A simple, tasty salad that is ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for BBQs, potluck dinners or as a side dish any time of year.
Cowboy Salad

Ingredients
2 cans (15 ounces each) black-eyed peas or black beans, drained and rinsed (try a mix or other types)
1 ½ cups corn (canned, drained and rinsed or cooked from fresh or frozen) (See Notes)
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bunch green onions (about 5 green onions), chopped
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, chopped (optional)
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons vinegar or lime juice
½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
- In a large bowl, combine all the veggies.
- In a small bowl, mix together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Pour oil mixture over veggies and toss lightly.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- Use as a filling for tacos, burritos or wraps, on a burger, over a baked potato, or as a snack with Baked Tortilla Chips.
- Try adding other vegetables such as sweet or hot peppers, cucumber or zucchini.
- Cook frozen corn according to package directions or to 165 degrees F.
- Freeze extra lime juice to use later.
- Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups drained beans.
- Try adding cilantro on top for more flavor.
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Comments
I made this Cowboy Salad with a group of adults in a cooking class. They really liked how flexible this salad was as far as personalizing the flavors. Some added more cilantro, more lime or more chili powder. This is an easy, delicious combo of black beans, corn, and tomatoes with room to improvise. We enjoyed it with corn chips.
The cowboy salad is always a hit when I make it for events. I have yet to hear a negative comment about it. The color of this salad also makes it very appealing to the eye.
This Cowboy Salad was a huge hit at a BBQ I brought it to and I have been making it ever since to bring to parties and picnics. When I've had left overs it is also nice that it can be added as a topping to meals. Its a super tasty addition to tacos and salads.
I made this Cowboy Salad recipe again for a large event and the recipe was rated a thumbs up by almost everyone. I made it using the vinegar dressing this time and enjoyed it more than the lime dressing. Gave it more of a tangy flavor than sweet.
This was tasty but I wanted more spice added. I put hot sauce on my portion and left the rest of the bowl mild for my kids.
This has been a favorite recipe for our family for years! My teens will always make this to take to potlucks and team dinners. It is affordable and only involves a few simple and fresh ingredients. Plus, it has the bright colors and the refreshing lime flavor that are so appealing.
My 17 year old daughter made this for an assignment at school. Students were tasked with preparing a healthy snack containing no added sugar and sharing samples with the entire class. She was happy to report that eveyone, including the teacher, loved this salad.
I like how this recipe lasts a couple days. Perfect for a potluck and then you have leftovers. We eat it with corn tortilla chips.
This recipe is always a hit. I recently made it for a group in an assisted living facility and they enjoyed it. I served it with whole wheat pita bread that I cut into triangles and toasted in the oven.
Wonderful recipe! We eat it all the time for years now becuase it is so versatile and most of the ingredients I always have in the pantry. It can be used as a salad on its own, a baked potato or taco topping, or as a salsa. And we bring it often to potlucks and it is always eaten up :)!
I substituted cooked barley in place of one of the cans of black beans and my family loved it. It was a little easier on the tummy for someone who's sensitive to the fiber in beans. Barley's a whole grain and made a great chewy substitution.
This is great and easy to make. Can also use fresh or frozen corn.
This recipes is great! Even kids love it! Try it plain or eat it with tortilla chips!