Anyone putting together a last-minute picnic
If you want to make a salad or side without soaking or cooking anything before you leave, choose chickpeas that are already cooked, either tinned or in a jar.
Who are these formats for?
Small groups looking to avoid leftovers
If you’re catering for one or two people, compare smaller containers and multipacks of individual portions with the drained weight of a large tin.
Anyone who checks the label carefully
If origin, organic certification, salt, ingredients or allergen warnings matter to you, check the details on the exact product you’re buying: they can vary from one product to another.
What should you look for before buying?
For a picnic in the park, start by thinking about how much time you have to prepare the food. Then choose the right quantity and check the label on the product you’ve picked.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Quick preparation | Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked or need soaking and cooking. | If I’m putting the meal together just before setting off, I want to avoid cooking chickpeas that morning; around 36% of consumers would make speed their top priority. |
| Portions and leftovers | Compare the drained weight and, for a multipack, the number of containers. | If I’m catering for one or two people, I’d rather open the right amount than deal with a large tin that’s already been opened; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, salt content per 100 g and allergen information. | If someone in my group needs to avoid an allergen, or I’m keeping an eye on ingredients, I check the exact product before preparing the meal; around 21% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Origin and organic certification | Look for origin details and organic certification on the product you’ve chosen. | If origin or production methods influence what I buy, details specific to the product matter more to me than the retailer’s name; around 14% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
Picnic-shopping mistakes to avoid
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Going by the large weight printed on the pack alone
The total weight of a tin includes the liquid it’s packed in, so it doesn’t necessarily tell you how many chickpeas you’ll be serving.
Compare the drained weight where it’s provided, then choose the amount based on how many people you’re catering for and what else you’ll be serving.
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Making a large salad without planning how to keep it fresh
Storage instructions after opening vary by product. An Auchan product says to transfer the contents to an airtight container, refrigerate and eat within two days; Anses advises that cold temperatures slow the growth of micro-organisms.
Follow the instructions on the packaging. If your salad contains ingredients that need to be kept chilled, use a cool bag with ice packs to transport it.
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Assuming every product has the same ingredients
Ingredients, allergen information and origin can differ. For example, E.Leclerc lists several possible origins for a Notre Jardin product, depending on supply.
Check the label on the product you buy, especially if its origin or an allergen affects your choice.
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Buying dried chickpeas when you’re setting off straight away
For the dried chickpeas sold by E.Leclerc, the instructions recommend soaking them overnight and cooking them in a pan for around 1 h 30.
Save dried chickpeas for a meal you can prepare in advance; if you’re heading off soon, choose a product that’s already cooked.
Retailers and brands to know
Carrefour
Carrefour offers Carrefour Classic’ chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g formats, as well as a Carrefour Bio product.
- These formats make it easier to compare quantities for the number of people you’re catering for.
- The French origin listed for one Carrefour Bio product may not apply to other products from the retailer.
E.Leclerc
The Notre Jardin range includes a 530 g format and a pack of 3 × 130 g portions.
- With the multipack, you can open only some of the containers for a small picnic.
- For the 530 g Notre Jardin product, E.Leclerc lists the origin as varying between the United States, France and Mexico depending on supply.
Auchan
Auchan offers chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g formats, as well as a pack of 3 × 125 g portions.
- Separate containers can make it easier to serve the right amount.
- Ingredients may vary depending on the product and when you buy it, so check the label again, especially for allergen information.
ALDI
ALDI offers ALL SEASONS® chickpeas in a 265 g format in its tinned-foods aisle.
- This format may suit you if you’re looking for a single container rather than a large tin.
- Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergen information for the product you buy.
Monoprix
Monoprix offers own-brand chickpeas in a 265 g format.
- The product listing gives chickpeas, water and salt as the ingredients.
- The same listing mentions possible traces of gluten and soya, which is important if anyone in your group needs to avoid these allergens.
Chickpeas available on Joybuy
This selection includes two formats of chickpeas to consider for quick preparation, plus a pack of dried chickpeas to cook before your picnic. Compare the amount you’ll need with the details for each product before choosing.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 g
This jar of cooked chickpeas is handy for a salad you can put together shortly before setting off.
The stated pack size is 540 g; check the drained weight to work out how much you’ll be serving. If the ingredients matter to you, check the label: the product listing mentions sodium metabisulphite as one of the possible antioxidants.
Once opened, follow the product’s instructions for transferring and refrigerating the contents.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 g
This pack of cooked chickpeas may be a good choice if you’re preparing a larger quantity without having to cook on the day of the picnic.
The stated net weight is 820 g: check the drained weight if the amount of chickpeas you’ll be serving is a deciding factor.
The product listing mentions lupin; check the label if anyone in your group needs to avoid this allergen. Refrigerate after opening, following the product’s instructions.
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Valle Del Sole Dried Chickpeas 900 g
This pack is suitable if you can cook the chickpeas before the day of your picnic; they’re not ready to eat.
The pack contains 900 g of dried chickpeas. Check the packaging for soaking and cooking instructions specific to this product.
The product listing warns that it may contain traces of gluten from wheat and barley; check the label if this could affect anyone in your group.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose dried chickpeas for an impromptu picnic?
No, not if you need to prepare the food quickly: choose chickpeas that are already cooked. The instructions for the dried chickpeas sold by E.Leclerc recommend soaking them overnight, then cooking them in a pan for around 1 h 30.
How can I work out how many chickpeas to take?
Compare the drained weight, which tells you how much chickpea you get without the liquid, then adjust your choice based on how many people you’re catering for and what else you’ll be serving. With a pack of smaller containers, you can open only some of them.
How should I store chickpeas once opened?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. An Auchan tin says to transfer the contents to an airtight container, keep it in the fridge and eat within two days of opening; don’t assume the same timeframe applies to other products.
Can I leave chickpea salad in the sun during a picnic?
Keep the salad chilled if it contains ingredients that need to be refrigerated. Anses advises that low temperatures slow the growth of micro-organisms; a cool bag with ice packs is suitable for transporting this kind of food.
Are all tinned chickpeas free from allergens?
No: allergen information varies between products. The listing for Monoprix 265 g chickpeas mentions traces of gluten and soya; check the label on the product you’re serving.