Busy Easter hosts
You want to add chickpeas to a salad, hummus, couscous or side dish without having to soak them or cook them for a long time. Manger Bouger lists jars and tins among the convenient formats for preparing pulses quickly.
Who are they for?
People preparing several portions
You’re cooking for several guests or for more than one meal. A tin’s stated capacity doesn’t necessarily tell you how many chickpeas you’ll have once drained, so check the drained weight when planning portions.
People who check ingredients carefully
You’re looking for plain, organic or no-added-salt chickpeas, or need to check allergens and may-contain warnings for your household. Check these details on the label of the product you choose rather than assuming them from the brand or product category.
What should you check?
First decide whether your recipe needs chickpeas that are ready to use, or whether you have time to prepare dried ones. Then choose the quantity and ingredients that suit your meal.
Tinned or jarred
Choose these: when you want to add cooked chickpeas to a dish quickly.
Bear in mind: the liquid contributes to the net weight, so check the drained weight and instructions for storing leftovers.
Dried chickpeas
Choose these: if you’ve planned your meal in advance and dried chickpeas suit your recipe.
Bear in mind: follow the preparation instructions on the packet. The weight before preparation isn’t directly comparable with the drained weight of tinned chickpeas.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Look for “cooked” or “ready to use”; for dried products, check the preparation instructions. | If I decide what to serve at the last minute, I want to be able to add chickpeas without a lengthy preparation. Around 36% of consumers would put speed first. |
| Usable quantity | Check the drained weight of tinned chickpeas, then consider the pack size in relation to the meals you’re planning. | To serve several guests without opening too many packs or leaving leftovers, I need to estimate how many usable portions I’ll get. Around 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, nutrition information, allergens and may-contain warnings on the exact product label. | If ingredients or an allergen matter to my household, I need to check the details of the product I buy. Around 21% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
| Exact product | Check for an organic label, stated country of origin or the format you want, and make sure the product is available at your chosen shop. | If my recipe needs a particular format, or I’m looking for an organic label or a specific origin, another product may not be suitable. Around 14% of consumers would put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Using the tin size to estimate portions
The net weight of a tin may include the liquid, so it doesn’t tell you on its own how many chickpeas you’ll be serving.
Check the drained weight and compare it with the number of guests or meals you’re planning for.
-
Assuming all plain varieties have the same ingredients
Auchan says the ingredients in its 530 g product may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase. The words “chickpeas” alone aren’t enough to answer questions about ingredients or allergens.
If you have a specific dietary requirement, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you actually buy.
-
Opening a large pack without planning for leftovers
Auchan’s product information for its 530 g chickpeas says to refrigerate them in a suitable airtight container and eat them within two days of opening.
Choose a pack size that suits the meals you have planned, then follow the storage instructions for your specific product to keep any leftovers.
A pack that’s too large can lead to waste if you don’t use its contents in line with the instructions after opening.
-
Confusing a best-before date with a use-by date
The French Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a best-before date (DDM), shown as “best before”, and a use-by date (DLC). It lists tinned foods among the products that can carry a best-before date.
Read the exact wording on the date and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t overlook the condition of the packaging.
Retailers to consider for the format you want
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes chickpeas from several brands in different pack sizes.
- Carrefour Classic’ is available in 265 g, 420 g and 530 g packs, as well as a pack of 3 × 200 g.
- Check which product and pack size are available at your store or through your chosen collection option.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc lists a 265 g pack of Eco+ chickpeas.
- The ingredients shown are “soaked chickpeas, water, salt”.
- The product page advises checking availability with your E.Leclerc store. The chickpeas’ country of origin may vary depending on supply.
Auchan
Auchan’s range includes plain chickpeas, an Auchan Bio product in a jar and a D’Aucy no-added-salt variety.
- The Auchan products listed include 265 g and 530 g packs.
- Auchan says the information for its 530 g product may vary depending on the online grocery service and date of purchase, so check the local product page and packaging.
Lidl
Lidl’s GOLDENSUN organic pulses range includes a dried chickpea variety.
- This variety is a good option if you’re looking for a dried product to prepare and it suits the recipe you have in mind.
- Check whether it’s available at your supermarket when you do your shop.
ALDI
ALDI lists 265 g tins of ALL SEASONS chickpeas.
- The 265 g pack is a smaller option than a 530 g product.
- Check that this product is part of your store’s range.
Monoprix
Monoprix lists 530 g packs of ready-to-use chickpeas.
- The ingredients shown are “chickpeas, water, salt”; the product page also provides nutrition information.
- If allergens are a consideration for your household, check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy.
Joybuy products by format
These products suit different Easter cooking needs: chickpeas to add to a recipe, seasoned dishes to heat up and dried chana dal to prepare. A ready-made dish isn’t a substitute for plain chickpeas in every recipe.
Image unavailable
GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 gr
Worth considering if you’re planning to add chickpeas to several portions.
Check the drained weight when planning portions, and check the label for lupin if this is relevant to your household.
Image unavailable
GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 gr
Consider this size for a chickpea recipe that needs less than the 820 gr pack.
Check the drained weight and the label on the exact product. Pay particular attention to allergen information and the ingredient containing metabisulphite.
Image unavailable
BONDUELLE Cooked Chickpeas in Couscous Sauce 400g
Worth considering as a seasoned dish, rather than for adding plain chickpeas to a salad or hummus.
The pack is 400g. Check the label if information about soya or cereals containing gluten is important to your household.
Image unavailable
ASHOKA Punjabi Choley 280g
Consider this for a seasoned chickpea dish to heat up, rather than as a substitute for plain tinned chickpeas in a recipe.
The pack is 280g. Check the nutrition information for salt content if this matters to you.
Image unavailable
TRS Chana Dal 500 gr
Consider this for a planned meal if chana dal suits your recipe. It isn’t a ready-to-use tinned product.
The pack is 500 gr. Check the preparation instructions and may-contain warnings before use.
Frequently asked questions
Are tinned chickpeas suitable for a last-minute Easter meal?
Yes, if your recipe calls for cooked chickpeas. Manger Bouger lists jars and tins as a quick way to prepare pulses. Drain them as needed for your recipe and follow the packaging instructions for any leftovers.
How do I compare the quantity in a bag of dried chickpeas with that in a tin?
Compare them in their respective states before use: the bag gives the weight of the dried product, while the drained weight on a tin tells you how much you’ll have once the liquid is removed. Check the dried product’s preparation instructions before planning your meal, too.
How should I store tinned chickpeas after opening?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. Auchan’s product information for its 530 g pack says to use a suitable airtight container in the fridge and eat the chickpeas within two days. Don’t automatically apply this storage time to other products.
What should I check on the label if the ingredients matter to my household?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact product packaging. For prepacked foods in France, the DGCCRF also lists the product name, nutrition information, net quantity and applicable date among the required labelling information.