Households that batch-cook
If you prepare several meals in advance, packs of dried pulses make it easy to divide your cooking into portions. Allow time for soaking and cooking when the pulse you choose requires it.
Which format is right for you?
People short on time during the week
If you want pulses without a lengthy preparation, look at tins, jars of ready-cooked pulses and pouches that are ready to eat. Check the usable quantity and storage instructions after opening, especially if you won’t finish the pack.
People who check ingredients carefully
If you’re looking for plain pulses or need to take allergens into account, check the ingredients list and any may-contain warnings on the packaging, particularly for prepared recipes.
What should you look for first?
First, decide how much time you can spend on preparation: a pack of dried pulses, ready-cooked pulses and a meal in a pouch don’t offer the same convenience. Then check the amount you can actually use and the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable quantity | Compare products in the same format. For pulses in liquid, check the net drained weight. | If I’m preparing several meals, I want to use the whole pack without leaving portions unused. Around 46% of consumers prioritise the usable quantity. |
| Preparation time | Check whether soaking is needed and follow the cooking time on the packaging. | For an impromptu meal, I’d rather use a ready-cooked base than pulses that need soaking overnight. Preparation time would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| How they fit into your meals | Choose the pulse and check whether it’s plain or part of a prepared recipe. | I’d like to vary the pulses I cook without buying a recipe that doesn’t suit my meals. Around 18% of consumers put this culinary choice first. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients, allergen information, salt content and storage instructions after opening. | Before using a prepared pouch, I need to know what’s in it and how to store any leftovers. Around 9% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a pack of dried pulses and a tin contain equivalent amounts
They’re prepared differently and, when pulses are packed in liquid, the total contents aren’t the same as the drained weight of the pulses. The French Ministry of the Economy says the net drained weight must be stated in this case.
Compare like with like first, then decide whether saving time on preparation matters more to you.
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Buying a large pack without planning how to prepare it
For its dried chickpeas, E.Leclerc recommends soaking them overnight, followed by around 1 h 30 of cooking in a saucepan. You may not have that much time for an impromptu meal.
Check the pack instructions before you buy. If you’re batch-cooking, plan how you’ll use the prepared portions.
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Assuming a meal in a pouch is the same as plain pulses
A ready-to-eat recipe may contain other ingredients. Bjorg, for example, says its lentil and carrot pouch contains oil and salt and may contain traces of gluten, soya and celery.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose rather than relying on the name of the pulse alone.
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Overlooking dates and storage instructions after opening
A use-by date and a best-before date don’t mean the same thing. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that a use-by date is a strict limit for highly perishable foods.
Follow the temperature guidance and, after opening, the storage time stated on the packaging.
Brands to know
Carrefour Classic'
A range worth exploring for dried lentils in packs.
- The Carrefour range includes Classic' green, blond and red lentils in 500 g packs.
- Check which variety and quantity best suit the meals you have planned.
ECO+ / E.Leclerc
A tinned chickpea option to consider if you’re looking for a ready-cooked base.
- E.Leclerc’s product listing for 265 g ECO+ chickpeas states that they contain chickpeas, water and salt.
- Check the drained weight and storage instructions on the product you choose.
Auchan
A range that includes several varieties of dried pulses in packs.
- The Auchan range includes green, red and blond lentils in 500 g packs, as well as split peas and beans.
- Check whether you’re looking at dried pulses or a prepared recipe before choosing a format.
Bjorg
A brand to consider for a ready-to-eat pulse dish.
- Bjorg says its lentil and carrot pouch is ready in 2 minutes.
- The brand warns that it may contain traces of gluten, soya and celery. Check the packaging if any of these allergens affect you.
Dried pulses on Joybuy
This selection includes dried pulses to prepare and a jar of chickpeas for meals that need less preparation. Choose according to the quantity you’ll use and the time you have available.
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A.F.P. Black Eye Beans 900g
This pack of dried black-eyed beans is ideal for meals you can plan ahead for.
Stated size: 900 g. Check the soaking and cooking instructions on the packaging before planning your meal.
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GÜNES VADIS Pois Chiches 540 gr
This jar of chickpeas is worth considering if you’re looking for a base for a quick meal.
The product name states 540 gr. To find out how much chickpea you can use, check the net drained weight on the packaging, along with the ingredients and instructions for storage after opening.
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Valle Del Sole Chickpeas 900g
These dried chickpeas are a good choice if you can plan ahead and use them across several meals.
Stated size: 900 g. Check the packaging for soaking and cooking instructions, as well as allergen information.
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VDS Green Mung Beans 900 gr
These dried mung beans are a good option if you’d like to cook a wider variety of pulses at home.
Stated size: 900 gr. Check the pack instructions so you can plan the soaking and cooking.
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Valle Del Sole Black Turtle Beans
These dried black beans are a good choice if you’d rather cook your pulses than use a tin.
Check the pack for the quantity and preparation instructions for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Which format of dried pulses should I choose when shopping on a budget?
A pack of dried pulses is a good choice if you can plan the preparation and use the contents. Tins, jars or ready-cooked pouches are better suited to meals when you’re short on time. For a product packed in liquid, check the net drained weight to find out how much pulse it contains.
Do dried chickpeas need to be soaked?
E.Leclerc’s preparation instructions for its dried chickpeas recommend soaking them overnight, then cooking them in a saucepan for around 1 h 30. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
What should I check on the label of a tin or pouch?
Read the ingredients, allergen information, quantity and storage instructions. For prepacked foods in France, the DGCCRF sets out the applicable labelling rules. If a food is packed in liquid, the net drained weight must also be stated.
How should I store dried pulses after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging, including the storage temperature and any stated storage time after opening. For highly perishable foods with a use-by date, the French Ministry of the Economy says this date must be respected.