Families making dinner tonight
For a curry, soup or side dish with no soaking required, cooked chickpeas are a convenient choice. Auchan, for example, offers ready-to-use tins.
Who are these formats for?
Households cooking for several meals
A pack of dried chickpeas lets you measure out the amount you need before cooking. E.Leclerc and Auchan offer this option, as long as you allow time for soaking and cooking.
People who pay close attention to ingredients
Whether you’re choosing plain tinned chickpeas, a prepared dish or dried chickpeas, check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product rather than assuming all recipes are the same.
What should you look for?
When choosing chickpeas for a family dinner, first decide when you’ll be cooking and how many tins you want to open. Format isn’t the only thing that matters: the drained weight and the label are important too.
Multipack of small tins
Choose this: if you want to open the tins as needed for several quick dinners.
Bear in mind: check the quantity in each tin, not just the total amount in the multipack.
Large tin of cooked chickpeas
Choose this: if you want to make a dish that uses a large quantity of chickpeas, without soaking them first.
Bear in mind: store any leftovers from an opened tin according to the instructions on its product page.
Pack of dried chickpeas
Choose this: if you want to measure out portions ahead of planned cooking.
Bear in mind: soaking and cooking mean dried chickpeas aren’t suitable for an impromptu meal.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked and read the preparation instructions. | If I decide what’s for dinner tonight, I want to avoid soaking and a long cooking time. Around 40% of consumers are said to rank speed as their top priority. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the number of tins and, where applicable, the drained weight shown on the label. | When I’m planning several meals, I prefer to open only the amount I need. Portion control is said to be a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any relevant soaking or storage instructions. | If I’m concerned about certain ingredients, I want to check the exact product before cooking. Checking the ingredients or instructions is said to come first for around 30% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a tin’s weight is the same as its chickpea content
A tin may contain liquid, so its net weight and drained net weight don’t necessarily refer to the same quantity.
When choosing between two tins, compare their drained net weights if these are shown on the labels. Compare dried chickpeas separately, as they need to be prepared.
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Planning to use dried chickpeas for dinner on the spur of the moment
The product information for Auchan dried chickpeas 500 g recommends soaking them for at least 12 hours, followed by around two hours of cooking in a saucepan.
Plan ahead for this preparation. If you’re starting to cook tonight, choose chickpeas that are already cooked instead.
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Assuming every recipe has the same ingredients
Ingredients and ‘may contain’ information can vary from one product to another, even within the same category.
Check the label on the product you choose. The DGCCRF notes that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
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Choosing a format without checking your store’s product listing
The format offered by a retailer may vary depending on the store or the collection option you choose.
Before adding it to your basket, check the number of tins and the quantity of the product actually on offer.
Retailers to know when comparing formats
Carrefour
Carrefour offers several Carrefour Classic’ formats, including individual tins and a multipack of 3 × 200 g.
- The multipack lets you spread the tins across several meals.
- Check which format is available at your store or for click and collect.
Auchan
Auchan’s range includes a Bonduelle multipack of 3 × 265 g, an 800 g Samia tin and a 1 kg pack of Auchan dried chickpeas.
- These products let you compare pack sizes to suit different cooking routines.
- Check the ingredients and instructions for the version available through your chosen click-and-collect service.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc provides preparation advice for dried chickpeas, including soaking them first.
- Dried chickpeas let you measure out an amount to suit your meal before cooking.
- You’ll need to plan ahead for the preparation time.
Monoprix
The Monoprix product considered here is a 265 g tin, rather than a multipack.
- This format can be a good fit for a recipe that needs just one tin.
- The product information mentions traces of gluten and soya. Check the label if this is relevant to you.
Aldi
The Aldi product identified is a 400 g tin of Les Jardins de Laylah chickpeas, rather than a family-sized multipack.
- The stated quantity helps you compare this tin with multipacks and larger formats.
- Check what’s available at your store before planning to use this product for dinner.
Chickpeas available on Joybuy
These pack sizes give you the option of making dinner with a larger quantity or planning ahead for future meals. Check the quantity and preparation instructions for each product before choosing.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 g
If your dinner calls for a generous amount, this 820 g format means you won’t need to open several smaller containers. Check the drained net weight on the packaging to work out how much chickpea you’ll have to use.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 g
This 540 g format could suit you if you need a smaller amount for dinner. Compare the drained net weight on the label with the quantity your recipe calls for.
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Valle Del Sole Chickpeas 900 g
If you’re cooking several portions in advance, compare this 900 g pack with the amount you’ll need. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the packaging before planning your meal.
Frequently asked questions
How many dried chickpeas should you allow per person?
E.Leclerc recommends allowing 80 g of dried chickpeas per person. Adjust the amount to suit your recipe and the other ingredients in your meal; this is a guide, not a nutritional requirement.
Can you cook dried chickpeas for an impromptu dinner?
Not if you’re only starting to prepare them when you begin cooking: the product information for Auchan dried chickpeas 500 g recommends soaking them for at least 12 hours, followed by around two hours of cooking in a saucepan. If you want dinner without the wait, choose chickpeas that are already cooked.
How long can you keep a large tin once it’s opened?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. Auchan’s product information for Samia chickpeas 800 g says to keep them in the fridge for three days after opening; this doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
What should you check on the label if you’re concerned about certain ingredients?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted. Also check for any product-specific ‘may contain’ information.