Redneck Caviar Recipe (aka Hillbilly Caviar)

This redneck caviar recipe is known by many names: hillbilly caviar, cowboy caviar, Carolina caviar, black bean and corn salsa, and more. As a personal favorite, I can almost guarantee the name will become irrelevant when you taste it! Bring this to your next gathering or event; it will be a crowd favorite.

What You Need For Redneck Caviar

There are some variations to redneck caviar, but the standard version has a couple of handfuls of ingredients.

Black beans. Canned beans are perfect for this recipe. Give them a good rinse before adding them to your redneck caviar!

Corn. The corn for this redneck caviar recipe can be canned sweet corn or fresh. Frozen is not ideal; it will be eaten as salsa and uncooked. 

Red onion. While you could substitute the red onion for white or yellow, the strong flavor of the red is something you really don’t want to miss. Plus, it adds additional color to the dish, making it look even more appealing. You’ll want your onion diced into small, corn-sized pieces.

Garlic. Although garlic is one of the less common ingredients in a redneck caviar recipe, I’m a big fan. You don’t have to use a lot for added flavor!

Roma tomatoes. By dicing your Roma tomatoes into smaller chunks, you can be sure to get even amounts of tomatoes and other ingredients in every bite. 

Bell peppers. Green bell peppers are a great addition to this recipe, but any color is acceptable. Dice them into small bits to achieve a varied bite in every scoop!

Avocado. Some people skip the avocado, but I never would! The avocado is what makes this appetizer most appetizing! Dice it and add it as the last ingredient to avoid browning. 

Onion powder. It doesn’t take much, but a little onion powder helps to add just a touch of extra flavor. 

Garlic powder. If you love garlic like me, you might want to add a little extra garlic powder. This recipe includes a standard amount, but it doesn’t hurt to add a bit more!

Cumin. Achieve great flavors with some added cumin in this dish. A redneck caviar recipe doesn’t always include cumin – but I think it should!

Parsley. Adding parsley to this recipe adds more greenery and a touch of flavor to the salsa. 

Cilantro. If you, like me, love cilantro, add fresh cilantro! If you think cilantro tastes like soap, you should skip this part.

Red wine vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar is a crucial component of this recipe. It adds a slight bite to the redneck caviar recipe that other ingredients don’t include. Plus, red wine vinegar is good for you!

Olive oil. In this recipe, olive oil is part of the dressing within the dip. It also helps to balance out the vinegar taste.

Lime juice. Using some fresh lime juice is the best way to get the slight citrusy flavor into the dish, but you can use the packaged variety if desired. 

Salt. Sea salt is a personal favorite in this dish! Table salt is also acceptable.

Black pepper. Whether you grind your pepper fresh or simply use a shaker, a little addition of pepper will add a little kick to amp up your palate. 

How to Make Redneck Caviar 

It might seem overwhelming when you check out the ingredients list. However, this is a simple redneck caviar recipe. There is no cooking involved and very little prep. 

Ingredients 

• 1 can kidney or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 Roma tomatoes, diced (you can also use 1 pint cherry tomatoes)
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 avocado, diced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon cilantro
• 1 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Dice your veggies and herbs: tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, and cilantro.
2. Add chopped veggies and herbs to bowl.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Mix well.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
6. Enjoy with tortilla chips or crackers.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Vary your beans: If you’re looking to vary your beans, you can use a combination of kidney beans and cannellini. This works perfectly if you’re making a double batch. That way you can just use a can of each.

Use cherry tomatoes: If you don’t want to use Roma tomatoes, or don’t have them on hand, use a pint of cherry tomatoes. Cut them in half. Depending on how you plan on serving your Redneck Caviar, cherry tomatoes can look more aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion.

Mix up your bell peppers: Don’t feel like you have to stick to one color of bell pepper. You can use what you have (green, red, orange, or yellow) or mix it up. This is a festive-looking dish and the more colors the brighter and more colorful it will become!

Marinate overnight: The longer you marinate your bean salad the tastier it will become. With that said, if you’re adding avocado to it, I recommend adding it right before serving so it doesn’t come mushy. 

Redneck Caviar Variations 

Make your redneck caviar recipe your own by creating different variations! You can swap out the large red onion for a medium and add green onion for an extra kick. Or, if you aren’t a fan of green onions, consider using a green onion substitute. 

You might also consider adding jalapeno peppers, black-eyed peas or using fresh veggies. Some people even add black olives! 

Add a smoky layer to your dip by roasting your veggies or smoking your corn.

If you’re really looking to change up the flavors in your redneck caviar recipe, use a different dressing. Cut out the red wine vinegar, lime juice, and olive oil, and use a southwest salad dressing instead. The southwest version of this recipe, an adjusted southern caviar dip, is fantastic!

What to Serve With Redneck Caviar

Redneck caviar goes so well with so many dishes! Try one of these suggestions as your main course:

This walking taco casserole is the perfect dish for anyone that loves Mexican dishes! It’s casual and delicious, not to mention super easy.

You might also try this easy Mexican rice chicken dish. Not only is it simple, but it is also tasty and filling. 

These shredded beef tacos are another option to serve with your redneck caviar! As a taco lover, I can tell you: don’t miss out on these.

If you prefer fajitas to tacos, these beef fajitas are perfect for you! If you want something that will impress and is easy to prepare, they may be the solution you’re looking for.

Another great Mexican dish to try is air fryer quesadillas. Cheesy on the inside and crispy on the outside, this dish is ideal for quesadilla lovers. 

Want something with a kick? These jalapeno poppers are perfect to add to your table. Get the spice you want inside a crunchy batter – it’s heaven!

Frequently Asked Questions About Redneck Caviar

Is redneck caviar the same as Texas Caviar or Cowboy Caviar?

Yes! While there are some variations from recipe to recipe, these are the same type of salsa.

How do you store leftover redneck caviar?

Storage for this dip must be in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long does redneck caviar last?

If you use avocado, it will start to brown. You’ll likely want to finish it within a couple of days. If you skipped the avocado, your redneck caviar recipe would last three or four days in the fridge.

Have questions or suggestions about this Redneck caviar recipe? Leave them in the comments below.