Description
This Cowboy Caviar Jalapeno Popper Cheese Log combines creamy cheese, black beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, lime, and Tex-Mex seasonings. It is chilled until firm, coated with crunchy tortilla chips, and served as an easy make-ahead party appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup corn, canned or frozen
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup jalapenos, diced, fresh or pickled
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed, for coating
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth, creamy, and well blended.
- Add the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro.
- Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
- Place the mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap and use your hands to shape it into a firm log or cylinder.
- Wrap the cheese log tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- Remove the chilled cheese log from the plastic wrap.
- Roll the cheese log in the crushed tortilla chips until the entire outside is evenly coated.
- Transfer the cheese log to a serving platter, garnish with additional cilantro if desired, and serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks.
Notes
- Prepare the cheese log up to one day in advance to give the flavors more time to blend.
- Use mild pickled jalapenos for less heat or fresh jalapenos for a brighter, spicier flavor.
- Drain the black beans and tomatoes thoroughly to prevent the cheese mixture from becoming too soft.
- Add the crushed tortilla chip coating shortly before serving for the crispest texture.
- Keep the cheese log refrigerated until just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of cheese log
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 75