Small Batch Black-Eyed Pea Caviar
This Small-Batch Black-Eyed Pea Caviar is a fresh twist on a classic Southern dip. Made with black-eyed peas, crisp vegetables, and a lightly sweet agave dressing, it’s a flavorful dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for snacking, sharing, or serving alongside your favorite chips. The fresh cilantro and bright ingredients give it a vibrant flavor that keeps every bite interesting.
Black-eyed Pea Caviar is a favorite appetizer or dip here in the South and it’s no exception at my house. We love the stuff!
Being that my husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, I prefer to use as many organic products as possible. If you have ever searched for organic black-eyed peas, then you can relate to how difficult it is to find them in a can.
For this recipe, I use dried organic black-eyed peas and cook them in my Instant Pot. (Look for them in the bulk section at Whole Foods or Sprouts.). It only takes 14 minutes for them to cook to a slightly al dente texture, making them perfect for this recipe. You can always use regular canned black-eyed peas if necessary.
Let’s take a look at how this delicious appetizer (or side dish!) is made.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you need the following ingredients:
Dressing
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar + 2 tablespoons
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons agave
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Caviar
- 2 cups dried black-eyed peas
- 5 ½ cups water
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
How To Make Black-Eyed Pea Caviar
- Combine ingredients to make the dressing in a jar. Shake well and set aside.
- Prepare the black-eyed peas by making sure that there are no stones or debris among the dried peas. Place the peas in the Instant Pot and add water.
- Cook on Manual Pressure for 18 minutes.
- When the peas have finished cooking, turn the valve to quick release.
- Drain the peas and allow them to cool.
- Once the peas have cooled, place them in a large bowl and toss with the chopped bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and dressing.
- Refrigerate the “caviar” and let the flavors meld. It’s ideal to make this the day before you want to eat – that way the flavors really marry.
- Black-eyed pea caviar is great served as an appetizer with tortilla chips or corn chips or as a side dish. You could also serve it as an item at a “Build Your Own Salad Bar.”
Small Batch Black-Eyed Pea Caviar
Ingredients
Method
- Combine ingredients to make the dressing in a jar. Shake well and set aside.
- Prepare the black-eyed peas by making sure that there are no stones or debris among the dried peas. Place the peas in the Instant Pot and add water.
- Cook on Manual Pressure for 18 minutes.
- When the peas have finished cooking, turn the valve to quick release.
- Drain the peas and allow them to cool.
- Once the peas have cooled, place them in a large bowl and toss with the chopped bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and dressing.
- Chill the caviar.
- Serve with tortilla chips or dig in with a spoon.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Last Bite
This small-batch recipe is perfect when you want something fresh and flavorful without making a huge bowl.
Leave a comment below… Have you tried Black-Eyed Pea Caviar before? I’d love to hear how you like to serve it or if you added your own twist to the recipe!
