Carolina Caviar aka "redneck" caviar! This classic cold bean salad is made with black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and a medley of chopped veggies tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. Serve with tortilla chips for the perfect Southern party appetizer!
Redneck caviar is far from actual caviar and more like a Southern take on fresh salsa. It's unlike anything else! Imagine a delicious mixture of beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, celery, fiery jalapeno, and garlic dressed in tangy Italian vinaigrette. The beauty of this classic dip is enjoying a little bit of everything in every bite.
There are a few variations of "redneck" caviar, Texas caviar, Georgia caviar, & South Carolina caviar, and it's also known as cowboy caviar and Southern caviar. These step-by-step instructions will show you how to make my mother-in-law's version of South Carolina Caviar, and frankly, it's THE BEST!
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 ½ 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.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Unfortunately, it won't keep nearly as well in the freezer.
Recipe FAQ
It already is! The dip is made with fiber-packed beans and corn and a colorful assortment of nutrient-dense fresh veggies. Make your dressing with heart-healthy avocado oil or olive oil, and you're good to go!
Using canned saves a few steps, but if you have dried beans, that works too. Be sure to cook the dried beans, drain well, and let cool in advance.
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Carolina Caviar {aka Redneck Caviar}
Ingredients
- 15 oz can black-eyed peas rinsed and drained
- 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
- 7 oz can white shoepeg corn drained
- 10 oz can Ro-tel tomatoes original or hot
- 8 oz Good Seasons Italian dressing mix prepared in a jar or cruet according to packet directions, using half cider vinegar and half white wine vinegar. I use olive or avocado oil to a healthy fat source.
- 1 fresh jalapeño diced
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped (or to taste)
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups celery finely diced
- 1 cup salad cucumber peeled, seeded, and finely diced
- 1 clove fresh garlic finely minced
- Fresh oregano cilantro, basil and parsley to taste-finely chopped
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and stir to combine.
- If you want more juice, just add another can of Ro-tel.
- Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips.
Notes
- 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.
*This post was originally published July 30, 2013 and has been updated throughout.
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Terra
This sounds like a healthy, and hearty snack! Love this recipe! Hugs, Terra
Amee Livingston
Thank you Terra! I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂 xo~
Kathy @ Olives and Garlic
I bet it tastes just as good as it looks.
Amee Livingston
Thanks Kathy! 🙂
Carrie Williams
I just love the crunch added with the celery! This dip has great flavor and is a crowd pleaser for sure, it even gets better a day or 2 after you make it as all the flavors soak in.
Thanks Amee keep up the great work!
-Carrie
Amee Livingston
Thank you for the review, Carrie! I'm so glad that you loved it! 🙂