Couscous Cowboy Caviar (30 Minutes)

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Cowboy caviar with couscous is a vibrant and nutritious dish that combines fluffy couscous with fresh vegetables and zesty flavors.

This recipe features black beans, chopped tomatoes, corn, diced avocado, cilantro, lime, red and green bell peppers, and red onion, making it a perfect light meal or side dish.

It’s colorful, healthy, and packed with flavor!

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 cup water or vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the couscous (10 minutes): In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of water or vegetable broth to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in the couscous, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the vegetables (10 minutes): While the couscous is cooling, chop the cherry tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, red onion, and avocado. Rinse and drain the black beans and corn if using canned.
  3. Combine the ingredients (5 minutes): In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked couscous, black beans, chopped tomatoes, corn, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, diced red and green bell peppers, and finely chopped red onion.
  4. Make the dressing (2 minutes): In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of 2 limes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  5. Dress the salad (2 minutes): Pour the lime dressing over the couscous and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Serve the Cowboy Caviar with Couscous immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy this refreshing and colorful dish as a side or a light meal!

Notes

For added flavor, you can include diced jalapeño for some heat or a sprinkle of feta cheese for a tangy twist.

This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for meal prep.

Serve it with tortilla chips for a fun appetizer or enjoy it on its own as a healthy and satisfying meal!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Pair this with...

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Grab some store-bought corn tortillas and cut each one into 6 or 8 wedges. Heat up about an inch of vegetable or canola oil in a large frying pan until it's shimmering, but not smoking. Carefully drop the tortilla wedges into the hot oil in batches, so they don't overlap. Fry them until they're golden brown, which will take about 2-3 minutes per side. Once they're perfectly crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. While they're still warm, sprinkle a bit of salt over the top. There you go!

Simple Green Salad

Begin by selecting crisp lettuce leaves, giving them a thorough wash and a gentle pat dry. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them as the foundation of your salad. Next, slice ripe tomatoes, their juicy segments promising a burst of sweetness. Add these to the lettuce, their vibrant red contrasting beautifully against the green. For a refreshing crunch, slice a cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons, layering them amongst the other ingredients. For dressing, a light drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice will enhance the salad's natural flavors without overshadowing them. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and any herbs of your choosing.

Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!