I Asked 4 Experts To Name the Best Canned Chickpeas—And They All Said The Same Thing

This brand is affordable and widely available.

Stella Totino
·3 min read
Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock

Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock

There are a ton of canned goods I keep stocked in my pantry. From tinned fish to canned tomatoes, having shelf-stable goods is wallet-friendly and a great way to prepare efficient and easy meals.

That being said, not all cans are created equal. In my household, one of the most depended-on canned goods is chickpeas. I love how the little round beans add texture, protein, and a nutty flavor to salads and soups, as well as their versatility in dishes like hummus or as a vegan alternative to tuna salad.

Not all brands of chickpeas are created equal. I've opened a couple of cans to find mushy, weird-tasting, or tiny chickpeas. In order to find a brand that I can always trust, I consulted with four chefs who consistently use the beloved beans in their cooking. Here's what they had to say.

The Chickpea-Loving Chefs

Simply Recipes / Goya

Simply Recipes / Goya

The Best Brand, According to Experts

All four experts I spoke with agreed that the widely available brand Goya consistently offers the best canned chickpeas. The chefs outline two main categories that set the brand above all the rest: flavor and texture.

In terms of flavor, a "balanced nutty taste and perfect saltiness boosts natural flavor without overriding other dishes," explains Tobby. Hunn, who agrees on the versatile, clean, and nutty flavor, adds: "There's also no weird metallic aftertaste or overly salted brine, which can really throw off a dish."

The chickpeas' flavor is enhanced in part due to the minimal ingredient list, which allows the chickpea flavor to shine without being bogged down by artificial flavors or preservatives. Clark appreciates the "clean, simple ingredient list of chickpeas, water, and a little salt, which one should always look for when choosing canned beans."

In terms of texture, "where some canned chickpeas are undercooked (which makes them hard to digest), and pretty bland," says Atlas, "Goya's are always nice and tender." Tobby, in comparing Goya to other brands, which may "be overly soft, mealy, or too firm," says, "Goya gets the ideal balance because of their reliably tender and plump texture."

How To Use Chickpeas

Clark speaks to chickpea's versatility: "Chickpeas are amazing in soups, stews, and grain bowls or roasted with spices for an easy snack." And, of course, they're the central ingredient in homemade hummus, which, says Tobby, is easy to do "by blending the chickpeas with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and tahini."

They're also a great alternative to traditionally gluten-heavy recipes. Hunn explains: "Chickpeas are naturally gluten-free and an awesome protein-packed staple for gluten-free cooking. One of my favorite tricks is to mash them up with olive oil, lemon, and herbs as a spread for gluten-free chickpea crust pizza or on a baked sweet potato."

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