People who want to cook quickly
If you want to add chickpeas to a recipe without planning ahead for soaking, tins and jars are worth considering. Manger Bouger lists tinned or jarred pulses among the convenient options for quick recipes.
Who are these formats for?
Households preparing several portions
Dried chickpeas or a large container of cooked chickpeas can work well for meals prepared in advance. With dried chickpeas, you’ll need to allow time for preparation; with an opened container, you’ll need a plan for using up the leftovers.
People who check the label carefully
If ingredients, salt, allergens or the stated country of origin matter to you, check the product listed by your chosen store. Auchan says the ingredients of some products may vary depending on the store and the date of purchase.
What should you check before ordering?
Start by choosing between dried chickpeas, plain cooked chickpeas and a ready-seasoned recipe. Then match the format to the number of portions you need and check the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked. For dried chickpeas, allow time for soaking and check the cooking instructions. | I want to make a meal without having to plan ahead for soaking; around 33% of consumers are said to put speed at the top of their list of priorities. |
| Cooking in batches | Compare the quantity of dried chickpeas with the net drained weight of a large pack of cooked chickpeas, based on the portions you have in mind. | I prepare several meals in advance and can set aside time for cooking; planning ahead is said to be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Pack size and leftovers | Check the net drained weight, the number of containers and the storage instructions after opening. | I cook a few portions at a time and want to use everything once it’s open; around 20% of consumers are said to prioritise choosing the right pack size. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients and any allergens listed; compare the nutritional values per 100 g, especially the salt, and check the stated origin if it matters to you. | Before ordering, I need to choose a product whose label meets my specific requirements; around 20% of consumers are said to put this check ahead of other criteria. |
These formats aren’t interchangeable in every recipe. Dried chickpeas need to be prepared in advance: E.Leclerc, for example, recommends soaking them overnight. Plain tinned chickpeas let you season them yourself, while a ready-to-eat recipe contains other ingredients too. For instance, Carrefour’s product listing for Bonduelle chickpeas in couscous-style sauce says it contains 25% chickpeas, so the total product weight isn’t equivalent to the same quantity of plain chickpeas.
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing tins by their apparent size alone
When chickpeas are stored in liquid, the weight of the container alone doesn’t tell you how many chickpeas you’ll actually use. The net drained weight makes it easier to compare pack sizes.
Compare that quantity with the number of portions you plan to make, rather than assuming a larger container will be better for your meals.
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Opening a large pack without planning for leftovers
Storage instructions vary by product. The listing for one Auchan product says that, once opened, it should be transferred to a suitable airtight container, kept in the fridge and eaten within two days.
Choose a quantity you can use while following the instructions on the product you buy, or plan another recipe for the leftovers.
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Assuming all plain tinned chickpeas have the same label
Ingredients can vary between products. Auchan also notes that they may vary depending on the store and the date of purchase; the listings for two Monoprix pack sizes mention traces of gluten and soya.
If an ingredient or allergen affects your choice, check the listing from your chosen store before ordering, then check the label on the product you receive.
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Using a seasoned recipe as if it were plain chickpeas
A couscous-style dish or chickpea curry contains other ingredients. Its seasoning and total weight may not suit a recipe that calls for plain chickpeas.
Choose the product that suits the dish you’re planning to make, then read the ingredients list for the product you’ve selected.
Brands to compare
These examples show some of the differences in pack size and ingredients; they don’t represent every product from each brand.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers plain chickpeas in several pack sizes, including 265 g and 530 g net drained weight.
- The listing for the 265 g product gives the ingredients as soaked dried chickpeas, water and salt.
- To choose between pack sizes, check what’s available through your store and how much you need.
Notre Jardin
E.Leclerc’s brand offers tins of chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g sizes.
- The listings for these products give the ingredients as soaked chickpeas, water and salt.
- E.Leclerc lists several possible countries of origin for its chickpeas, depending on supply. If this matters to you, check the details for the product you buy.
Auchan
Auchan lists chickpea products in 265 g and 530 g pack sizes.
- The products described contain soaked chickpeas, water and salt.
- Auchan notes that ingredients and country of manufacture may vary depending on the store and the date of purchase.
Monoprix
Monoprix offers, among other options, a 265 g tin and a pack of three 130 g portions.
- These two formats let you choose between one container and several smaller portions.
- Their product listings mention traces of gluten and soya; check the label of the product you choose if this information is important to you.
Bonduelle
The range mentioned includes chickpeas in a couscous-style recipe, which is different from plain tinned chickpeas.
- This seasoned recipe is for a different use from chickpeas you want to add to a dish of your own.
- According to Carrefour’s listing for this product, chickpeas make up 25% of it; check the other ingredients before using it instead of plain chickpeas.
Joybuy products for these uses
This selection includes chickpeas for cooking and ready-seasoned recipes. To stock your cupboard, first choose the type of product that suits your meals, then check the quantity and label for each product.
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GÜNES VADIS chickpeas 820 g
This pack may suit a household planning several portions. Before comparing usable quantities, check the net drained weight on the packaging. Also check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions after opening.
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Bonduelle chickpeas in couscous-style sauce 400 g
Consider this if you’re looking for a ready-seasoned recipe rather than plain chickpeas. Carrefour’s listing for this product says it contains 25% chickpeas: the 400 g refers to the whole product, not just the chickpeas.
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ASHOKA Punjabi Choley 280 g
This seasoned chickpea dish is for a different use from plain chickpeas intended for one of your own recipes. If ingredients or allergens affect your choice, check the label for this product before buying.
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GÜNES VADIS chickpeas 540 g
This pack may suit you if you want several portions but don’t need the same brand’s 820 g container. To compare the quantity of chickpeas available, check the net drained weight shown on the product.
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TRS Chana Dal 2 kg
Worth considering for planned cooking, rather than as a direct replacement for plain tinned chickpeas. Chana dal is different from whole chickpeas, so check that it’s right for your recipe and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check on the label of chickpeas ordered for click and collect?
Check the product name, ingredients, any allergens listed, the quantity and the storage instructions. For chickpeas in liquid, the net drained weight tells you how many chickpeas you’ll have. The DGCCRF includes this information among the details to check on the labels of pre-packed food sold in France.
How can I compare the quantities in two tins?
If the chickpeas are in liquid, compare their net drained weights, then consider how much you’ll use once the tin is open. A seasoned recipe is different: its net weight includes the other ingredients too.
How long can I keep chickpeas after opening?
Follow the time limit and storage instructions on the product you’ve bought, rather than applying one brand’s guidance to all the others. For one Auchan product, the listing says to transfer the contents to a suitable airtight container, refrigerate and eat within two days.
Tinned or dried chickpeas for your cupboard?
Choose a tin or jar if you want to make a recipe quickly; go for dried chickpeas if you can plan ahead for preparation. Manger Bouger lists tins and jars as options for quick recipes, while E.Leclerc recommends soaking dried chickpeas overnight. In either case, follow the storage instructions for the product you choose.