
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
How To Cook Canned Chickpeas
- Drain the canned chickpeas
- Rinse canned chickpeas with water.
- Place chickpeas in a medium saucepan with 1/2 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 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.

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….
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

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 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.
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
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
Bernice
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thanks for the ideas on chick a peas
Wendi Spraker
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Hi Bernice! You are SO welcome!
Moses
Saturday 11th of April 2020
Why must we always drain the canned water/liquid?
Wendi Spraker
Saturday 11th of April 2020
Hi Moses, the reason to drain the liquid (especially with chick peas) is because the canning liquid is often very starchy and sometimes picks up flavors from the can. Lots of times it just doesn't taste good.
Willie
Saturday 28th of March 2020
Thank you
Wendi Spraker
Saturday 28th of March 2020
Hi Willie! You are welcome!
Effie
Sunday 15th of March 2020
Wonderful I didn’t no if you cooked can Chick Peas so this was really helpful Thank You
Wendi Spraker
Sunday 15th of March 2020
Hi Effie! Most people use chickpeas in salads and what not but they are excellent just cooked like this! Try it! :). Hope you enjoy!