If you’re short on time at lunchtime
Already-cooked chickpeas are a handy choice for putting together a salad or making a hot dish without a long cooking time. Monoprix describes a Bonduelle product that can be eaten cold or reheated.
Which format suits you?
If you’re planning several portions
A large pack could work well if you’re planning or sharing several lunches. However, check the storage instructions for your chosen product before relying on leftovers.
If you like to cook ahead
A family-sized pack of dried chickpeas is better suited to planned meals than an impromptu lunch. The product information for Auchan’s 1 kg pack specifies a long cooking time, so check the instructions before adding it to your meal plan.
What should you check?
First decide whether you want a cooked or dried product, then choose a pack size to suit the portions you’ll actually use.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Look for the words “already cooked” or “ready to use”. For dried chickpeas, check the cooking instructions. | Between meetings, I want to make lunch without a long cooking time. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise speed. |
| Portions and leftovers | Compare the drained weight and storage instructions after opening with the number of meals you’re planning. | If I’m having lunch on my own, I’d rather open only as much as I can eat. Portion control would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, the “salt” value on a like-for-like basis and the allergen information for the exact product. | Before serving a product that meets my dietary requirements, I need to be able to check its label. Around 25% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Cooking in larger quantities | For dried chickpeas, check the cooking instructions and storage conditions. | I can cook ahead for several lunches and set aside time for cooking. Around 17% of consumers would prioritise this option. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a large pack without planning your next meals
A 530 g pack could provide several portions, but its value depends on how much you’ll use once it’s open.
Plan the lunches you’ll use it for and check the storage time shown on the packaging. Otherwise, consider individually portioned packs.
Any leftovers you don’t eat in time may have to be thrown away.
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Comparing tins by total weight alone
When chickpeas are packed in liquid, the total weight includes the liquid. The DGCCRF states that the drained net weight must then be shown on the label.
Use the drained net weight to compare the amount of chickpeas in similar products.
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Assuming every product has the same ingredients
Ingredients and precautionary allergen statements can vary between products. Auchan notes, for example, that ingredients may differ depending on the collection point and date of purchase.
If you need to avoid an allergen, check the label on the product you receive before eating it.
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Saving dried chickpeas for an impromptu lunch
Auchan’s 1 kg pack requires a second cooking stage of around two hours over a low heat. It’s not a like-for-like alternative to ready-cooked chickpeas when you only have a short lunch break.
Save dried chickpeas for meals you’re planning in advance and follow the instructions for the specific pack, including checking whether they need to be soaked.
This option takes time to prepare and cook.
Retailers to compare formats
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes ready-cooked chickpeas in several pack sizes and multipacks, as well as dried varieties.
- Listed formats include drained net weights of 265 g and 530 g, making it easy to compare smaller and larger quantities.
- Check which product your local shop or grocery delivery service offers before choosing a pack size.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère Notre Jardin
The Notre Jardin products identified include tinned chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g sizes.
- These two sizes make it easy to choose a quantity to suit your planned meals.
- For the 530 g product, E.Leclerc says the origin of the main ingredients can vary depending on supply. Check the label on the pack you choose.
Auchan
The Auchan range shown includes ready-cooked chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g sizes, a pack of 3 × 125 g portions and a 1 kg pack of dried chickpeas.
- These pack sizes let you compare individual portions, a large ready-to-use pack and dried chickpeas to cook yourself.
- Auchan notes that the ingredients in some products may vary. Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the product you receive.
Monoprix
Monoprix lists ready-to-use chickpeas in 265 g and 530 g sizes, among other products.
- The product information for the 530 g ready-to-use pack lists chickpeas, water and salt as ingredients.
- Check the product information and label for your chosen pack to confirm its ingredients and instructions for use.
Joybuy products for lunch
These products include two large packs of chickpeas and a ready-made dish in couscous sauce for a quick lunch. The ready-made dish isn’t a substitute for a pack of plain chickpeas if you want to put together several meals yourself.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 g
A large pack to consider if you’re planning several lunches. Check the drained quantity and storage instructions after opening before dividing it into portions.
Pack size shown in the product name: 540 g. If you need to avoid sulphites, check the ingredients on the label you receive.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 g
This large pack is best suited to using over several meals. Compare the drained net weight and follow the storage instructions once opened.
Pack size shown in the product name: 820 g. Check the label if lupin is an allergen you need to avoid.
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BONDUELLE Chickpeas in couscous sauce 400 g
Worth considering for a lunch to heat up, rather than as a supply of plain chickpeas. Check the reheating instructions and ingredients for this recipe.
Pack size shown in the product name: 400 g. Check the label for allergens and storage instructions after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Are tinned chickpeas suitable for a short lunch break?
Yes, as long as they’re already cooked and the instructions suit the meal you have in mind. For a 265 g Bonduelle product, Monoprix says they can be used in a salad or added to a hot dish after reheating.
How long can you keep chickpeas once the pack is open?
Follow the storage time shown on the packaging for your chosen product. For its pack of 3 × 125 g portions, Auchan says to store any leftovers in a suitable airtight container in the fridge and eat them within two days. Don’t automatically apply this timeframe to other products.
What information should you compare on tins?
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information and, when the product is packed in liquid, the drained net weight. The DGCCRF states that prepacked food labels must include this information, among other details, and highlight allergenic ingredients.
What should you check before using a tin that’s been stored for a long time?
Check the information on the packaging and look for any recall specifically affecting its brand and batch. RappelConso publishes French alerts about affected products.