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HOW TO COOK CANNED CHICKPEAS

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!

A close up view of how to cook canned chickpeas

How to Cook Canned Chickpeas

How To Cook Canned Chickpeas

  1. Drain the canned chickpeas
  2. Rinse canned chickpeas with water.
  3. Place chickpeas in a medium saucepan with 1/2 cup water
  4. Cook canned chickpeas over medium heat and add oil and seasonings.
  5. Heat chickpeas for 30 minutes. 
  6. 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.

A bowl of canned chick peas

How to Cook Canned Chick peas

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.

A bowl of canned chick peas from the front

How to cook canned chick peas

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….

Peas

Green Beans

Peas and Carrots

Green Beans and New Potaotes

New Potatoes

Corn

Creamed Corn

Collard Greens

YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?

Please leave me a comment and 5 STAR ( 🌟 🌟🌟🌟 🌟 )   review, I ALWAYS love to hear from you and your comments MAKE MY DAY! (Plus, it helps me out by letting everyone know that this is the place to find good recipes!)

THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED CHICKPEAS

A bowl of canned chick peas from the front

How to Cook Canned Chickpeas

This is a recipe for how to cook canned chickpeas
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chickpeas, chick peas, canned chickpeas
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 408kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 slice of bacon cut into about 5-6 pieces
  • 1 14.5 ounce can of chickpeas drained
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp ground onion powder
  • ½ tsp ground garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp 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.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Cook Canned Chickpeas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 408 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 672mg28%
Potassium 661mg19%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 16g64%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 155IU3%
Vitamin C 2.9mg4%
Calcium 108mg11%
Iron 6.4mg36%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Kelly B

Tuesday 3rd of January 2023

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??

Lee Pruitt

Sunday 4th of September 2022

I use this method when I make hummus. Makes all the difference in the texture. A++

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 7th of September 2022

Oh That is wonderful!!!

Laura moore

Wednesday 23rd of March 2022

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

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

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!

Karmel

Friday 10th of September 2021

In the recipe it has Cayenne listed but in the video when u ran down the spices u were using you didn't mention cayenne, nor did I see any, but you did mention sugar. I'm a big fan of cayenne and Cajun spices so I'll probably try one or both of those but I'm also thinking the sugar sounds good but since it's not in the recipe ingredient list I don't know how much to use altho I'm thinking 1 Tsp would probably be about right for a 15oz can, could you clarify how much, thanks.

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 11th of September 2021

Hi! Thanks for asking. The reason they are different is because I did that at different times and depending on the scenario and what my tastes prefer, I might make them a little different. I say all of that to say, you can alter the recipe and it will likely come out great. With one 15 oz can of chickpeas, I would go lite on the cayenne until you are sure how much you like (you can always add more). Start with a pinch (less than 1/4 tsp) and increase until it is as warm as you like. Also, for a 15oz can, don't use more than a tsp of sugar to start (maybe even start with 1/2 a tsp). The cayenne and sugar will taste great together too.

David

Monday 14th of September 2020

I wanted to make a soup with canned chickpeas I didn't know how long to cook them so they would be really tender like other beans. I guess I got the wrong site, I am sorry I can not eat a lot of fat, bacon grease and butter together would kill me with high cholesterol,trying to unclog arteries right now so I am making a chickpea soup from a recipe but it say to use crock pot on high for 3hrs, I thought they might turn to mush? So I am searching how long to cook so nice and tender, sorry I got the wrong site

Ray

Sunday 13th of March 2022

@David, (if you are still on this Earth) just drain and rinse your canned chickpeas and add them in near the end of cooking the soup recipe to heat them up (maybe the last 15 minutes). I'm in the same boat as you as far as clogged arteries and cholesterol, no need to cook them in grease or butter to add them to a soup - just drain and rinse the can of chickpeas and add them in to your soup recipe - no worries, you do not need to follow this particular recipe. Best bet - avoid foods with high "Saturated" fats and don't concern yourself with the amount of cholesterol in your foods (doesn't translate directly to reducing your cholesterol). Don't worry about fat in general, but keep your total DAILY "Saturated" fat intake as low as you can (<12 grams per day) and you'll be good to go. Reducing sodium as much as you can will also be a benefit to anyone.

Wendi Spraker

Monday 14th of September 2020

Hi David, I'm sorry that you feel you are not able to make this recipe. I am guessing that your recipe is using dried chick peas if it says to cook them for 3 hours? I don't know, you'll have to ask the author of that recipe. Thank you though, Wendi

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