Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar, contributed by Kay Thompson to 75 Years of Caring and Sharing (2006), combines black-eyed peas, black beans, shoepeg corn, Ro-Tel tomatoes, green pepper and green onions.

The mixture is dressed with Italian dressing “to taste,” which lets the cook control how lightly or heavily the beans and vegetables are coated. Kay specifically notes that she uses mild Ro-Tel.

The finished dish can function as a dip, salad or side, which helps explain why this style of big-bowl recipe works so naturally for gatherings.

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5 from 1 vote

Texas Caviar

A bright, crunchy potluck classic with black-eyed peas, black beans, shoepeg corn, Ro-Tel tomatoes, peppers and Italian dressing.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Keyword: black-eyed peas, gluten-free snack, italian dressing, peppers, potluck appetizer, ro-tel tomatoes, shoepeg corn, texas caviar dip with black beans, vegan dip

Servings: 10 people

Ingredients

• 1 can shoe peg corn
• 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
• 1 can black-eyed peas rinsed and drained
• 1 green pepper I cut small
• 1 or 2 small bunches green onions
• 2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes I use mild
• Italian dressing to taste
• Chips

Instructions

• Mix ingredients together.
• Add Italian dressing to your taste.
• Dip your favorite chips.

Notes

Recipe Tips

• Rinse the beans and peas well to remove extra salt and keep the dip tasting fresh.
• Cut the green pepper and onions small so it’s easy to scoop with chips.
• Start with a little Italian dressing, toss, then add more—too much can make it soupy.
• Chill 30–60 minutes if you have time; the flavors get brighter as it sits.

Recipe Variations

• Swap Italian dressing for a simple lime-and-olive-oil vinaigrette for a more Tex‑Mex twist.
• Add diced avocado right before serving for extra creaminess (best eaten the same day).
• Make it spicy by using hot Ro‑Tel or adding a diced jalapeño.
• Serve it as a side salad: spoon over romaine or alongside grilled chicken or burgers.