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10 Incredibly Delicious Ways To Turn a Can of Chickpeas Into Dinner

By Sheela Prakash
|
December 22, 2023
Photo Credit: Oh My Veggies

Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, there’s no denying these hearty beans are a nutritional powerhouse. They’re packed with protein and fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals like folate and iron. To me, they’re one of the easiest ways to make a meatless meal feel, well, meaty.

I always keep at least a couple of cans in my pantry. And it really doesn’t take much to turn them into a salad, soup, pasta, or another satisfying meal. Here are 10 recipes that prove just how versatile a can of chickpeas can be.

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1. Teriyaki Chickpea Stir-Fry

Teriyaki chickpea stir fry

Photo Credit: Oh My Veggies

The combination of chickpeas and cashews ensures there is plenty of protein to make this a meatless stir-fry extra satisfying.

Try the recipe from Oh My Veggies.

2. Healthy Moroccan Chickpea Bowl

Moroccan chickpea bowl

A pinch of both ground cinnamon and cayenne lend earthy sweetness and spice to these stew-like chickpeas. While they simmer for 30 minutes, cook up a pot of rice or quinoa to serve them with.

Try the recipe from A Simple Palate.

3. Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

curried chickpeas

There’s a whole half a pound of spinach in this pan of curried chickpeas, which means you’ve definitely got a one-bowl dinner on your hands.

Try the recipe from Budget Bytes.

4. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Chickpea salad

This no-cook salad comes together so quickly, you’ll feel like you’re cheating a little bit. It’s worth making a double batch because leftovers make a great lunch.

Try the recipe from Love & Lemons.

5. Spicy Tomato Chickpea Pasta

chickpea pasta

Adding chickpeas to your favorite pasta recipe is an easy way to give it a feel-good protein boost. Here, briny olives give the whole dish a punch of flavor.

Try the recipe from The Bojon Gourmet.

6. Creamy Roasted Garlic & Chickpea Soup

Roasted garlic chickpea soup

This rich pureed soup tastes so creamy, you’ll swear there’s heavy cream in it. But nope, it’s just the power of chickpeas. To get ahead, you can roast the garlic a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge until you need it.

Try the recipe from The Full Helping.

7. Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos

cauliflower and chickpea tacos

Roasting the chickpeas right alongside the cauliflower helps them get so nice and crunchy, they’ll easily be the best part of these vegetarian tacos.

Try the recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod.

8. Sweet Potato Chickpea Buddha Bowl

Sweet potato chickpea bowl

Don’t skip the 3-ingredient tahini sauce for this recipe. It’s the perfect match for spicy chickpeas and lends creaminess to every bite.

Try the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

9. Kale and Chickpea Stew

chickpea stew

If you’d like to make this stew vegan, just leave off the Parmesan garnish. You can also try using other leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard in place of the kale.

Try the recipe from Naturally Ella.

10. The Best Chickpea Veggie Burgers

chickpea veggie burgers

While these veggie burgers are perfect tucked inside a bun, they’re also great served fritter-style with salsa or guacamole for dipping. Or try crumbling them on top of salads.

Try the recipe from Choosing Chia.

Read next: Is Chickpea Pasta *Actually* Healthy? The Answer May Surprise You

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