To keep the salt down at an Asian-inspired dinner, choose chickpeas whose label says both ‘no added salt’ and gives a specific figure: Auchan’s listing for d’aucy organic chickpeas shows 0.08 g of salt per 100 g. Ready-to-use chickpeas can make preparation easier, but convenience doesn’t tell you how much salt they contain. Check the ingredients and drained net weight before choosing, too.
If you’re preparing a meal to share, you can choose chickpeas with a lower salt content before adding sauces and seasonings. Check the ‘salt’ line in the nutritional information per 100 g, even if the jar says ‘no added salt’.
For a stir-fry, salad or spicy side dish, pre-cooked chickpeas save you from having to start with soaking and cooking. Check the ingredients if you’d prefer to control the seasoning yourself.
The drained net weight helps you work out how much to serve. You may need several small jars, so don’t rely solely on the total weight shown on the packaging.
For this meal, check the salt content and ingredients first, then choose a format that suits the time you have to prepare the food and the quantity you need to serve.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Salt in the meal | Compare the ‘salt’ line per 100 g and the ingredients list. Auchan’s listing for the d’aucy jar with no added salt gives 0.08 g of salt per 100 g. | If the sauces already contain salt, I want to be able to control how much salt is in the chickpeas from the start. Around 50% of consumers would make controlling salt a priority. |
| Quick preparation | Check that the chickpeas are already cooked and read the draining instructions. ‘Very little juice’ doesn’t replace the nutritional information on salt. | When I’m preparing a meal on the day, I’d rather use pre-cooked chickpeas that I can season my own way. This convenience would be the main need for around 30% of consumers. |
| Quantity to serve | Compare the drained net weights and the number of portions you’re planning, while still checking the salt content. | When I’m cooking for a crowd, I need to know how many jars to open before I start the recipe. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this kind of planning. |
No added salt doesn’t mean there’s no salt at all: Auchan’s listing for d’aucy organic chickpeas gives 0.08 g of salt per 100 g, despite the ‘no added salt’ claim.
Compare the ‘salt’ line in the nutritional information, especially if you’re also using sauces or stock in the recipe.
A tin or jar can be convenient and still contain added salt. Listings for Auchan, ECO+ E.Leclerc and Monoprix standard chickpeas all include salt in the ingredients.
If keeping salt to a minimum is your priority, check the ingredients and the figure per 100 g rather than relying on how the product is prepared.
The d’aucy jar sold by Auchan contains 215 g net drained weight. This figure is more useful for planning portions than the weight including the liquid.
Work out how much you’ll need using the drained net weight of each format you’re considering, then check its salt content.
The d’aucy jar listing mentions possible traces of cereals containing gluten and soya. Instructions for storing the product after opening matter, too, if you won’t be using the whole contents.
Before preparing the meal, check the allergen and storage information on the jar you’ve bought.
An organic jarred option with no added salt, worth considering if the exact salt content matters to you.
Prosain offers an organic option with no added salt, for people who want to season ready-to-use chickpeas themselves.
Bonduelle offers chickpeas steamed in very little juice, for hot or cold recipes.
No. A product with no added salt can still contain some salt. For example, Auchan’s listing for d’aucy organic chickpeas gives 0.08 g of salt per 100 g. Compare this figure for the jars you’re considering.
Yes, for the d’aucy jar sold by Auchan, which recommends draining before use. Check the instructions for the product you choose. Draining alone doesn’t tell you how much salt the chickpeas will contain in the end.
The listing for d’aucy organic chickpeas with no added salt says to transfer the contents to an airtight container, refrigerate and preferably use within two days. Follow the instructions on the jar you’ve bought.
The format alone won’t tell you. Listings for standard Auchan, ECO+ E.Leclerc and Monoprix products all include salt in the ingredients; the Monoprix listing gives 0.4 g of salt per 100 g. Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.