If you’re planning several meals close together, choose a large tin of cooked chickpeas if you can use the contents after opening. A multipack of smaller tins lets you portion out your cooking. Dried chickpeas are a good option if you want to measure out the amount to cook and can plan ahead for soaking and cooking. Before you check out for click and collect, check the usable weight, storage instructions and availability at your chosen shop.
If you’re cooking chickpeas for several people or recipes planned close together, a large tin can save you from having to restock. Carrefour and Auchan offer ranges that include large tins of cooked chickpeas. Choose one based on how much you can use and the storage instructions after opening.
For a salad or a one-off recipe, opening several small tins at different times may be more convenient than opening a large one. Auchan and E.Leclerc both offer multipacks of portion-sized tins.
A bag of dried chickpeas lets you measure out the amount you want to prepare. However, you’ll need to allow time for soaking and cooking, unlike with a cooked, ready-to-use option.
Choose this if: you have several meals or people to cater for, so you can use a larger quantity quickly.
Bear in mind: an opened tin may not be practical for a small, one-off recipe.
Choose this if: you cook with chickpeas regularly, but only need a small amount each time.
Bear in mind: you’ll have several packs rather than one large tin.
Choose this if: you want to measure out the amount before cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to soak and cook them before your meal.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for several meals | Compare the net drained weight of tins, where shown, and check the storage instructions after opening. | If I’m preparing several meals close together, I want enough chickpeas without opening a new tin for each recipe. Around 40% of consumers may put this need first. |
| Portions without leftovers | Check the weight of each tin in the multipack, not just the total weight. | For occasional use, I’d rather open a small amount than keep a large tin open. Avoiding leftovers would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Check whether the chickpeas are cooked and ready to use, or dried and need preparing. | When a meal hasn’t been planned well in advance, I look for a product that doesn’t need soaking first. Speed would be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Specific features | Check the product name and ingredients list for the exact item if you’re looking for an organic option, no added salt or large chickpeas. | If I’m looking for a specific feature, I want it to be stated on the product I order, whatever the format. This would be the main consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
The tins and multipacks listed by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc come in different sizes. A large pack is only useful if its contents match the meals you have planned.
Estimate how much you’ll need for your recipes, then check the net drained weight if it’s listed.
You may have some chickpeas left over after cooking, while multipacks let you open the tins separately.
If you only use chickpeas occasionally, compare the small packs available with the amount your recipe calls for.
Plan how you’ll use and store any leftovers after opening.
Dried chickpeas need to be prepared in advance. According to the brand, Bonduelle’s cooked chickpeas are ready to use without soaking or lengthy cooking.
If you need to prepare your meal quickly, check that the product you choose is sold cooked.
With dried chickpeas, allow time for soaking and cooking.
Availability depends on your collection point. When checked, a Carrefour product page stated that its 800 g Samia tin wasn’t available for click and collect.
Select your shop before checking out and, if needed, look for another suitable format.
Carrefour’s range includes Carrefour Classic' cooked chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g tins by net drained weight, as well as a multipack of three 200 g tins.
E.Leclerc offers Notre Jardin chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g tins, as well as a 3 × 130 g multipack, by net drained weight.
Auchan’s range includes chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g tins and a 3 × 125 g multipack, as well as a 330 g jar of organic chickpeas.
Auchan offers Bonduelle cooked chickpeas in several pack sizes, including 2 × 130 g and 3 × 265 g.
Carrefour and Auchan list Samia large chickpeas in their ranges, including an 800 g tin and a 1 kg bag.
These two GÜNES VADIS chickpea packs, weighing 540 g and 820 g, are suited to households planning to use a larger quantity. When choosing between them, consider how much you’ll use after opening. Don’t confuse the weight shown on the pack with the drained weight.
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This size may suit you if you’re planning to use the contents in several meals close together.
The pack size is listed as 540 gr. Check the drained weight on the label to find out how much you’ll get.
The product details mention sodium metabisulphite. Check the ingredients if you need to avoid this ingredient. Also follow the storage instructions on the product after opening.
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This pack may suit several planned meals if you can use the amount once opened.
The stated weight is 820 gr. Check the drained weight to find out how much chickpea you can use.
The product details mention lupin. Check the label if this allergen is relevant to you. Follow the storage instructions after opening.
A large tin is a good choice if you plan to use the contents in meals close together. If each recipe only needs a small amount, a multipack of separate tins can save you from keeping a large tin open. Check the net drained weight of each product.
If you want to make a meal without having to plan for soaking and cooking, choose a product labelled as cooked or ready to use. Dried chickpeas are suitable if you can plan ahead and want to measure out the amount before cooking.
Check whether the packaging shows a use-by date or a best-before date: the two mean different things. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control distinguishes a use-by date from the wording “best before”, which is used with a best-before date. Also follow the manufacturer’s instructions after opening.