Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.
If the ingredient list calls for “rinsed” canned beans, drain and rinse the beans to keep the liquid ratios right. If you're vegan and you're about to use canned chickpeas, go ahead and drain the liquid—but save that magic stuff. It's called aquafaba and can be whipped like egg whites into meringues and other recipes.
Canned chickpeas provide numerous health benefits and are considered a nutrient-dense food. Research shows chickpeas are beneficial for weight management, blood sugar regulation, heart disease, and digestive health (1).
In Australia, chickpeas are readily available from supermarkets, either dry or canned and are relatively inexpensive. Canned chickpeas are already cooked and can be used straight from the can, just drain the water they come with (called aquafaba) and rinse to remove salt.
It's called aquafaba, and it's (basically) free! When we refer to aquafaba (as we often do in our cookbook on vegan cooking, Vegan for Everybody), we're talking about the liquid in a can of chickpeas.
Dried garbanzo beans are usually the ones that get cooked and canned or turned into hummus. Canned chickpeas are cooked and seasoned with salt prior to canning. Dried chickpeas are sold in a raw, dehydrated form. Before serving at home, they'll need to be both rehydrated and cooked.
The next time you open a can of chickpeas, think before you drain it. It turns out, that leftover liquid is kind of magic. Known as aquafaba or chickpea water, it can be used as a vegan substitute in many recipes that call for eggs or egg whites.
Due to their high protein content, chickpeas are known to be a good alternative to meat, especially by vegetarians and vegans. Because they contain toxins when uncooked, chickpeas cannot be eaten raw. However, they are completely edible once cooked.
Eating too many chickpeas can have drawbacks
However, there is one downside to eating chickpeas every day. The high fiber and carbohydrate content can sometimes lead to uncomfortable gas, bloating, and intestinal distress.
You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.
Canned chickpeas can be stored indefinitely. The dried version should be stored in a tightly closed container at cool room temperature. Use them within 6 months. Leftover cooked chickpeas will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, stored in a tightly closed container.
Not rinsing the beans first.
Not only is this liquid extra starchy, but it's also usually full of sodium. Unless a recipe specifically calls for using this liquid, it won't be a welcome addition to your dish.
If you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them with water to cut the sodium (salt) content by almost a half. Rinse well in cold water to make them easier to digest and less gas-producing.
Many people wonder if they need to drain and rinse canned beans, and the answer is, “it depends.” It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans.
Canned or jarred chickpeas just need to be reheated if you are eating them in a hot dish, or can be used straight from the can for a recipe like hummus. Like dried chickpeas, they vary in quality and size, as do some of the jarred varieties from Spain.
What Is It? Aquafaba is the thick liquid that results from soaking or cooking legumes, such as chickpeas, in water for an extended period of time. It's the translucent viscous goop you probably rinse down the drain when you open a can of chickpeas.
Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish.
I have also been getting another question which is “are canned chickpeas cooked?” Yes, they are already cooked and ready to eat! You'll just need to drain them and rinse before you use them for your recipe.
They are the basis for foods like hummus and falafel and, while it is convenient to use canned chickpeas, dried chickpeas really are a better option. Dried chickpeas are much more economical and they tend to have a more natural flavor because they aren't soaked in preservatives.
Raw chickpeas need to be soaked for eight hours or overnight. Part of what I love about canned ones is that they just need to be opened and rinsed. If soaking beans isn't your forte, don't let that stop you from leaning on chickpeas for an easy-to-make dish. Canned chickpeas are just as good.
You can eat them plain, or add them to salads, chicken dishes, etc. Canned chickpeas are also quick to prepare and especially fast to cook. By either boiling canned chickpeas, baking them, or microwaving them, you can prepare your own chickpeas!
Boiling canned chickpeas in water for 20 minutes before puréeing them gives you the silky-smooth texture you normally only get in hummus made from dried beans.