Redneck Caviar features all of the colors of the rainbow, and this easy and versatile dish can be served as a dip, salad, salsa, or vegetable side dish.
Depending on where you are from, you might also know this tasty vegetable recipe as Southern Caviar, Carolina Caviar, Hillbilly Caviar, or Cowboy Caviar.
The same recipe also goes by Texas Caviar, Georgia Caviar, and Lower Alabama Caviar. The list goes on and on, and it’s also called Southwest Black Bean Salad, Corn and Black Bean Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salsa, and Black-Eyed Pea Salad.
Talk about healthy; have you ever seen an appetizer with so many delicious veggies in one bowl? Of course, you know me and my love of all things cheese, but honestly, I don’t miss the cheese one bit in this colorful, flavorful, and nutritious dish!
Jump to:
Here’s why you will love this redneck caviar recipe
- Quick and simple preparation. No cooking is required.
- Versatile and customizable and a great way to eat more veggies.
- Delightful flavor and texture
Ingredients – here’s what’s in it
The ingredient list is lengthy, but don’t let that deter you. There is no cooking involved with this make-ahead wonder. Instead, you throw everything in a bowl!
- Cooked white acre peas – are the star of this show, and they replace the more traditional canned black-eyed peas.
- Black beans – canned black beans with their earthy mild goodness are an essential part of this recipe. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly and let them drain before adding them.
- Sweet corn – fresh summer sweet corn cut straight off the cob is preferred. If you don’t have that, you can substitute either canned or frozen corn.
- Onion – I use mild sweet Vidalia onions; but, you can use any onion you like, including red, green, or scallions.
- Red, yellow, and green bell peppers -besides incredible color, bell peppers add flavor and a light crispness to this dish. Of course, you can substitute bell peppers in all one color, and it will taste the same, but you won’t have the gorgeous rainbow of colors.
- Fresh tomatoes – if you have fresh tomatoes, by all means, use them. However, drained canned petite diced tomatoes are a great substitute, and I use them all of the time.
- Jalapeno peppers (not pictured) – add color and just a bit of mild heat. If you want to increase the heat, add some or all of the seeds and ribs.
- Avocado – with its buttery deliciousness, avocado is the icing on the cake and adds a smooth, creamy taste. I always add them at the last minute because they start turning brown pretty quickly after being cut. Be sure to coat the pieces with the dressing. It contains lime juice, which will keep them from browning so quickly.
- Cilantro – or parsley are mostly for garnish and their beautiful green color. Both add a fresh, herby flavor. I mostly use parsley, but that’s only because it’s what I usually have in my fridge.
- Dressing (not pictured) – you will need a couple of fresh limes, red wine vinegar, and garlic. You will also need good extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt and pepper. You can substitute Italian dressing in a pinch.
How to make redneck caviar
- Chop the bell peppers, jalapeno, onions, cilantro, or parsley
- Rinse and drain the black beans and any other canned ingredients.
- Add all veggies except the avocado to a large bowl and mix to combine.
- Combine the dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake well. Add to the veggies and mix well to combine.
- This dish can be served immediately. But, it is even better if you can let it sit for two to twenty-four hours in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to come together!
- Before serving, add the avocado, taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed, and combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.
What is Redneck Caviar
If you are not from the South, you might be wondering exactly what is redneck or southern caviar? So often referred to as the caviar of the South, the truth is, it’s basically a vegetable appetizer with black-eyed peas as the main ingredient. I mean, how much more southern can you get?
But, with this recipe, I thought I would up the ante just a little, and I substituted fresh white acre peas for the black-eyed peas.
Recipe variations
- This dip is divine with black-eyed peas, but adding fresh white acre peas instead sends it to the moon and back! You could also substitute lady peas, zipper peas, purple hull or field peas, or even leftover succotash, if you have it.
- This redneck caviar recipe is versatile; even if you miss one or two ingredients, make it anyway. The flavors are so complex; that it is still delicious. Also, feel free to be very liberal in your substitutions. Of course, fresh is best, but frozen or canned works too!
- Feel free to substitute sweet yellow onions, red onions, or chopped green onions for the Vidalias.
- No white acre peas, no problem. You can substitute canned or frozen black-eyed or field peas. If using canned, be sure to rinse and drain them first.
- You can use either fresh, frozen, or canned corn. But, again, if using canned, be sure to rinse and drain first.
- Canned diced tomatoes are a good substitute for fresh tomatoes. Just drain them first; no need to rinse them.
Be sure to try out my purple hull peas recipe as well if you have some of them left over.
Recipe FAQs
No matter what you call it or how you serve it, this easy southern caviar recipe is bursting with flavor. I often serve it with my Fried Oysters as a dip with Frito Scoops or tortilla chips, but this amazing and versatile dish can also be served as a vegetable side dish, salad, or salsa.
Because it can be served cold or at room temperature, it’s also perfect for tailgating, a game-day party, picnics, and holiday parties. But, of course, it’s great, too, for cookouts or potlucks, or serving anytime you want to impress your family or friends!
Store this dish tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Leftovers are delicious and even better the next day. Do not freeze.
The Southern vibe in this dish continues with olive oil made in Lakeland and sweet Vidalia onions from Vidalia, both in Georgia!
Of course, you have probably heard of Vidalia onions, but I’ll bet you didn’t know they grew olives in Georgia!
If you wonder how the term caviar came to be in this recipe’s name, it has little to do with its fishy namesake, sturgeon fish roe. Instead, it is just a humorous comparison of the lowly black-eyed pea to the much more expensive delicacy, caviar, which was coined by Helen Corbet, who first served this dish in Texas many years ago.
Expert tips and tricks:
- Be sure to wait to add the avocado until right before you serve it. The oil and lime juice in the dressing will keep it from turning brown for a day or so. But, after that, well, you know what happens.
- I like to serve redneck caviar with sturdy corn chips like Frito Scoops or tortilla chips.
- The homemade dressing is quick, easy to make, and delicious, but you can substitute Italian dressing in a pinch.
More dip recipes:
If you like appetizers like this, you might also like these easy and delicious recipes: The Ultimate Relish Tray Guide, Cheese Quesadillas, Chicken Egg Rolls, Macho Nachos, Hanky Panky Recipe, and Lemon Pepper Wings.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you come back soon!
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Redneck Caviar Recipe
Ingredients
Dip Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked fresh white acre peas you can substitute a 15 oz can of drained and rinsed black-eyed peas
- 15 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups fresh tomatoes finely chopped and drained, or a 15 oz can of drained and rinsed petite diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels or a 15 oz can of corn drained and rinsed
- ½ cup Vidalia onion finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper finely diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper finely diced
- 1 medium yellow or orange bell pepper finely diced
- 2 jalapenos seeds and ribs removed, finely diced, if you like heat include the seeds and ribs
- ½ cup finely diced cilantro or parsley
- 1 avocado seeded and chopped, *wait to add this until you are ready to serve
Dressing Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Add all dip ingredients except the avocado to a large colander to drain. When the mixture has finished draining, add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine.
- Combine the dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake well. Add to the dip and mix well.
- Just before serving, add the avocado, taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed, and combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.
- Store this dish tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Leftovers are delicious and even better the next day. Do not freeze.
Notes
Nutrition
*This recipe was originally posted on August 25, 2017. It was republished on May 17, 2020, with expanded directions and tips.
Lisa MacNair
Hi Sharon,
My family & I all love this recipe. Thank you for sharing it.
Can you tell me the size of one serving, please.
Many thanks,
Lisa
Linger
Sharon, this looks divine. The freshness of this dish is perfect as we are heading into summer soon. What a great recipe to share for the Memorial Weekend coming up. All of the ingredients does not deter me at all, they just make me happy! Thanks so much for sharing.
Roc
I tweeked it a bit and switched out the white peas with chickpeas. I used a can of minced tomatoes with peppers instead of cutting tomatoes and all those peppers. And I only used about half a can of the corn, I first made it with whole can and it was way too much.I doubled the sauce and added an extra tablespoon of the red wine vinegar. Very delicious!
Gritsandpinecones
Hi Roxanne, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. One of the reasons I love this dip/salad is that it is so versatile. Your tweaks sound delicious!
All my best,
Sharon
Jennifer Westhead Arenberg
This was excellent although i left out the avacado due to wanting to save the leftovers. Used as a side dish and then leftovers as a salsa with tortilla chips. Due to it being summer all the ingredients were locally grown. Nice blend of flavors. Everyone loved it!
Jason Huffer
Ha! Yes, I will pass your request onto Roger, he is quite busy with 3 teenage boys!
Jason Huffer
I have made Caviar before, pulled this recipe off the net and using home-grown corn, tomatoes and peppers – got this review from my co-workers:
*********************
A classic of biblical proportions!
This hits it out of the park on the first taste!
An exciting texture and composition that works well atop a cracker or cradled in a tortilla chip…or just eat it with a spoon!
The flavors are fresh and full; followed by a simmering med-high heat that waits its turn, politely letting all those wonderful flavors dance on your tongue!
I’m not a big guacamole fan, but I’m amazed at how well this works together – this combination is perfect!
I give it an “A+”.
So stay away so I get to eat it all!
**************
Thanks, Jason
Gritsandpinecones
Hi Jason, I’m so glad you and your co-workers enjoyed it! Can I just say WOW! I need to get the person who gave you this review to write my blog posts! Very descriptive! Thanks so much for the kind comments!
All my best!
Sharon
Pamela Crawford
A favorite for us. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe. Have made it exactly as you have listed and altered the ingredients for the different crowds being served.
Everyone loves it! I print the recipe ahead of time because I know they’ll be asking!
Gritsandpinecones
Thanks so much Pamela! I’m so glad you and your family and friends like it. It’s a favorite of mine too and I’m taking a big bowl of it to a New Year’s Eve party!
Happy New Year and thanks again!
Sharon
Lois
So enjoy your articles AND recipes in the Democrat!
Love cooking and of course eating the delicious foods. Thanks so much for all your efforts!
Gritsandpinecones
Hi Lois,
Thank you so much for your sweet note! It made my day! I’m so glad you enjoy the articles and recipes!
Carolyn
WEH and I are going up to Thomasville on Tuesday for dinner, will go up a little early to dink around a bit. Where did you get the olive oil? Farmer’s Market, next to that restaurant?
Carolyn
Carolyn
Forgot to mention, the cavier dip looks amazing.
Eileen Patrick
I enjoy your Blog and newspaper articles – Food Section of Tallahassee Democrat has certainly improved since you joined them. I was wondering where to find Georgia-grown olive oil in Thomasville. I didn’t know they had a ‘Farmers’ Market ((always on lookout for fresh peas & butterbeans) –
Thank you, Eileen Patrick, Tallahassee
Gritsandpinecones
Hi Eileen,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I found the Georgia Olive Oil at the State Farmers Market at 502 Smith Ave. Thomasville, GA I think it might be called Lewis Produce. It’s next door to the Market Diner and they have a great variety of pretty much any fresh vegetables you might want including a good selection of all types of beans and peas, both shelled and unshelled.