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Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar

Get ready to blow everyone’s minds at your next gathering!

This Texas Caviar isn’t just another bean salad – it’s a flavor-packed party in a bowl that disappears faster than you can say “yeehaw.”

We’re talking fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and a tangy dressing that ties everything together in the most addictive way possible.

The magic happens when that zesty lime-kissed dressing meets all those colorful ingredients.

Every single bite gives you something different – creamy avocado, sweet corn kernels, a little heat from jalapeño, and that perfect crunch from fresh bell peppers.

Trust me, once you start eating this with tortilla chips, there’s no stopping until the bowl is empty.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 3 Roma tomatoes, seeds removed, diced
  • 2 avocados, diced
  • ⅓ cup diced red onion
  • 15 ounces canned black beans (1 can), rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounces canned black eyed peas (1 can), rinsed and drained
  • 1½ cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely diced
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Tortilla chips for serving

For the Dressing:

  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Steps

  1. Combine all the vegetables and beans in a large mixing bowl. Add the diced tomatoes, avocado, red onion, black beans, black eyed peas, corn kernels, bell pepper, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro. Using a silicone spatula or large spoon, toss everything together gently but thoroughly so the ingredients are evenly distributed. The key here is being gentle with the avocado – you want chunks, not mush.
  2. Prepare the dressing in a separate bowl by whisking together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk vigorously for 30-45 seconds until the dressing is completely emulsified and the sugar has dissolved. You should see no separation between the oil and vinegar – this ensures every bite gets the full flavor impact.
  3. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss very well using tongs or a large spoon. Make sure to get all the way to the bottom of the bowl – those beans and corn love to hide from the dressing. Toss for 1-2 minutes until you can see the dressing coating everything evenly and the colors look bright and glossy.
  4. Refrigerate immediately after mixing. If you’re not serving right away, give the mixture another good stir before serving since the ingredients tend to settle. The flavors actually improve after 30 minutes of chilling, but it’s delicious right away too. Always store covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for best quality.

Smart Swaps

  • Frozen corn kernels instead of canned corn (better texture and no added sodium)
  • Quinoa instead of one can of beans (adds protein and makes it more filling)
  • Fresh herbs like parsley or green onions instead of cilantro (for cilantro haters)
  • Lime zest added to dressing (intensifies citrus flavor without extra liquid)

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

Sugar Substitutions:

  • Replace 1 teaspoon sugar with ½ teaspoon stevia blend (reduces carbs by 4 grams total recipe)
  • Monk fruit sweetener works at ½ teaspoon without affecting blood sugar
  • Erythritol can substitute 1:1 but may need extra ¼ teaspoon for same sweetness level

Portion & Timing Tips:

  • Recommended serving size: ½ cup portion (approximately 15 carbs per serving)
  • Best eaten: As a side dish with grilled protein to slow glucose absorption
  • Pair with: Baked tortilla chips or fresh vegetables instead of regular chips
  • Fiber boost: The black beans and black-eyed peas provide 6 grams fiber per serving, helping stabilize blood sugar

Smart Modifications:

  • Reduce corn to ¾ cup to lower carb content by 8 grams total
  • Add extra bell peppers for crunch without significant carb increase
  • Include diced cucumber for volume and freshness with minimal carbs

Total Carb Count: Original recipe 18 carbs per serving → Modified version 12 carbs per serving (33% reduction)

Pro Tips

  • Dice avocados last and add lime juice immediately to prevent browning
  • Use a food processor to quickly dice all vegetables to uniform size
  • Rinse canned beans thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess sodium
  • Make it ahead but add avocado just before serving for best texture
  • Double the dressing recipe and keep extra in the fridge for salads all week

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