How to Cook Chickpeas 3 Ways (Ultimate Guide) | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

This guide is all you need to learn to how to cook chickpeas on the stovetop, or in your crock pot or pressure cooker! I am answering all your questions from how to soak chickpeas, how to cook them, and how to put them to good use in some easy and delicious chickpea recipes!

Chickpeas!

There are a few ingredients I always have on hand in my pantry, top of the list is chickpeas!

Legumes, and particularly, chickpeas are a staple of Mediterranean cooking. These protein-packed legumes have a mild, nutty flavor and are the star ingredient in dishes like humus and falafel. But we use them in many more ways--bean soup, tagine, tossed in orzo, in salads, or even to make an irresistibly crunchy snack!

Heck, chickpeas can be the entire meal! I've been known to smash them up with a bit of garlic, lemon juice, some spices, and a big lug of good extra virgin olive oil. Just pass the pita to sop up all the goodness.

Canned chickpeas are convenient, and I do use them regularly. In my vegetarian smashed chickpea toast recipe, for example, canned chickpeas give me a quick dinner in 10 minutes or less! They're also so versatile: I often add them as a healthy protein to make simple salads, like Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or vegan sandwiches like my chickpea salad sandwich more filling. So why should one learn how to cook dried chickpeas?

A bag of dried chickpeas is cheaper, for sure. But I also found that cooking them from scratch produces the best, tender chickpeas with a creamy mouthfeel that the canned variety just can not compete with. Cooking them myself also gives me the opportunity to control the sodium and play with flavors however I like. Most of the time, I keep the seasoning simple because I like to store cooked chickpeas to use in different ways, and I don't want the flavors to clash.

I'm excited to share with you my complete guide on how to cook chickpeas, answering all your questions, and sharing a few fun recipes you can try!

Measurements: Converting dried chickpeas to cooked chickpeas

If you haven't cooked with dried beans or garbanzo before, you might be asking how much to use. Generally speaking, 1 cup of dried beans will yield 3 cups of cooked beans. In this recipe, I use 1 pound of dry chickpeas (about 2 cups), which yields almost 6 cups of cooked chickpeas. But here is a quick conversion table to keep handy:

• 1 pound of dried beans = About 2 cups dried beans
• 1 pound of dried beans = About 6 cups of cooked beans
• 1 part dry beans = 3 parts cooked beans
• 1 cup dried beans = 3 cups of cooked beans
• ⅓ cup dried beans = 1 cup of cooked beans

How to soak chickpeas?

You might wonder, do I have to soak chickpeas before cooking? Like other beans, chickpeas benefit from soaking in water, especially if you are planning to boil them on the stovetop. However, if you plan to cook them in the slow cooker or instant pot, you do not need to soak them, although you can if you have the time. Soaking the chickpeas will help soften them and also make them more digestible. There are two ways to soak dried chickpeas, and either method you use, the chickpeas should soften and increase in volume. Here are the two methods I use:

• Long soaking method. This is easy to do but takes a little bit of planning. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with water by a good few inches then leave them overnight (8 to 24 hours).
  
• Quick soaking method. This takes only 1 hour before cooking. Put the chickpeas in a large pot and cover them with plenty of water, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the heat off, then cover and let the chickpeas soak for 1 hour or until softened.

How long to cook chickpeas?

The amount of time it will take to cook dried chickpeas will depend on their size, how fresh they are (beans can be stored for month or years), and the cooking method. You can tell if they are ready when they are tender to the bite. And as I said, the cooking time will also depend on how you choose to cook them:

• Stovetop: boiled chickpeas cooked on the stovetop will take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
• In the slow cooker: cook for 4 hours on high heat or 6 to 8 hours on low heat.
• In your pressure cooker or Instant Pot: they will take about 1 hour.

How to cook dried chickpeas?

As with any beans, chickpeas are easy to cook on the stovetop, in your slow cooker or the instant pot. With all methods, I do start with 1 pound of chickpeas (about 2 cups of dried chickpeas), and from there the water amount may change slightly. You can season to your liking, I just used kosher salt, a couple of bay leaves and 2 lightly smashed garlic cloves. Here is a quick look at how to do that (the print-friendly recipe is just below):

• Stovetop Method
  This is my preferred method. With this method, you do need to soak and drain the chickpeas first (see soaking instructions). From there, cook the chickpeas with a bit of baking soda over medium-high heat stirring for 3 minutes. This is what makes all the difference in softening the chickpeas and it also helps them shed their skin easily during the cooking process (great for hummus). Add 7 cups of water and season. You'll boil briefly, then turn the heat down and let the chickpeas cook until tender (this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours).

  

• Slow Cooker Method
  You do not need to soak the beans with this method, but you can if you have the time. Put the chickpeas, 7 cups of water, and seasoning of your choice in a 2 ½-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours or until tender.

  

• Instant Pot Method
  With this method, again soaking is optional. Put the chickpeas, 6 cups of water, and seasoning in the instant pot. Close tightly. Cook using High Pressure for about 50 minutes, then let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes before you vent the remaining pressure (please be sure to read. your pressure cooker manual for safety and precautions).

Can I freeze cooked chickpeas?

Yes! Cooked chickpeas can be stored in the fridge, without extra liquid for a good 3 to 4 days. But you can store them in the freezer for months. Just be sure to dry the chickpeas well and put them in freezer safe bags. Store them flat in your freezer for later use.

Chickpea recipes to try!

There is no shortage of tasty chickpea recipes here on the blog, but I selected a few here to get you started:

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