Busy winter cooks
You want to add chickpeas to a soup, curry or another hot dish without having to plan ahead for soaking. Tins and jars of ready-cooked chickpeas are ideal when you need to get a meal ready quickly.
Who are these options for?
Shoppers keeping an eye on sugar figures
You compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure on specific products and want to distinguish this nutritional information from the regulated claim ‘reduced in sugars’.
Cooks preparing several portions
You plan your slow-cooked dishes in advance and can allow time for soaking and cooking dried chickpeas.
What should you check first?
For an evening meal with no advance preparation, look for ready-cooked chickpeas. If you’re cooking ahead, consider dried chickpeas too. Choosing a particular format doesn’t replace checking the nutritional information for the product you select.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick preparation | Choose ready-cooked chickpeas and read the instructions for use after opening. | When I’m making soup on a weeknight, I want to avoid soaking and a long cooking time. Speed is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Sugar figures | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar products; distinguish this figure from a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim. | When choosing between plain products, I want to check their sugar content without mistaking a low figure for a proven reduction. Checking sugar is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Cooking in larger quantities | Check the weight of the pack of dried chickpeas and the soaking and cooking instructions. | If I’m preparing several portions in advance, I can allow time for dried chickpeas. Around 25% of consumers therefore prioritise cooking in larger quantities. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a low sugar figure with ‘reduced in sugars’
A low nutritional figure doesn’t prove that a product has less sugar than another. The EU regulation on nutrition claims, published on EUR-Lex, sets out a requirement for a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product for a reduced-content claim, among other conditions.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure on similar products. If a product claims to be ‘reduced in sugars’, also check which similar product it is being compared with.
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Choosing a tin without reading the rest of the label
Quick preparation tells you nothing about salt or allergens. Product pages for some Auchan and Monoprix products mention possible traces of gluten or soya.
Before buying, check the ingredients, salt per 100 g and allergen declaration for the exact product.
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Planning to use dried chickpeas for an immediate meal
E.Leclerc’s preparation guide recommends soaking overnight, followed by around 1 h 30 of cooking in a saucepan.
Save dried chickpeas for meals you can plan ahead; if you want to cook without waiting, choose ready-cooked chickpeas.
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Overlooking storage instructions after opening
For its 530 g product, Auchan advises transferring any leftovers to a suitable airtight container, refrigerating them and using them within two days.
Follow the storage time and conditions shown on the product you’ve opened.
Retailers and brands to look at
Carrefour
Its chickpea range lets you compare different formats, including dried products and tins.
- Useful for comparing the format and ingredients of different products.
- Check the details for the product you choose: the range may vary by store and collection option.
E.Leclerc
Its chickpea guide offers preparation advice for dried chickpeas.
- It recommends 80 g of dried chickpeas per person, soaking overnight and cooking in a saucepan for around 1 h 30.
- To compare sugar or salt, check the nutritional values on each pack you’re considering.
Auchan
The product page for its 530 g chickpeas gives ingredients and nutritional values to compare.
- This product lists less than 0.5 g of sugars and 0.4 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the ingredients and any allergen warnings on the product you actually buy.
Lidl
Its stuffed pepper recipe shows one way to use cooked chickpeas in a hot dish.
- The recipe can help you decide whether ready-cooked chickpeas will suit the dish you have planned.
- When buying the ingredients, check the format and composition of the product you choose separately.
Aldi
The retailer lists a 265 g tin of ALL SEASONS® chickpeas.
- This format is worth considering if you’re looking for tinned chickpeas.
- Check the product label for its sugar, salt and allergen information.
Monoprix
The product page for its 265 g chickpeas lists the ingredients and possible allergen traces.
- It lists chickpeas, water and salt, and mentions possible traces of gluten and soya.
- If you’re choosing based on sugar content, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the exact product.
Joybuy products for winter dishes
The first two options could work in a hot dish made with ready-cooked chickpeas; Punjabi Choley is more suited to a curry that just needs reheating. Compare the labels if sugar, salt or allergens are important to your choice.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 g
Worth considering for a hot dish without the need for soaking. The product information mentions lupin, so check the allergen declaration if relevant to you, along with the instructions for use after opening.
The ‘of which sugars’ figure alone isn’t enough to establish a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 g
Worth considering for a quick hot meal, in a 540 g format. Check the drained weight if it will determine how many portions you can make.
The product page gives salt information as a range; use the label on the product you buy to compare nutritional values.
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ASHOKA Punjabi Choley 280 g
This chickpea dish is worth considering if you’re looking for a curry to heat up, rather than plain chickpeas to add to your own recipe.
Sugar is listed among the ingredients. Compare sugar and salt on the label, and check the allergen declaration for the exact product.
Frequently asked questions
Does less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g mean ‘reduced in sugars’?
No: this figure doesn’t prove a reduction compared with a similar product. The EU regulation on nutrition claims, published on EUR-Lex, requires a reduction of at least 30% for a reduced-content claim, among other conditions. Check what any claim on the exact product is being compared with.
Which format should you choose for a quick winter dinner?
Ready-cooked chickpeas in a tin or jar save you from having to plan for the soaking and long cooking time needed for dried chickpeas. Monoprix describes its Bonduelle product as ready to use as soon as you open it; check the instructions for the product you buy.
How long can you keep chickpeas after opening?
Follow the instructions on the product you buy, as storage times can vary. For its 530 g chickpeas, Auchan advises transferring them to a suitable airtight container, storing them in the fridge and using them within two days.
What should you check if gluten or soya is a concern?
Check the allergen and trace warning on the exact product. Product pages for some Auchan and Monoprix products mention possible traces of gluten or soya; this information shouldn’t be applied to all chickpeas sold by these retailers.