"Don't Disturb This Groove" Quick and Easy black eyed pea salad

Looking for a delicious and healthy salad to add to your meal plan? Look no further than this black eyed pea salad with corn!

This delicious salad is packed full of nutrients, and it's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Plus, it's got a kick of flavor that everyone will love. So give this recipe a try today!

It's the perfect summer salad and healthy soul food fare. You can also use it to maintain your New Year's Day Southern style tradition of eating tasty black eyed peas. It's got it all - texture, crunch, bite, tanginess, sweetness, and savory.

Even better, this Southern black eyed peas recipe is extremely versatile. In addition to being a great side dish, it can be used as condiment to grilled meats or a chunky salsa paired with tortilla chips.

Growing up black eyed pea salad was almost as common as "sweet" tea during the hot summer months. Keep in mind Texas summers are about 8 months long! However I didn't eat it much, primarily because my grandmother made the world's best potato salad.

During our barbecues I'd have a plate that consisted of only potato salad and grilled meats. There was no room for beans, black eyed peas, nor slaw. If I did eat them back then it was mainly as leftovers.

What I remembered about her black eyed pea salad was that it was refreshing and could be eaten on for days. As a matter of fact it got even better after sitting a day or two undisturbed afterwards.

What Are Other Names For Black Eyed Pea Salad

Black-eyed pea salad is also commonly known by other names such as Southern caviar, Texas caviar, Cowboy Caviar, or simply bean salad. These names highlight the regional variations and the popularity of this flavorful and refreshing dish made with black-eyed peas and a medley of fresh vegetables and herbs.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with black eyed pea salad)

During my time in Chicago, my chef partner in crime, George Outlaw came up with his own version and to say it was a hit would be an understatement.  George has the magic touch, and I have no interest in trying to replicate something that's damn near perfect. It'd be like all these movie directors and music artists who remake those classic great songs.

Now I will say if you going to remake a classic do it like Meshell Ndegeocello. You can choose any or all of recent covers of 80's soul music on her Ventriloquism. It's a genius album and though I don't have a favorite (too hard to choose) "Don't Disturb This Groove" is most apt to my current moment. Life is good...

Typical Black eyed Pea Salad Ingredients

Deep in the Lone Star State, we, not to be like other states/regions refer to black eyed pea salad as "Texas Caviar." It's a very versatile recipe so there are many variations, but the core ingredients are:

• Canned Corn (sweet)
• Canned Black eyed Peas
• Red onions
• Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
• Green Bell Pepper (any color) - i like different colors like yellow, orange, or red pepper
• Jalapeno Pepper
• Cucumber
• Greens (choose from any like mustard greens, arugula, spinach, etc.)
• Fresh Cilantro
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sugar (optional)
• Sea or Kosher Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Frozen Crawfish (optional)
• Apple (optional)

I prefer to make my own vinaigrette, but your basic bottled Italian salad dressing is commonly used. Just go with your favorite store-bought Italian dressing.

How to make Texas Caviar (step by step)

This recipe is too easy for instructions, but I'll list out a few steps

Step 1: Mix the Vegetables

Combine the onions, bell pepper, corn, cucumbers, jalapenos, tomatoes, greens, apples, and black eyed peas in a large bowl. If using crawfish, add here.

Step 2: Make the Vinaigrette

In a separate small bowl whisk together the rice wine vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt, and pepper

Step 3: Toss the Pea Salad

Add the vinaigrette to the vegetables mix. Stir well and let marinate undisturbed in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Serve as a side dish with or without the seafood. You can also pair with tortilla or corn chips and treat as a Texas caviar dip recipe. Lastly I like to use as a salsa topping for grilled meats or seafood.

Black Eyed Pea Salad Cooking Tips and Considerations

I used canned black eyed peas and canned corn for convenience and time-saving. I don't recommend fresh peas since it just adds too much time. Frozen peas and frozen corn are great alternatives.

Similarly, you can go with fresh corn or frozen sweet corn

This dish also works with other peas like purple hull peas or even black beans.

Be sure to drain and rinse your canned vegetables before adding them to the salad.

Avoid using seasoned canned black eyed peas or seasoned corn for that matter. The flavors will likely be at odds with the homemade salad dressing as well as some of the other salad ingredients

This salad need not be complicated, so keep things simple and just focused on quality ingredients.

Recipe calls for jalapenos, but feel free to sub in your favorite sweet or spicy chili. Heat can throw the balance off so be careful. I prefer to remove seeds and veins personally

Try to dice your vegetables as evenly as possible, especially the red onion.

I like honeycrisp apples which are extra crispy, sweet and juicy.

Pears are alternatives to apples

To make this dish vegan exclude the crawfish

Acid options beyond rice wine vinegar include champagne vinegar, red wine vinegar or any other milder vinegars. I like the milder profile of rice wine vinegar, just be sure to use unseasoned version. Some recipes call for balsamic vinegar, but I avoid because the flavor is too strong and distinct.

Feel free to substitute red peppers for the green bell peppers.

Where possible with the exception of the peas, use fresh ingredients - fresh tomatoes (go with cherry tomatoes over canned), fresh herbs

Other ingredients that work well in this dish include fresh basil, parsley, oregano, and spices like a nice smoky paprika

To add even more flavor to this dish, try adding some diced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

We eat black eyed pea salad primarily as a side dish. However, it's delicious as a steak or grilled salmon topping. It's also a great appetizer when used as a dip for salty tortilla chips.

Checkout this detailed breakdown of black eyed peas for more info on all things peas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Eyed Pea Salad?

How long will this salad keep?

This salad is best served fresh, but it will keep in the fridge for a day or two.

Do canned black-eyed peas need to be rinsed?

Yes, definitely rinse the peas. Canned peas contain a lot of salt typically so rinsing removes much of it.

Can I Use Fresh Black eyed Peas?

Cooked black eyed peas are what you're going for so whether you start with dried black eyed peas or fresh ones and cook them you'll be fine. However, there is no need for any of that since you can enjoy the convenience of canned with no sacrifice on taste. Frozen black eyed peas are next optimal option given the convenience + health play.

Can You Use Fresh Crawfish?

Yes, but you'll need to be mindful of the seasons. Frozen crawfish can be used off-season or just for convenience. Just be sure make sure they're sourced domestically.

How Long Is Crawfish Season?

For those of you who have the time to break down fresh crawfish do so. Just know you'll be limited by the season. Crawfish aren't available all season long and depending on whether you're sourcing them from Texas or Louisiana the range of time varies.

There are a few different variables that shape length of the season, but climate is a big factor. The warmer and wetter it is the longer the season. Best case you're looking at November to July, but spring and early summer are optimal times for wild caught crawfish.

These days you have crawfish farms, especially in Louisiana. Crawfish season can be extended to as long as January to August.

Serving Suggestions

Similar to Southern potato salad, this is your quintessential barbecue side. Serve with your normal bbq fare or be inspired by a few options below:

Smoked Pork Chops

Smoked Rack of Lamb

Smoked Lamb Ribs

Grilled Pork Chop

Smoked Cabbage Wedges

For similar recipes you might like, try any of these:

Black eyed Pea Falafel

Black eyed Pea Soup

Hoppin John

Fried Black eyed peas

Instant Pot Black eyed Peas

Vegan Blackeyed Peas

Black Rice Salad

Collard Greens Slaw

Cucumber Salad

Seafood Stew with Crawfish and Scallops

Smoked Salmon Salad

Cherry Tomato Salad with Whipped Feta

Wedge Salad with Pomegranate Glaze

Make This Texas Caviar Recipe

This black eyed pea salad is the perfect dish for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It's packed full of nutrients, and it's got a kick of flavor that everyone will love. So give this recipe a try today! And be sure to use these tips and considerations when cooking to ensure the best results.

If you make this simple canned black eyed peas recipe, Cowboy caviar recipe or whatever you prefer to call it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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