Julie Clark
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Hillbilly Caviar
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Hillbilly Caviar AKA Redneck Caviar…an easy pepper, bean, onion, corn side dish that is served with tortilla chips. This make-ahead corn and bean salsa recipe is great for summer picnics.
We’ve cooked out burgers a few times at our house already this spring, but I’m still waiting for that first true “picnic”. You know, the one with potato salad, baked beans, and juicy burgers stacked high with all of the fixings.
And this Hillbilly Caviar is a must-have at our family picnics. This bean, corn, pepper and onion combination has a sweet and tangy vinegar, sugar, and oil dressing on the top that goes great with tortilla chips.
What is Hillbilly Caviar?
There are many variations of Hillbilly Caviar online, called many different things (Texas Caviar, redneck caviar, Carolina caviar, Cowboy Caviar, Kentucky caviar…Bean Salad Dip…etc.).
A friend from church shared this recipe with me a few years ago and I always get asked for the recipe, which is a sure sign that it’s a keeper. It differs slightly from southern caviar (which uses Italian dressing).
This corn and bean salad is filled with fresh veggies served cold with tortilla chips. Perfect for game day!
What is hillbilly caviar made of?
- Black beans. Use one can of black beans. Rinse and drain them really well before adding them to the salad.
- Corn. A can of sweet corn (drained) works great with this, but if you have fresh corn on the cob from the garden, use that. It really boosts the fresh flavor.
- Black-eyed peas. I don’t use black eyed peas for many things, but when I pass them in the store, I pick them up for this recipe. Rinse and drain them well before adding to the salad.
- Bell peppers. I use a combination of green, yellow, orange or red bell peppers.
- Onion. Red onion is my favorite, but my second favorite is a sweet white onion.
- Olive oil. You can use another type of oil if you’d like, just make sure it is a mild oil without a strong flavor.
- Sugar. The recipe calls for ¼ cup of granulated sugar. You can lower that amount if you’d like, but just know it will change the flavor of the salad. Another option would be to use a sugar free sweetener such as monk fruit.
- Vinegar. I use white vinegar, but switch up the flavor profile slightly with white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
✨ See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts. ✨
How to Make Hillbilly Caviar
This fresh salad recipe is super easy. Are you ready for it? Once everything is rinsed, drained and diced:
- Combine the beans, corn, peas, diced peppers and onions in a large bowl.
- In a small separate bowl, mix the oil, sugar and vinegar.
- Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and stir well.
Refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors get mixed well, then serve with corn chips. Our favorites are Frito scoops.
Bring the family together.
Bring the family around the table with this easy hillbilly caviar recipe. Here’s what to serve with it:
Recipe Variations & Substitutes
- Add diced jalapeno peppers for a kick.
- Love avocado? Try adding one diced fresh avocado right before serving.
- In August we are loaded with fresh tomatoes. Adding tomatoes to this dish helps it to go further at parties. Think Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
- My daughter loves black olives. Add a small can of sliced black olives (drained).
- If you are taking this cowboy caviar recipe to a picnic, top with fresh cilantro, diced green onion, or parsley for a pretty presentation.
- Scoop a big spoonful of this hillbilly caviar on top of a pile of lettuce for a quick and easy salad.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Toss well before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Other Recipes to Love
Hillbilly Caviar
Hillbilly Caviar AKA Redneck Caviar…an easy pepper, bean, onion, corn side dish that is served with tortilla chips. This make-ahead corn and bean salsa recipe is great for summer picnics.
Servings 15 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans rinsed and drained (15.25 ounces)
- 1 can whole kernel corn drained (15.25 ounces)
- 1 can black-eyed peas rinsed and drained (15.5 ounces)
- 3 bell peppers orange, red, yellow (chopped)
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Combine the beans, corn, peas, diced peppers and onions in a bowl. 1 can black beans, 1 can whole kernel corn, 1 can black-eyed peas, 3 bell peppers, 1 medium red onion
- In a small separate bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar and vinegar. ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup white vinegar
- Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors get mixed well. Serve with tortilla chips or on a salad.
Video
Notes
- Can ounces might differ slightly and that’s ok.
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 815IU | Vitamin C: 32.5mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
I always add a bit of cilantro to my version and I LOVE it with the tortilla chips flvored with a Hint of Lime.
Thanks for bringing this to Saturday Dishes. This will be great with a burger on the 4th! Next Saturday we are featuring BLTs. Hope you can come.
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
I didn’t think I liked Hillbilly Caviar but your recipe and that great picture makes me want to give it another try! Pinned to my Saturday Dishes board.
We are always sharing recipes and this one is another keeper!
I’m printing it out right now!!
For my diet, I will use an alternate sweetener (agave, or coocnut sugar) and I will have to omit the corn.
But, I’ll get the same texture and taste!
Thanks so much!!
Love, Grandma Clark
PS…….thanks for the Mother’s Day visit and the pretty flowers!