What’s old is new again.
You may have seen “cowboy caviar” pop up on TikTok recently — the hashtag has nearly 10 billion views — and although it may be a new addition to your summer salad rotation, it’s actually a dish that’s been around since the 1940s.
Originally known as Texas caviar, the dish is a Southern take on a salsa-and-bean salad, and its name was inspired by the black-eyed peas (a staple ingredient in the original version) which resemble caviar. According to Texas Monthly, Helen Corbitt, a former head chef for Neiman Marcus and cookbook author, created the dish when instructed to use only Texas-based ingredients.
Over 80 years later, TikTokers are creating their own versions by substituting or adding certain in-season foods, taking the app by storm and inspiring a whole new generation of people to try the recipe, too. Even celebrities like Shay Mitchell have been inspired to give it a go.
Leading the way in the cowboy caviar resurgence is TikToker Bria Lemirande, whose versions of the popular dip have amassed 12.5 million views, inspiring others to embrace the southern-inspired dish.
The trend is taking TikTok by storm. TikTok/@stassiebaby
Different versions of the recipe are popping up on TikTok with users such as Bria Lemirande putting their own twist on the dish. TikTok/@ brialem
The dish gets its name due to the black-eyed peas’ resemblance to caviar. TikTok/ @brialemThe classic version of cowboy caviar contains black-eyed peas, tomatoes, bell peppers and onion dressed in a vinaigrette, but newer recipes tend to include more legumes, fruits and even cheese.
Bria Lemirande’s Cowboy Caviar:
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 jalapeños
- 3/4 red onion
- 1 mango
- 2 cups sweet corn
- 6 ounces feta cheese
- 1 can sliced black olives
- 2 cans black beans, rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans, rinsed
- 2 avocados
Dressing:
- Juice of 3 limes
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons taco seasoning (optional)
- 2 to 4 tablespoons spicy honey
- 3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finely dice all ingredients then add in the dressing. Serve as a salad or as a dip with corn chips.
Additional add-ins:
- Diced peaches (adds sweetness, like the mango)
- Cilantro
- Black-eyed peas
- Queso fresco
- Tomatoes
- Peas
- Garlic salt
- Peach juice
- Jalapeño juice
- Canned jalapeños
The beauty of this recipe is that there is no hard-and-fast rule to what you can include. Of course, if you’re pressed for time you can always try a store-bought version from Trader Joe’s.
