10 Easy Recipes to Make with a Can of Chickpeas

We gathered 10 easy recipes to use up the can of chickpeas lingering in the back of your pantry—sandwiches, stews, salads, and of course, falafel.

By
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta has 25 years of experience in the food service industry and has been developing recipes for 3 years. She is the author of Taste & See Cooks: Recipes to Inspire, Equip and Enjoy.
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Published September 09, 2021
Marta Rivera
Easy Recipes to Make with a Can of Chickpeas

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, hold a sacred status in my family. They find their way into stews. They are braised in a flavorful tomato sauce then spooned over rice. My favorite? Cook them low and slow in a pot of pig’s feet.

If you're looking for new ways to use up that can of chickpeas hanging out in your pantry, we’ve got you covered from sandwiches to salads and even slow cooker meals.

Chickpeas are pulses (so are peas, beans, and lentils) known to be nutritious. Because they are a fantastic replacement for meat and poultry, most mothers and grandmothers I know feed their kids or grandkids chickpeas to pump them full of iron.

  • Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

    Mediterranean Chickpea Buddha Bowls
    Sabrina Modelle

    Chickpeas form the base of this bowl, providing a generous amount of protein without meat. They are well-spiced (beautifully balanced with the creamy tahini sauce) and quickly warmed on a skillet.

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  • Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

    Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas
    Elise Bauer

    Creamy chickpeas are the perfect match for this smokey paprika chicken recipe. For the juiciest results, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs are best. If using chicken breasts, cut them in half so they're not too big. Because the chickpeas are starchy enough, you won't need another starchy side. Instead, grill some vegetables.

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  • Radicchio Salad with Green Olives, Chickpeas, and Parmesan

    Radicchio Salad with Green Olives, Chickpeas, and Parmesan
    Emma Christensen

    The combination of textures and flavors in this dish is so unique. The bitter radicchio is tamed with nutty and creamy chickpeas. The green olives are bright and briny. The sunflower seeds add a crunch. I’d serve this salad with seared steak. 

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  • Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

    Side view of chickpea salad sandwich on a plate with chips.
    Sally Vargas | Art Banner Credit: Elena Resko

    We can rely on pantry staples, like chickpeas, to recreate a chicken salad without the chicken. This recipe makes two sandwiches, so double (or triple!) up for more portions. Serve the chickpea salad between sliced whole grain bread, or make them into filling for lettuce wraps.

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    Continue to 5 of 10 below.

  • Moroccan-Spiced Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew

    Moroccan-Spiced Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew
    Sabrina Modelle

    I love the warmth of this vegetarian stew, which comes from the ras el hanout. The recipe for this Moroccan spice mix is included, but you could also look for the blend at your local grocery store. Our family likes to top this stew with fresh mint.

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  • Air Fryer Falafel

    Falafel air fryer recipe
    Nick Evans

    Use your air fryer to create an easy Middle Eastern dish that’s so versatile you’ll never run out of ways to serve it. I serve these vegetarian falafels just as the recipe suggests: in a warm pita, topped with vegetables, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. You could also serve them on top of lettuce greens or as an appetizer (with the tahini sauce as a dip).

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  • Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers

    Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
    Sabrina Modelle

    Pile the ingredients into a slow cooker and forget about them for 6 to 8 hours! This recipe calls for dried chickpeas, which don't need to be pre-soaked. However, it would taste equally as delicious with canned chickpeas.

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  • Green Goddess Veggie Burgers

    Veggie Burger Recipe with Green Goddess Dressing
    Nick Evans

    For a hamburger experience without the meat, make this veggie burger that leans on chickpeas. The creamy sauce is based on the popular green goddess dressing. Though the recipe is meant for grilling you can totally cook these veggie burgers in a skillet. You’ll be glad to have leftover Green Goddess Sauce for salads and for dipping veggies.

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    Continue to 9 of 10 below.

  • Vegan Chickpea Minestrone

    How to Make Minestrone Vegan
    Erin Alderson

    This vegan soup is a great way to use any vegetables hanging out in your fridge - consider the vegetables listed in this recipe a guide map, not rule of law. I don’t think you’ll miss the cheese. There’s the almond milk creamer for that.

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  • Curry Chickpea-Loaded Baked Potatoes

    Baked Potatoes with Chickpeas
    Erin Alderson

    I make these stuffed baked potatoes at least twice a month because they’re easy and filling without weighing me down. Use canned chickpeas for ease—making it simple enough that even the kids can follow along (if they're old enough, that is). Sometimes I use sweet potatoes for a different flavor profile.

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