A collection of 31 chickpea recipes, including dinners, snacks, soups, stews, and salads, most made with easy canned chickpeas.
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Chickpeas are something I always have in my pantry. Growing up Lebanese, they show up in a lot of the food I’m used to eating, everything from stews to salads, and of course, a lot of hummus. It’s just one of those ingredients I don’t really have to think about because I use them so often.
This collection pulls together 31 chickpea recipes that I actually make, including dinner ideas, snacks, soups and stews, and salads. Some lean more traditional, others are just easy ways I use chickpeas during the week when I need something simple.
Most of these recipes use canned chickpeas, mainly because they’re quick and convenient. I’ll cook dried chickpeas when I have the time, but day to day, canned is what I reach for
This vegan Cauliflower Curry is the ultimate comfort dish bursting with robust Indian spices and sweetened with coconut milk! It’s a healthy easy dinner idea.
This authentic Lebanese Chicken Fatteh is an amazing combo of flavors made with yogurt, spiced shredded chicken, chickpeas, toasted pine nuts & pita bread!
Authentic falafel recipe made with dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight and blended with fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic, onion, and Middle Eastern spices, which is then fried until extra crispy.
This Mediterranean-inspired Ground Beef and Rice recipe is all made in one pot with lean ground beef, basmati rice, 7 spice seasoning, chickpeas, and optional toasted nuts.
This avocado hummus is a modern twist on classic hummus and guacamole. It's an easy vegan snack or appetizer that tastes great with pita or veggie chips!
This beet hummus recipe uses a fresh, roasted beet and is made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, fresh garlic, and salt. Just blend everything together and serve.
This Greek dip is a 7-layer Mediterranean-style dip that is made with hummus, labneh, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, kalamata olives, and is served with pita chips.
This eggplant stew has Middle Eastern flavor roots! The tomato base is mixed with harissa, garlic, and spices. Chunks of eggplant simmer with chickpeas for a full meal.
This Harira soup is Moroccan-inspired and is loaded with chickpeas, lentils, and vermicelli in a spiced tomato broth. It's so filling and is vegetarian!
This Italian chickpea soup recipe, inspired by minestra di ceci, is made with canned chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, vegetables, and spinach simmered in vegetable broth.
Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad made with rotini pasta tossed in a dressing made with oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, lemon, honey, and spices. Fresh spinach, olives, and red onion complete the pasta salad.
This Lentil Salad combines green lentils, chickpeas, cucumbers, roasted red peppers, red onion, and parsley with a simple lemon, olive oil, garlic, and zaatar dressing.
Packed with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and healthy fats, this tahini pasta salad is delicious, filling, and easy to make!
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4.9 from 32 votes
Tips for Cooking with Chickpeas
Rinse the chickpeas before using, if making canned chickpea recipes. The liquid that the chickpeas sit in is starchy and full of sodium and will affect the final results of the recipe. Some recipes do call for using that liquid, but generally, you’ll want to do a quick rinse.
Simmer chickpeas for half an hour for more flavor. This is important for garbanzo bean soup recipes or stews so chickpeas can fully adopt the flavors and plump up a bit. This helps them break down slightly to thicken the meal without adding flour or cornstarch.
Do not leave any leftover beans in the can. If you only use a partial can of beans, transfer the rest (with the liquid) into a glass or plastic container to get the best flavor out of the remaining contents. Beans left in the can taste metallic.
FAQs
Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dried in recipes?
In short, you cannot use dried and canned chickpeas interchangeably because their texture and flavor is vastly different. In order to make canned chickpeas recipes using dried garbanzo beans, you must cook them first. You can use this recipe how to cook chickpeas so it’s perfect consistency every time. Keep in mind, that although you can use the dry chickpeas by cooking them, in most cases, you cannot use canned beans for dried chickpea recipes.
Are chickpeas gluten-free?
Yes, chickpeas are naturally gluten-free, which is why they’re such an excellent choice for those with gluten sensitivity.
Can I substitute chickpeas for meat in recipes?
In most cases, it’s totally fine to replace meat with chickpeas as a plant-based protein alternative. However, you would want to make sure you’re balancing the flavors and textures of your dish. Chickpeas have a different consistency and taste compared to meat, so consider adding more seasonings, herbs, or sauces to enhance the flavor.
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