The Best Carolina Caviar {aka Redneck Caviar}

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Carolina caviar is a fresh, healthy appetizer and a hit at any party or potluck.
• There’s a bit of knife work, but it’s worth the effort. Finely chopped veggies are critical to the best Carolina caviar.
• So many tasty, raw ingredients packed into one delicious bean dip!
• It’s even better made in advance so the beans and veggies can marinate a bit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Black-eyed peas & black beans – My MIL uses a black-eyed pea & black bean combo, and that seems to be the typical choice of beans for “redneck” caviar recipes. Canned are perfectly fine! Just be sure to drain them well.
• White shoepeg corn – This corn variety doesn’t grow kernels in vertical rows but randomly on the cob. It’s similar to white corn but sweeter. If you can’t find canned white shoepeg corn, sub for white or yellow corn.
• Italian dressing mix – I use Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix, prepared in a jar or cruet according to the packet directions, with 1/2 cup oil and 2 tablespoons each of cider vinegar & half white wine vinegar. You can also use red wine vinegar. As for the oil, olive oil and avocado oil are your healthiest options.
• Cucumber – Any type. Just be sure to peel and seed before finely chopping.
• Red onion – Gives the dish some zing and a pop of color. You can also use sweet Vidalia onions, chopped chives, or some of each.
• Green bell pepper – Feel free to throw in red bell pepper here as well!
• Celery – for the crunch!
• Jalapeño – Discard the inner stem and seeds to ease the spice a bit.
• Garlic – another layer of flavor!
• Fresh herbs – For enhanced flavor, use fresh oregano, cilantro, basil & parsley.
• Ro-tel Tomatoes – Original or hot (if you’re okay with firing up the flavor!)
• Sea salt and pepper – to tie all of the flavors together.

How To Make Carolina Caviar

Step 1: Prep pantry ingredients. Add the canned beans and the can of white shoepeg corn to a colander and drain well. Next, prepare the dressing mix according to the package instructions in a jar or cruet.

Step 2: Prep fresh vegetables & herbs. Starting with the cucumber, peel the skin, cut it in half length-wise, scrape out the seeds with a small spoon, and dice them into small pieces. Next, finely chop the bell pepper and onion. Dice the celery and jalapeño. Mince the garlic -and last but not least, finely chop the fresh herbs.

Step 3: Combine. Add the drained beans & shoepeg corn, can of Rotel tomatoes, and chopped veggies & herbs to a large bowl. Pour the Italian dressing over the top and stir to combine.

Step 4: Season and serve. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and enjoy with tortilla chips.

Recipe Tips

• Use good, fresh ingredients. Every fresh vegetable should have a crunch.
• Take your time finely chopping the veggies, so everything is the same size.
• Drain the canned beans and corn well. You don’t want the canning liquid in your caviar.
• With one can of Rotel, the consistency is similar to pico de gallo. Add another can of Rotel for a juicy, chunky salsa-like dip.

Variations & Serving

Customize your caviar with more tasty things! Try with:

• Avocado (dice and stir it in right before serving)
• Minced black olives
• Diced radish
• Diced fresh tomatoes

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips (we love organic blue corn chips), and I highly recommend doubling up on the recipe because this dip goes fast!

Make too much? Use extra to top grilled BBQ chicken or grilled salmon, or use it as a taco topping.

More Party Dips You’ll Love

Corn Relish Dip

Creamy Spinach Dip

Best Hot Artichoke Dip

Guacamole Dip

If you love this recipe I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

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