Busy student with a basic kitchen
You want to make your first meals without soaking or lengthy cooking. Manger Bouger recommends pulses in jars or tins for quick recipes.
Who are these options for?
Student keeping an eye on their food shop
You’re looking for a pack size you’ll actually use up. Drained weight makes it easier to compare the amount of chickpeas in tins of different sizes.
Label-conscious shopper
You want to check the sugar and salt content, ingredients and allergen declarations for the exact product, rather than assume all tins of plain chickpeas are the same.
Which criteria should you check first?
Plain tinned chickpeas
Choose these if: you need chickpeas that are ready to use as soon as you move in.
Bear in mind: choose a size to suit your meals and follow the storage instructions once opened.
Dried chickpeas
Choose these if: you can plan ahead and prepare several portions at once.
Bear in mind: E.Leclerc’s preparation advice recommends soaking overnight, then cooking in a pan.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick preparation | Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked or need soaking and cooking. | If I want to make a meal as soon as I move in, I want to avoid lengthy preparation; around 36% of consumers prioritise speed. |
| Usable quantity | Compare the drained weight of the tins, which excludes the packing liquid. | If I’m comparing several tins for my first food shop, I want to know how many chickpeas each one actually contains; this is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check “of which sugars” and the salt content per 100 g, then read the ingredients and allergen declarations for the product. | When I choose a specific product, I want to know what’s in it rather than rely on a “reduced sugar” claim; around 21% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
| Leftovers after opening | Choose a size to suit your meals and check the storage instructions once opened. | If I’m the only one using the tin, I’d rather be able to finish it within the stated timeframe; for around 14% of consumers, managing leftovers comes before other criteria. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming chickpeas are automatically “reduced in sugar”
The figure on the “of which sugars” line does not, by itself, prove a reduction compared with a similar product. The DGCCRF notes that claims such as “reduced in sugars” are covered by European regulations on nutrition claims.
Check the nutritional information for the product you’re considering, and don’t infer a sugar-reduction claim from the sugar content alone.
-
Comparing tins without checking the drained weight
A tin’s total weight includes the packing liquid, so two similar-sized tins won’t necessarily contain the same amount of chickpeas.
To compare the usable quantity, check the drained weight on each pack.
-
Opening a large pack without planning your next meals
Storage instructions after opening vary by product. For its 3 × 125 g pack, Auchan recommends refrigerating the contents in a suitable airtight container and using them within two days.
Choose a quantity that suits your meals and follow the instructions on the product you buy.
If you can’t use the opened contents within the stated timeframe, they may go to waste.
-
Assuming all tins of plain chickpeas have the same label
Sugar and salt levels vary between the products listed. Monoprix’s product information also warns that its product may contain traces of gluten and soya.
Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information on the product you’re buying.
Brands and products to know
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour lists a 265 g tin of plain chickpeas, with a drained weight of 265 g.
- Listed ingredients: dried chickpeas, soaked, water and salt.
- Check the drained weight of the product you choose if you’re comparing it with another size.
Eco+ (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc lists a 265 g tin of chickpeas.
- The product information states 0.7 g of sugars and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the nutritional information on the pack you buy.
Auchan
Auchan lists chickpeas in a 3 × 125 g pack, among other options.
- The product information states 0.4 g of sugars and 0.45 g of salt per 100 g.
- Once opened, the contents should be refrigerated in a suitable airtight container and used within two days. Auchan advises checking the ingredients on the pack you buy.
ALDI / ALL SEASONS
ALDI lists a 265 g tin of chickpeas in its ALL SEASONS range.
- This pack size gives you a quantity to check when comparing products.
- Check the label for the sugar, salt and allergen information for this product.
Monoprix
Monoprix lists a 265 g tin of chickpeas.
- The product information lists chickpeas, water and salt as the ingredients.
- It warns that this product may contain traces of gluten and soya. If this is relevant to you, check the declaration on the pack.
Chickpeas and meals available on Joybuy
The first two options are chickpeas to use in your own recipes; the next two are ready meals made with chickpeas. If you’re looking for plain chickpeas for your first meals, distinguish them from seasoned recipes before comparing the labels.
Image unavailable
GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 gr
This size may suit you if you’re planning to use the chickpeas in several meals. Check the drained weight and storage instructions on the jar; to compare sugar and salt levels, refer to the nutritional information on the pack you buy.
Image unavailable
GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 gr
If you live alone, you’ll need to plan how to use the contents once opened. The product lists lupin: if you have an allergy, check the declaration on the pack before choosing it.
Image unavailable
ASHOKA Punjabi Choley 280g
This chickpea recipe is a good choice if you’re looking for a ready meal rather than plain chickpeas to season yourself. Check the label for ingredients, salt, allergens and preparation instructions.
Image unavailable
Bonduelle Chickpeas cooked in couscous sauce 400g
Choose this product if you’re after a ready-made recipe, rather than plain chickpeas to use in a dish of your own. The recipe lists added sugar and may contain soya and cereals containing gluten. Check the label if these matter to you.
Frequently asked questions
Are chickpeas automatically labelled “reduced in sugar”?
No. The fact that a product contains chickpeas isn’t enough to justify this claim. The DGCCRF notes that claims such as “reduced in sugars” are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. To check a product’s sugar content, look at the “of which sugars” line, without assuming this means it has been reduced.
Which size should you choose for your first meal after moving in?
A tin of plain chickpeas that’s ready to use is a good option if you can’t plan ahead for soaking or lengthy cooking. Manger Bouger recommends pulses in jars or tins for quick recipes, while E.Leclerc’s preparation advice recommends soaking dried chickpeas overnight.
How long can you keep chickpeas once the tin is open?
Follow the instructions on the product you buy, as they won’t necessarily apply to all tins. For its 3 × 125 g pack, Auchan recommends refrigerating the contents in a suitable airtight container and using them within two days of opening.
Should you check the allergens on a tin of plain chickpeas?
Yes, if you have an allergy or need to avoid certain ingredients: check the declaration for the exact product. The product information for Monoprix’s 265 g chickpeas warns that they may contain traces of gluten and soya; this shouldn’t be assumed to apply to all tins of plain chickpeas.