While perusing the canned food aisle you notice cans of chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, and wonder "How to cook canned chickpeas"? No problem, today I’ll tell you!
Most of the time we use chickpeas in cold dishes but you can also make a lovely dinner side dishes with chickpeas quite easily! Today I'll give you some pointers for both uncooked chickpeas and a recipe for how to cook chickpeas on the stove (all the way at the bottom of the post)
WHAT IS A CHICKPEA ANYWAY?
A chickpea is a round shaped yellowish colored SEED. You’ll find chickpeas listed in many middle eastern recipes but they are good in LOTS of recipes!
How To Cook Canned Chickpeas
- Drain the canned chickpeas
- Rinse canned chickpeas with water.
- Place chickpeas in a medium saucepan with ½ cup water
- Cook canned chickpeas over medium heat and add oil and seasonings.
- Heat chickpeas for 30 minutes.
- The chickpeas are ready to eat or save for later.
ARE CHICKPEAS HEALTHY?
Chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein. They are also a great source of: folate, magnesium, vitamin b6, vitamin c, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc.
So, yes, I would call that healthy, wouldn’t you?
CAN YOU EAT CHICKPEAS RIGHT OUT OF THE CAN?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat chickpeas straight out of the can. The canning process cooks the chickpeas sufficiently so that they are both soft enough to chew and are safe to eat.
HOW TO USE CHICKPEAS IN RECIPES
Often, you will find chickpeas added to the following…..
- Chickpeas are terrific cooked up in the recipe noted at the end of this post!
- In Salads in place of croutons
- Use in Tuna Salad to help make it go farther
- Tastes great when paired with Spinach
- Chickpeas are a great addition to tomato dishes, like tomato sauces!
- Did you know that Chickpeas are used to make Hummus?
- Chickpeas make a great meat substitute!
- Dried Chickpeas make an awesome snack!
HOW LONG DO CHICKPEAS LAST?
Chickpeas will last several days if you have opened the can and then keep the rest refrigerated. I wouldn’t keep them more than about 5 days.
CAN YOU FREEZE CHICKPEAS?
Chickpeas do ok in recipes that are frozen, they will be a little softer when thawed back out and may want to fall apart. The taste remains the same.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED CHICKPEAS
- Always drain the can of chickpeas when you open it.
- Chickpeas have a mild flavor and will pick up whatever flavors you add to them, so go for some bolder flavors.
- Generally speaking, you will want to add salt to chickpeas due to their bland flavors.
- Chickpeas cooked in this recipe are delicious, you might want to prepare more than one can if you are having more than yourself for dinner.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED CHICKPEAS, YOU MIGHT ENJOY MORE FROM THIS SERIES....
HOW TO COOK CANNED....
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YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?
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THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED CHICKPEAS
How to Cook Canned Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 slice of bacon cut into about 5-6 pieces
- 1 14.5 ounce can of chickpeas drained
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Chives parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan, place the bacon pieces over medium heat and allow to cook until the bacon is crispy.
- While the bacon is frying, drain the water from the can of chickpeas.
- When bacon is crispy, add the chickpeas, water, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper and stir well.
- Continue heating over medium heat until heated through, about 4 minutes.
- Garnish with chives, parsley or green onions.
Notes
- Always drain the can of chickpeas when you open it.
- Chickpeas have a mild flavor and will pick up whatever flavors you add to them, so go for some bolder flavors.
- Generally speaking, you will want to add salt to chickpeas due to their bland flavors.
- Chickpeas cooked in this recipe are delicious, you might want to prepare more than one can if you are having more than yourself for dinner.
Kelly B says
You say to cook the canned chickpeas for 30 minutes but at the bottom of the post for the recipe it says to cook the canned chickpeas for 4 minutes. I’m confused. Is it 30 minutes or 4 minutes??
Chris W says
@Kelly B, I have the same question.
Lee Pruitt says
I use this method when I make hummus. Makes all the difference in the texture. A++
Wendi Spraker says
Oh That is wonderful!!!
Laura moore says
Hi there.while we were all going through the pandemic.My son was given food parcels to which he shared with me (his mum ).In one parcel I found chick peas (not one to adventure with different recipes and what do l do with these ??) I put the the tin in my cupboard (as you do )not knowing what to do with them until I came across you(( How to cook ))site
Well after reading you're interesting meals I'm hooked
Thank you 'Laura '
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Laura, I'm so glad that you found us and tried the chick peas. It can be a challenge to learn what to do with something you have never faced before!