Keep your meals exciting with a twist by incorporating delicious canned chickpea recipes into your daily cooking routine. Chickpeas are often overlooked as the unsung heroes in many pantries due to their humble appearance, but they pack a punch when it comes to nutritional value. Not only do they offer an impressive dose of protein and fiber, but they also keep calorie counts remarkably low.
Moreover, these versatile legumes are extremely budget-friendly, allowing you to create mouth-watering dishes without putting a strain on your wallet. So, dig out that can of chickpeas collecting dust in the back of your pantry and let’s get creative with some fantastic canned chickpea recipes!
20+ Best Canned Chickpea Recipes
Hummus With Canned Chickpeas and Tahini
Often, people are under the impression that homemade dips and spreads require a lot of effort and ingredients. However, one of the most popular ones is surprisingly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. In fact, if you have a can of chickpeas on hand, you’re already halfway to making this delicious and nutritious snack. This recipe combines chickpeas with a simple yet flavorful blend of garlic, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil that will elevate the humble chickpea to new heights.
It’s perfect when served alongside a crispy pita or a colorful plate of fresh veggies.
Chickpea Tahini Salad Sandwich
Here’s a delicious vegetarian twist on the classic chicken salad – think of this chickpea and tahini salad as its plant-based equivalent. The chickpeas bring that all-important creamy protein-packed bite with their crunchy companions like celery, pecans, and red onions. When you pair them with a cool and creamy tahini base, layered generously between two slices of bread, it’s a match made in heaven!
Italian Chickpea Soup (Pasta e Ceci)
Bundled with rustic veggies and a rich tomato broth, this Italian chickpea soup is an ideal way to warm up on a chilly day. The recipe combines tender chickpeas with the simplicity of celery, carrots, onions, and juicy tomatoes in a hearty base that’s reminiscent of traditional Italian cooking. As with many authentic Italian dishes, a satisfying pasta component is essential, adding depth and texture to each spoonful.
Serve this comforting soup alongside crusty bread for dipping or paired with a grilled cheese sandwich for a delightful and filling meal.
Chickpea Curry
Flavors from around the world come together in a delightful harmony when cooking chickpea curry, one of my go-to comfort foods. This dish is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring just a can of chickpeas to bring it all together! The rich and velvety curry base is packed with an abundance of fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, spinach, and garlic, creating a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible.
The addition of tomatoes lends a satisfying meatiness, while the chickpeas provide a boost of protein. Serve this mouth-watering masterpiece over a bed of fluffy white rice, accompanied by a side of naan bread to mop up all the delicious sauce.
Peanut Noodle Salad with Chickpeas
Often, when we think of summer salads, our minds turn to refreshing dishes that are light, easy to make, and bursting with flavor. One such salad that perfectly embodies the essence of summer is the peanut noodle salad with chickpeas, particularly during cucumber season. The key to this dish’s success lies in its unique combination of textures – the crunchy smashed cucumbers provide a delightful contrast to the soft, slightly nutty pasta, while the tender chickpeas add a satisfying bite.
When served chilled, this salad becomes an ideal accompaniment to a warm summer evening, its flavors and textures working together in perfect harmony.
Canned Chickpea Baked Falafel
Often, the reason we fall in love with certain foods is their versatility. Open a pita bread and top it with fresh falafel for a quick snack, or use them as a protein-packed addition to a green salad. This particular recipe takes advantage of canned chickpeas, a convenient and budget-friendly ingredient that pairs well with the bold flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, such as shallots and garlic.
Vegan Chickpea Scramble
Beyond the typical breakfast options, this vegan chickpea scramble offers a flavorful twist that’s sure to kick-start your day. The combination of protein-rich chickpeas with sautéed garlic, onion, peppers, and tomatoes creates a hearty egg-free alternative that rivals traditional scrambled eggs in terms of taste and satisfaction. Say goodbye to bland breakfast routines and experience the rustic charm of this vegan chickpea scramble for yourself.
General Tso’s Chickpeas
Understandably, giving up meat can be tough, especially when you crave the bold flavors of a dish like General Tso’s chicken. Fortunately, this recipe allows you to recreate that same magic using chickpeas as a protein-rich substitute for chicken. The best part? Chickpeas soak up the sauce just as well as their meaty counterparts, making them an ideal stand-in in this vegetarian version.
This dish boasts all the same sweet, spicy, sour, and tangy notes that make General Tso’s chicken so addictive, but with a plant-based twist. Simply serve it over a bed of rice for a satisfying meal that’s sure to please even the most devoted meat-lovers – and give your local Chinese takeout a well-deserved break.
5-Minute Spicy Chickpeas
Keeping hunger at bay is never easy, especially when time is of the essence. That’s where 5-minute spicy chickpeas come in – a quick and flavorful solution to your snacking needs. With just a few basic ingredients like chickpeas from the pantry and some spices from the spice rack, you’re already halfway there. This recipe takes these humble ingredients and elevates them with aromatic additions such as garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, cumin, and fresh mint leaves.
Enjoy them on their own or serve them alongside a refreshing summer salad for added texture and flavor.
Chickpeas and Spinach
Hoping to find a quick and budget-friendly vegetarian dinner solution? This chickpea and spinach recipe is an excellent choice when time is of the essence. With just a can of chickpeas, garlic, fresh spinach, and some essential spices on hand, you can whip up this hearty main course in no time. A squeeze of lemon juice elevates these already delicious flavors to new heights.
Moroccan-Inspired Chickpea Tomato Stew
Beneath its rich, velvety surface, this stew packs a punch of flavor reminiscent of a Moroccan curry. The combination of warming spices like cinnamon and cumin with the savory additions of tomatoes, chickpeas, and garlic creates an aromatic and hearty dish that’s sure to satisfy even the largest appetites. With its bold flavors and comforting texture, it’s no wonder that this stew is the perfect solution for a chilly evening or a hungry crowd.
Chickpea Rice
Let’s face it – who wouldn’t adore a convenient one-pot meal that requires minimal effort yet yields incredible results? This delectable chickpea rice recipe is an authentic Indian culinary delight, boasting vibrant colors and an unbeatable flavor profile that’s 100 percent satisfying. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, as the fluffy rice pairs perfectly with bold Indian spices, protein-rich chickpeas, and a punch of freshness from the red onion.
To top it all off, you’ll only need to wash one pot after dinner – talk about a stress-free culinary experience! Go to Recipe
Crispy Chickpeas With Vegan Garlic Aioli
Yearning for something crunchy and savory? Look no further than this crispy chickpea snack with a side of creamy vegan garlic aioli. The combination of smoky paprika and sweet onion-seasoned chickpeas creates a fragrant and tantalizing flavor profile that’s balanced by the rich, velvety texture of the vegan aioli.
Vegan Herb Butter Roasted Mushrooms and Chickpeas
Vegetarians and vegans often get a bad rap for their meals being bland and unfilling, but nothing could be further from the truth. This vegan herb butter roasted mushroom and chickpea recipe is a prime example of a hearty and satisfying plant-based dish. The combination of meaty mushrooms and protein-rich chickpeas provides a filling and flavorful meal that’s sure to please even the most discerning palate. And with a drizzle of vegan herb butter, this tasty meal becomes almost irresistible.
Whether you enjoy it on its own or served over creamy grits or white rice, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Spanish Chickpea Stew
Zero in on this delicious Spanish chickpea stew as your go-to budget-friendly dinner option. Not only is it easy on the wallet, but all of its ingredients are also readily available at most grocery stores. The combination of chickpeas with spinach, potatoes, carrots, and vibrant Spanish spices creates a mouth-watering dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or special occasion.
Serve it up with some crusty bread for a satisfying experience, and don’t worry about leftovers – this stew freezes beautifully.
Chickpea Pasta with Garlic and Herbs
Brimming with flavor, this recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to take their classic pasta and butter dish to the next level. The addition of fresh herbs and protein-rich chickpeas adds depth and substance, making it feel like a hearty, satisfying meal rather than just a comforting bowl of noodles. The best part? It’s still incredibly easy to make, requiring no more effort than its plain buttered noodle counterpart, but delivering a much more filling experience.
Vegan Pecan Pie Bars Made with Chickpeas
Considering the trend of using unexpected ingredients in baked goods, it’s no surprise that chickpeas have made an appearance on lists alongside traditional desserts. The notion of combining black bean brownies with their veggie-packed cousins is a testament to the versatility of plant-based cuisine. In this same vein, these vegan pecan pie bars are redefining what it means for a dessert to be truly indulgent, while still being a healthier alternative to its traditional counterpart.
Simple Green Goodness Chickpea Salad
Crafting the perfect green goddess salad is a breeze, thanks to its abundance of nutrient-dense ingredients. Chief among these are broccoli, asparagus, kale, avocado, and (you guessed it) green goddess dressing – the quintessential components that make this salad a staple in healthy eating. But what really puts the icing on the cake is the addition of chickpeas, which not only provide a satisfying meat-like bite but also a substantial boost of protein to keep you full until your next meal.
Sweet and Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas
Looking for a snack that’s reminiscent of honey-roasted peanuts? This sweet and crunchy roasted chickpea recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. By combining the warmth of cinnamon, the richness of brown sugar, and the subtle sweetness of maple syrup with just a hint of heat from cayenne pepper, we’ve created a flavor profile that’s both familiar and excitingly unique. Once roasted to perfection, these tasty treats are delightfully crunchy and almost irresistibly addictive.
One-Pan Mediterranean Chickpea Dinner
Taking its cue from the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, this one-pan chickpea dinner is a true celebration of Greek cuisine at its finest. The dish is bursting with the iconic ingredients that make the region so beloved: kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, pungent garlic, and juicy tomatoes all come together to create a culinary experience that’s as bright and briny as it is incredibly filling.
Whether you serve it as a side dish alongside your favorite protein or pair it with a bed of fluffy couscous or steaming rice as a main course, this one-pan wonder is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Chickpea Olive Salad Sandwich
Crafting a delicious vegan alternative, this chickpea olive salad may look like tuna salad at first glance, but rest assured it’s 100 percent free from animal products. In fact, many would argue that its unique flavor profile surpasses even the most popular non-vegan versions, such as tuna or chicken salad? The combination of briny olives and sweet roasted red peppers is a match made in heaven, perfectly complemented by the tender texture of chickpeas.
Golden Chickpea Soup
Make way for a new comfort food classic: golden chickpea soup. This satisfying and hearty soup is packed with nutritious ingredients like carrots, onions, celery, and kale, and gets an extra boost of protein from the addition of chickpeas. Unlike its more traditional counterpart, chicken noodle soup, this vegan-friendly option is not only easier to make but also remarkably affordable.
23 Easy Canned Chickpea Recipes to Put on Repeat
Browsing through the world of chickpea-based cuisine, it’s clear that these recipes have earned a special place in many hearts. From classic dips like hummus to hearty stews and fresh salads, the versatility of chickpeas is truly impressive.
Instructions
Focus on simplicity when it comes to meal prep, and choose a recipe that can be completed quickly. This could be anything from a classic canned chickpea dish that takes only 30 minutes to prepare, to a more elaborate recipe that still fits within your desired time frame.
