Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad

Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer side dish. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to keeping it crispy and fresh. This pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies, black beans, and a zesty lime dressing. It’s so much better than takeout and perfect for cookouts and potlucks. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips, including how to prevent soggy pasta. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Big Mac Tacos and Crispy Salmon Bowls.

What You'll Need for Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb (450g) rotini pasta
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) corn, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup (150g) frozen peas, thawed
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 1 bunch (40g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 1 tbsp (15ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp (5ml) honey or agave syrup
• 1 tsp (5ml) ground cumin
• 1 tsp (5ml) chili powder
• 1 tsp (5ml) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) black pepper
• 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) garlic powder
• Optional: Crumbled feta or cotija cheese
• Optional: Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
• Optional: Sliced green onions

How to Make Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad

1. Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Veggies: Dice bell peppers, finely chop red onion, halve cherry tomatoes, and chop cilantro. Thaw peas if frozen. Seed and finely chop jalapeño if using.
3. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey or agave syrup, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, black beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, peas, jalapeño (if using), and cilantro. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
5. Add Avocado and Toppings: Gently fold in diced avocado. Add crumbled cheese, tortilla strips, or green onions if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Storing & Reheating Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare dressing separately and store in the refrigerator. Combine salad ingredients and dressing just before serving.

Freezing Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad

Not recommended for freezing.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Gently reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, if needed.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker version, use canned or frozen corn and peas.
• Best substitution: Substitute black beans with pinto beans or chickpeas.
• Make-ahead: Prepare dressing separately and store in the refrigerator. Combine salad ingredients and dressing just before serving.
• Scaling: Easily double or halve the recipe to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If salad is too dry, add more dressing. If too wet, drain excess liquid from canned beans and corn.

Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

10 mins

⏳

Total

25 mins

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

Vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) rotini pasta
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) corn, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup (150g) frozen peas, thawed
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 1 bunch (40g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 ripe avocado, diced

Seasonings

• 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 1 tbsp (15ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp (5ml) honey or agave syrup
• 1 tsp (5ml) ground cumin
• 1 tsp (5ml) chili powder
• 1 tsp (5ml) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) black pepper
• 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) garlic powder

Optional Toppings

• Crumbled feta or cotija cheese
• Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
• Sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Veggies: Dice bell peppers, finely chop red onion, halve cherry tomatoes, and chop cilantro. Thaw peas if frozen. Seed and finely chop jalapeño if using.
3. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey or agave syrup, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, black beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, peas, jalapeño (if using), and cilantro. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
5. Add Avocado and Toppings: Gently fold in diced avocado. Add crumbled cheese, tortilla strips, or green onions if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker version, use canned or frozen corn and peas.
• Best substitution: Substitute black beans with pinto beans or chickpeas.
• Make-ahead: Prepare dressing separately and store in the refrigerator. Combine salad ingredients and dressing just before serving.
• Scaling: Easily double or halve the recipe to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If salad is too dry, add more dressing. If too wet, drain excess liquid from canned beans and corn.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
• Oven reheat: Not applicable.
• Microwave reheat: Gently reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, if needed.
• Make ahead: Prepare dressing separately and store in the refrigerator. Combine salad ingredients and dressing just before serving.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 370
• Protein: 10g
• Fat: 14g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 9g
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!