hillbilly Caviar. I read somewhere that this dish, or a similar one, was "invented" in the 1940s by a New York chef, but all I know is it has been my go-to party appetizer for years.
Some folks also call it Texas Caviar, Cowboy Caviar, redneck caviar, or even bean salad, depending on the ingredients and the dressing.
Some version of Hillbilly Caviar always seems to show up on the table at potlucks, dinners, and family gatherings. I think the fact that you can switch out ingredients and make it your own is one of the reasons it is such a hit.
It works as an appetizer, a dip, or even a simple vegetable salad, and I usually see the bottom of the bowl by the time the party is over.
Hillbilly Caviar differs from Texas Caviar or Cowboy Caviar because this version uses olive oil, honey, fresh lime juice, and spices instead of bottled Italian dressing. That lighter homemade dressing gives it a fresh flavor and lets the beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers shine.
Some of the ingredients are fresh, some canned, and some frozen. The ones that need to be prepped are the bell peppers, lime, onion, garlic, and cilantro.
Other Names for Hillbilly Caviar
Depending on where you live, you may hear this dish called Hillbilly Caviar, Texas Caviar, Cowboy Caviar, redneck caviar, or simply a bean and corn salad. The name may change, but the idea is the same: a colorful mixture of beans, vegetables, and a zesty dressing that is easy to scoop with tortilla chips.
Spicy Hillbilly Caviar Recipe (aka Cowboy Caviar or Texas Caviar)
This dish is a tasty way to incorporate fresh vegetables and beans into your diet. It can also be served as a side dish, party dip, or vegetable salad. Even the kids love it, which always feels like a small miracle when vegetables are involved.
Ingredients for Hillbilly Caviar
1 green bell pepper -chopped
1 red bell pepper - chopped
1 can of Black beans
1 can of Black eyed peas
½ cup Cherry tomatoes - halved
¼ cup Cilantro - washed and chopped fine
½ cup of frozen corn
2 cloves Garlic - minced
2 Limes - squeezed for the juice
1 Tablespoon of Lime, zest
½ of a Red onion - chopped
3 green onions - chopped
½ cup Olive Oil
¼ cup Honey
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning.
½ teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Cumin
Tortilla chips for dipping
How to Make Hillbilly Caviar
Combine chopped peppers, black beans, black-eyed peas, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, corn, garlic, red onion, green onion, lime juice, and lime zest in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix olive oil, honey, garlic powder, cajun seasoning, paprika,and cumin until well blended.
Pour dressing over vegetable mix and toss to coat, ensuring all ingredients are well blended.
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy. If you have time, let it chill for an hour before serving so the flavors can blend together even more.
I like the scoop tortilla chips because I can get more of the good stuff to stay on...or in...the chip!
Spicy Hillbilly Caviar Vegetable Dip Appetizer
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 green bell pepper -chopped
- 1 red bell pepper - chopped
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can Black eyed peas
- ½ cup Cherry tomatoes - halved
- ¼ cup Cilantro - washed and chopped fine
- ½ cup of frozen corn
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 2 Limes - squeezed for the juice
- 1 Tablespoon Lime zest
- ½ Red onion chopped
- 3 green onions chopped
- ½ cup Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Honey
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning.
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 2 bags Tortilla chips for dipping
Instructions
- Combine chopped peppers, black beans, black-eyed peas, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, corn, garlic, red onion, green onion, lime juice, and lime zest in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix olive oil, honey, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cumin until well blended.
- Pour dressing over vegetable mix and toss to coat, ensuring all ingredients are well blended.
- Serve with Tortilla chips, and enjoy!
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