What is TikTok’s latest food trend, ‘cowboy caviar’?

What’s old is new again.

You may have seen “cowboy caviar” pop up on TikTok recently — the hashtag has nearly 10 billion views — and although it may be a new addition to your summer salad rotation, it’s actually a dish that’s been around since the 1940s.

Originally known as Texas caviar, the dish is a southern take on a salsa-and-bean salad and gets its name as the black-eyed peas (a staple ingredient in the original version) resemble caviar. According to Texas Monthly, Helen Corbitt, a former head chef for Neiman Marcus, created the dish when instructed to use only Texas-based ingredients.

Over 80 years later, TikTokers are creating their own versions by substituting or adding certain in-season foods, taking the app by a storm and inspiring a whole new generation of people to try the recipe themselves. Even getting celebrities like Shay Mitchell inspired to give it a go.

Leading the way in the cowboy caviar resurgence is TikToker Bria Lemirande, whose versions of the popular dip have amassed 12.5 million views, inspiring others to embrace the southern-inspired dish.

The classic version of cowboy caviar contains black-eyed peas, tomatoes, bell peppers and onion dressed in a vinaigrette, but newer recipes tend to include more legumes, fruits and even cheese.

Bria Lemirande’s Cowboy Caviar:

• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 orange bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 2 jalapenos
• 3/4 red onion
• 1 mango
• 2 cups sweet corn
• 1 container feta cheese
• 1 can sliced black olives
• 2 cans black beans, rinsed
• 1 can pinto beans, rinsed
• 2 avocados

Dressing:

• Juice of 3 limes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 3-4 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 2-4 tablespoons spicy honey
• 3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Taco seasoning

Finely dice all ingredients then add in the dressing. Serve as a salad or with corn chips as a dip.

Additional add-ins:

• Diced peaches (adds sweetness like the mango)
• Cilantro
• Black-eyed peas
• Queso fresco
• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Garlic salt
• Peach juice
• Jalapeno juice
• Canned jalapenos

The beauty of this recipe is that there is no hard and fast rule to what you can include. Of course, if you pressed for time you can always try a store-bought version from Trader Joe’s.