Who are these options for?

Picnickers in a hurry

You’re making a salad shortly before you leave. Whether the chickpeas are already cooked, the size of the tin and the storage instructions after opening matter more than preparing them from dried.

Shoppers who check the labels

You compare the sugars, salt, ingredients and allergens in specific products. Plain tinned chickpeas and a prepared recipe won’t necessarily have the same ingredients.

Anyone preparing food in advance

You’d like to cook and season dried chickpeas yourself. This means allowing time to soak and cook them before you set off, as E.Leclerc explains in its preparation advice.

What should you check first?

First decide whether you want ready-cooked chickpeas or to prepare them from dried, then compare the labels of products intended for the same use. If you’re taking a tin to the park, the drained weight and storage instructions after opening matter too.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Convenience and pack size Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked, then look at the drained weight and storage instructions after opening. E.Leclerc says dried chickpeas need to soak overnight before cooking. If I’m making my salad shortly before setting off, I want to use the chickpeas without waiting for them to cook. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Sugars and ingredients Compare the ‘of which sugars’ and salt figures per 100 g, as well as the ingredients list, across products intended for the same use. Product information from Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc shows that values vary between plain tinned chickpeas. When choosing between two tins of plain chickpeas, I want to know what’s in each rather than rely on a claim on the packaging. Around 30% of consumers put checking the label first.
Preparing them at home Allow time for soaking and cooking before choosing dried chickpeas. E.Leclerc recommends around 1 h 30 in a saucepan or 40 minutes in a pressure cooker, after soaking overnight. When I’m planning the picnic in advance, I prefer to cook the chickpeas and choose the seasoning myself. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this approach.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Comparing a prepared recipe with plain tinned chickpeas as if they were the same

    Monoprix’s product information for Bonduelle’s couscous-style preparation lists 25% chickpeas, along with vegetables, sugar, salt and spices. It isn’t intended for the same purpose as a tin of plain chickpeas.

    Decide whether you want to season the chickpeas yourself or take a prepared recipe with you. Then compare the ingredients and per-100 g values of products intended for the same use.

  • Buying dried chickpeas when you haven’t planned ahead

    According to E.Leclerc’s advice, dried chickpeas need to soak overnight before cooking. They’re no substitute for ready-cooked chickpeas if you decide to go on a picnic on the day.

    Save dried chickpeas for when you can plan ahead; if you’re setting off soon, look for chickpeas that are already cooked.

  • Overlooking storage instructions after opening and allergen information

    For its 3 x 125 g product, Auchan advises storing the chickpeas in the fridge in an airtight container after opening and eating them within two days. Monoprix’s 265 g product information warns that it may contain traces of gluten and soya.

    Check the instructions for the product you’ve bought before taking it with you, especially if you’re opening the tin in advance or someone needs to avoid particular allergens.

  • Assuming ‘reduced sugar’ tells you everything you need to know

    A reduced-sugar claim doesn’t tell you the ‘of which sugars’ value for a specific product. Plain tinned chickpeas and seasoned preparations may also contain different ingredients.

    Identify the exact product and check its nutrition information per 100 g. If it claims to have less sugar, check which product it’s being compared with.

Retailers and brands to know

These examples show different pack sizes and ingredients to check on the product label. A retailer’s inclusion here doesn’t mean its products are ranked.

Carrefour

Carrefour offers, among other products, a 400 g tin of Luce organic chickpeas, with a net drained weight of 240 g.

  • The product information for Luce lists 0.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • When working out how much salad to make, remember that the 400 g tin contains 240 g of drained chickpeas.

E.Leclerc / Notre Jardin

According to E.Leclerc’s product information, the 530 g Notre Jardin product contains soaked chickpeas, water and salt.

  • The product information lists 0.7 g of sugars and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g, making both useful figures to compare with other plain tinned chickpeas.
  • The stated country of origin varies depending on supply, and may be the United States, France or Mexico. If this matters to you, check the information on the product you choose.

Auchan

Auchan offers chickpeas in a 3 x 125 g multipack, which may suit your picnic if you want smaller portions.

  • The product information lists 0.4 g of sugars and 0.45 g of salt per 100 g.
  • After opening, the product information advises storing the chickpeas in the fridge in an airtight container and eating them within two days. Check the packaging you’ve bought too, as details may vary.

Monoprix

Monoprix’s product information distinguishes its 265 g plain chickpeas from the Bonduelle couscous-style preparation sold by the retailer.

  • Monoprix’s plain chickpeas list chickpeas, water and salt as ingredients.
  • This product may contain traces of gluten and soya. The Bonduelle preparation has different ingredients, so check the allergen information for each product separately.

Aldi

ALDI France lists a 400 g Les Jardins de Laylah product in its product information.

  • The 400 g pack size makes it easy to identify the product to check.
  • To compare it with another tin, check the ingredients, drained weight and nutrition information on the packaging in question.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ‘reduced sugar’ enough to help me choose chickpeas?

No. When choosing between two products, first compare their ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g and their ingredients lists, making sure they’re intended for a similar use. EU regulations govern nutrition claims; if a reduction is claimed, also check which product it’s compared with.

Can I cook dried chickpeas on the morning of the picnic?

E.Leclerc’s preparation advice recommends soaking them overnight before cooking, then allowing around 1 h 30 in a saucepan or 40 minutes in a pressure cooker. If you haven’t planned ahead, ready-cooked chickpeas are a more convenient choice for a quick salad.

What should I do with a tin of chickpeas after opening it?

Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought, including if you open the tin before setting off. For its 3 x 125 g chickpeas, Auchan advises storing them in a suitable airtight container in the fridge and eating them within two days.

Do all plain chickpeas have the same allergen information?

No. Check the information for the exact product rather than relying on the product category. Monoprix’s 265 g chickpeas may contain traces of gluten and soya; its information for the Bonduelle couscous-style preparation says it may contain soya and cereals containing gluten.

How can I check whether my chickpeas have been recalled in France?

Check the alerts published by RappelConso using the details on your packaging, including the product reference and batch number. A recall affecting a specific product doesn’t automatically apply to all chickpeas.