For a group meal where everything will be eaten, a large tin of ready-to-eat chickpeas is convenient. If you can’t rely on refrigeration, or you’re planning several meals, smaller packs let you open only what you need. Dried chickpeas require you to plan for water, equipment and preparation time. Also check the drained weight of tinned chickpeas, storage instructions once opened and the label on each product.
If you’re planning several meals and can’t keep leftovers chilled, opening one small tin at a time makes things easier. Multi-packs of smaller portions from Auchan, E.Leclerc and Monoprix let you open them as needed.
For a salad or shared dish prepared on the day, one large tin can save you opening several smaller packs. Just make sure you’ll use all of it or can follow the storage instructions once opened.
Dried chickpeas are an option if you can plan for their preparation and cooking. Make sure you have the water, equipment and time you’ll need, rather than treating them as a ready-to-serve food.
First, work out how many chickpeas you’ll eat at each meal and whether you’ll be able to refrigerate any leftovers. Then choose between a ready-to-eat product and dried chickpeas that need preparing.
| What to consider | What to check | Who might this suit? |
|---|---|---|
| Leftovers without refrigeration | The size of each pack and the storage instructions once opened. The Auchan product information says to refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and eat them within 2 days. | If I can’t keep an opened tin chilled, I’d rather open a small pack that I can finish with my meal. Around 24% of consumers prioritise avoiding opened leftovers. |
| Enough for a family meal | The drained weight shown on the pack and the number of people eating together, rather than just the words ‘family size’. | When the whole group is eating together, I look for enough to use without having to open several tins. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Whether the chickpeas are ready to eat or dried, and the cooking instructions for dried chickpeas. | After a day camping, I want to make a meal without having to cook dried chickpeas first. That’s why around 29% of consumers prioritise quick preparation. |
| Label and condition of the packaging | The ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions, and whether the tin is free from rust, dents or bulging. | If an allergen warning is relevant to me, I need to read the label on the product I’m taking. I also check that the tin is intact. For around 18% of consumers, these checks come before other criteria. |
A tin with a drained weight of 530 g, like the one shown by Auchan, could be right for a group meal. But it may be difficult to manage if there are leftovers once opened and you can’t rely on refrigeration.
Estimate how much you’ll eat at the same meal. If you’re not sure, compare it with separate 125 g or 130 g packs, and check the storage instructions once opened.
The DGCCRF says that bulging, rust or dents can indicate that the product has deteriorated.
Inspect tins before setting off and before opening them. Don’t use a tin showing any of these signs, or if you have any doubts about its condition.
Product information for some Monoprix and Bonduelle products warns that they may contain traces of gluten or soya. The ingredients may also vary between products.
If these warnings are relevant to you, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging you’re taking, rather than relying on the words ‘chickpeas’ alone.
Dried chickpeas need preparing and cooking. For example, E.Leclerc gives a pressure-cooking time of 40 minutes in 1.5 times their volume of water for one product. These instructions don’t apply to every pack.
Check the instructions on the pack you choose and make sure you’ll have the water, cooking equipment and time you need at your destination.
Auchan offers, among other options, a 530 g drained-weight tin of chickpeas and a pack of 3 x 125 g.
This brand, available from E.Leclerc, offers chickpeas in a pack of 3 x 130 g.
Monoprix offers ready-to-eat chickpeas in a pack of 3 x 130 g, as well as a 265 g tin.
Carrefour offers a tin of chickpeas with a drained weight of 265 g.
A 260 g Bonduelle product sold by Monoprix contains cooked chickpeas with very little juice.
These products suit different camping needs: a large pack of chickpeas for a shared meal, a pack of dried chickpeas to prepare, and a prepared dish that’s different from plain chickpeas. Before choosing, compare the amount you’ll actually need for your meal and any preparation involved.
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This size could work for a shared meal if you’re planning to use everything once opened.
The product name gives the quantity as 540 g. Check the drained weight separately when planning portions. Also read the storage instructions for once opened in case you have leftovers.
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Consider this large pack if several people will be eating the chickpeas at the same meal and any leftovers can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging.
The 820 g shown in the product name doesn’t specify the drained weight, so check this before working out portions. Also read the label if lupin is relevant to you.
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This pack of dried chickpeas is suitable for a trip where you can plan for preparation and cooking, rather than a meal you want to serve straight away.
The pack size shown is 900 g. Check the instructions before you set off so you can plan for the water, equipment and time you’ll need. Also check the label if gluten information is relevant to you.
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This prepared recipe is for anyone looking for a chickpea-based dish, rather than plain chickpeas to add to a recipe as they wish.
The pack size shown is 400 g. Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergen information before planning to take this dish camping.
Yes, if you plan to eat everything at the meal when you open it. For the Auchan product in question, leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and eaten within 2 days. If you can’t follow these instructions, a smaller pack that you can finish may be more convenient.
No: check the condition of the tin too. The DGCCRF warns that bulging, rust or dents can indicate that the product has deteriorated. Don’t use a tin showing any of these signs, or if you have any doubts about its condition.
It depends on the recipe and the product instructions, rather than there being one rule for every tin. Read the ingredients list and, if you want to rinse them, make sure you have enough water with you.
No: possible traces vary by product. Some Monoprix and Bonduelle product information mentions gluten or soya. Check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re going to eat.
No: it depends on whether you can prepare and cook them at your destination. If you need a quick meal, choose ready-to-eat chickpeas instead. If you take dried chickpeas, follow the instructions for that specific pack so you can plan for the water and cooking time.