How to Cook Dried Chickpeas (Soak & Boil Method)
Learn how to cook dried chickpeas with this easy soak & boil method. This recipe makes about 3 cups of cooked chickpeas. All you need is water and one cup of dried chickpeas! Keep reading for instructions on how to do so on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
I’m willing to bet the number one reason that we end up grabbing a can of chickpeas instead of making them from scratch is because of convenience and time. I do it all the time, and there’s no shame in it!
But once you learn how to cook dried chickpeas, it becomes a lot less daunting. The most important step is just planning ahead. I like soaking my chickpeas overnight because there’s no stress for them to soften quickly, and I don’t have to set a timer.
Once you’ve learned how to cook chickpeas from scratch, you’ll notice how much cheaper it is buying them dry over using cans. Not only is it cheaper, there’s less waste and the quality is truly better. There’s nothing like a batch of hummus made with chickpeas cooked from scratch.
The texture is truly different, it’s creamier and smoother. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself!
We use chickpeas in many Moroccan recipes, and I remember my grandma making large batches of these and having my cousins and I remove the skins once they were done. The peels come right off, so if you’re into an even creamier batch of hummus, maybe try skinning them if you’ve got the time.
Whether you’re using them to make this Chickpea Soup, 15-Minute Chickpea Salad, or Stewed Chickpeas, you’ll be impressed by the creamy smooth texture these provide.
What You’ll Need
Step by Step Instructions
Feel free to add some onion, garlic, and herbs to the liquid you boil the garbanzo beans in if you’d like to add flavor. You could also boil them in broth or stock to add even more flavor.
Cooking With A Can of Chickpeas vs. This Recipe
One can of chickpeas usually contains about 1 and 3/4 of a cup of chickpeas, plus the canning liquid.
Once the 1 cup of chickpeas used in this recipe have soaked in water for the allotted 8+ hours, they double in size, making about 2 cups. After soaking & boiling you’ll end up with about 3 cups of chickpeas.
This means that this recipe makes almost double what you would get out of a can of chickpeas. You can definitely measure out the exact quantity you need for whatever recipe you’re using these in, and plan accordingly from there.
Where to Use Your Garbanzo Beans
Once you’ve learned to cook dried garbanzo beans, making your own hummus feels like a right of passage. I swear the creaminess and overall texture is on another level when you make it from scratch instead of using a can of chickpeas.
This applies for pretty much any recipe you decide to make with your chickpeas. I like using them in soups, stews, making these spice roasted chickpeas and adding them as toppers to soups and salads.
Here are some more ideas:
Other Tips
Some people swear by adding a teaspoon or two of baking soda to the liquid you soak and/or boil the chickpeas (or any dried beans) in to help with reducing their gassy effects and produce a better texture. Feel free to experiment with this if you’d like!
Other people have recommended skimming the foam off the top of the chickpeas while they boil and simmer. I haven’t found a need to do this, but you can definitely try it out if you’re interested.
Enjoy,
How to Cook Dried Chickpeas (Soak & Boil Method)
- Prep Time: 8 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 9 hours
- Yield: 3 cups
- Category: Side Dish, Component, Main Dish
- Method: Boiled, Soaked
- Cuisine: Moroccan, American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to cook dried chickpeas with this easy soak & boil method. This recipe makes about 3 cups of cooked chickpeas. All you need is water and one cup of dried chickpeas! Keep reading for instructions on how to do so on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 4 cups water + 6 cups water
Instructions
- Soak the chickpeas. Add the dried chickpeas and water to a large bowl (for every 1 cup of dried chickpeas add 4 cups of water). Let soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
- Drain the chickpeas. Drain all of the water that the chickpeas soaked in and give them a good rinse.
- Cook the chickpeas. Add the chickpeas to a pot and cover with fresh water (should require at least 6 cups). Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until they’ve reached your desired texture. See notes for pressure cooker & Instant Pot instructions.
- Enjoy! At this point the skins can be easily removed, if desired. Use your garbanzo beans to make hummus, crispy baked chickpeas, chickpea soups, and more.
Notes
Pressure Cooker Instructions: To cook your soaked garbanzo beans, add to your pressure cooker and add liquid just until they’re covered. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Carefully open the pressure cooker according to manufacture instructions. Strain all remaining liquid and enjoy!
Instant Pot Instructions: To cook your soaked garbanzo beans, add to your instant pot and add water just until they’re covered. Select the pressure cooking setting and set the timer for 15-18 minutes (depending on how well done you’d like your chickpeas). Quick release and strain all remaining liquid. Enjoy!
Storage: Once your chickpeas have cooked fully you can strain them from their liquid and cool. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.