Easy Chickpea Recipes: Salads, Soups, Mains & More
on Apr 25, 2025
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I always keep at least one can of chickpeas in my kitchen at all times. They’re a pantry superstar that’s packed with nutrition and are incredibly versatile. Chickpeas are a staple in many vegetarian recipes. You can add them in soups, salads and pastas or puree them into a batch of homemade roasted garlic hummus.
Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are legumes, so they are cousins with beans, lentils, peas and peanuts. Gluten-free and high in fiber, chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein (source). Chickpeas are often a feature ingredient in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian recipes, so they easily take on different spices and seasonings in a wide range of dishes.
Here you’ll find some of my favorite chickpea recipes. They include salads, soups, main dishes and side dishes for all seasons.
Table of Contents
Easy Chickpea Salad Recipes
When you add chickpeas to salads, it makes them more hearty and filling. Then you can go from side dish to main dish. These recipes pair chickpeas with fresh and roasted vegetables and grains. Chickpeas are the base of no-lettuce salads for lunch, potlucks and meal prep.
Chickpea Cucumber Salad
Greek Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean Bean Salad
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Roasted Vegetable Chickpea Pasta Salad
Healthy Chickpea Main Dish Recipes
Perfect for meatless mains, chickpeas are great for dinner. These quick and heathy chickpea recipes combine fresh ingredients and pantry staples for easy weeknight meals. Chickpeas can go with pastas, grains and roasted vegetables.
Chickpea Pasta with Spinach
Chickpea Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Baked Crispy Chickpea Tacos
Penne Arrabbiata with Chickpeas
One Pan Orecchiette
Simple Chickpea Side Dish Recipes
Chickpeas aren’t just for main dishes and salads. They are wonderful for simple side dishes, too. From crispy roasted chickpeas to oven-baked fritters, these chickpea sides work with vegetarian and non-vegetarian mains.
Baked Chickpea Fritters
Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas with Herby Tahini
Roasted Carrot Farro
Sriracha Lime Roasted Chickpeas
Satisfying Chickpea Soups and Stews
Hearty and comforting, these easy soup and stew recipes have plenty of vegetables and chickpeas. They simmer on the stove or in the slow cooker to enhance their flavors and seasonings. These recipe are fantastic for make-ahead meals.
Easy Chickpea Soup
Chickpea Harissa Vegetable Soup
Slow-Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Roasted Eggplant Stew with Tomatoes, Zucchini & Chickpeas
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Pin ItChickpeas 101: Pantry, Prep & More Tips
You can buy canned chickpeas or dried. I always buy canned because they are so convenient. I like being able to just open a can, rinse them off with cold water and use them. I’m not picky about brands. They are a budget-friendly pantry ingredient. I will buy a multi-pack if it’s a better deal than buying a single can because I know I will use them.
In vegan recipes, you can use the starchy liquid in a can of chickpeas, known as aquafaba, in dressings, mayonnaise and whipped desserts. Then you really aren’t letting anything go to waste.
How To Store Chickpeas
I keep all my canned goods in a cool, dry cabinet not above the stove or dishwasher, so they are at a consistent room temperature. Like beans and other canned foods, chickpeas have a long shelf-life, but always check the date on the can.
Removing Chickpea Skins
I note in my recipes if I recommend removing the skins. This is an essential step when you make hummus because that’s the secret to getting it really smooth. For salads, pastas and other recipes, it’s more about looks.
When you rinse the chickpeas and pat them dry with a towel, some of the skins will come off on their own. It doesn’t take long to remove the rest of them. You can slip the chickpeas out of their skins without much efforts. It’s just an extra step.
FAQs
After you’ve opened them, store canned chickpeas in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. If you’ve roasted them, they will soften won’t be crisp, but they will still taste good.
Yes, they are naturally gluten free.
Yes. Rinse them off and pat them dry. Then spread them in a single layer on a parchment paper or wax paper-lined baking sheet. You freeze them first like this, so they don’t stick together. When they’re frozen, you transfer them to a single container. They will stay good for 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight or rinse them with cold water. You can simmer frozen chickpeas in soups and stews without thawing them first.
Soak them overnight in water. Then drain and rinse them. Put the dried chickpeas in a pot and cover them with fresh water. Simmer for 60-90 minutes until they are tender.
You can cook them faster in an Instant Pot. Still soak them overnight and then cook them on high for 15-18 minutes depending how soft you like them. You will need 2 cups water for every 1 cup chickpeas.
If you’re interested in more fresh vegetarian recipes, some of them with chickpeas, check out my guide to easy salad recipes for every season.
Looking for More Chickpeas?
You can browse all my chickpea recipes here.
