May 24, 2021
(last updated September 22, 2022) 
You can create so many fast, flavorful vegan meals with a humble can of chickpeas! Here are 25 of my favorite, nutritious vegan chickpea recipes for lunches, satisfying snacks, and weeknight dinners.
I always tell my nutrition clients that, if you have a can of chickpeas in the pantry, you’re about halfway to a nutritious meal. I can’t think of a legume that I rely on more often in my own cooking. I’ve never been more grateful for chickpeas than I have been this year.
Chickpeas are one of my favorite sources of plant protein, and I love their versatility. Chickpeas can become dips, lunch salads, a crispy topper for salads, or the cornerstone of an awesome vegan main dish.
Healthy benefits of chickpeas
Chickpeas, like all pulses, are a good source of plant protein. But they’re also notable for other important nutrients.
One is folate, which is important for red blood cell production and for preventing developmental problems in babies. Another is iron, which is an important nutrient for plant-based eaters to consider. A half cup serving of cooked chickpeas has about 10% of the RDA of iron for the day. Combined with other iron-rich ingredients, this is a good amount. Finally, chickpeas contain zinc, which is important for immune function.
Aside from these micronutrients, chickpeas are rich in dietary fiber, which is important for both digestive health and healthy blood lipids. They provide complex carbohydrates, which are important for sustaining energy.
How much protein is in chickpeas?
And there’s the protein, of course! Half a cup of cooked chickpeas provides about seven grams of plant protein. If you combine the chickpeas with protein rich grains, like quinoa, or leafy greens—as many of the recipes below do—they’ll help contribute to your overall protein intake.
How to cook dried chickpeas
On the stovetop
There are two ways to cook chickpeas. The first is to cook dry chickpeas from scratch.
To do this, you soak the chickpeas overnight, or for eight hours. In the morning, you discard the soak water and add the dried chickpeas to a pot with enough fresh water to cover them by about five inches. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the chickpeas for 90-120 minutes, or until they’re tender but not mushy.
After boiling, you can drain the chickpeas and use them right away in these vegan chickpea recipes. You can also store them in the fridge for up to four days, or you can freeze them for up to four weeks.
In the slow cooker
If you have a slow cooker, you can also add a pound of dried chickpeas to your slow cooker along with seven cups of water, 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Cook them for four hours on high or eight hours on low heat. Drain the chickpeas before using or storing.
I learned this method from Alton Brown, and I’ve had great success with it!
How to cook with canned chickpeas
Cooking with canned chickpeas is a lot quicker than preparing them from scratch. They’re fully cooked when they come out of the can. To use them in recipes, you need only heat them up.
Preparing chickpeas from scratch is the most economical option. But canned chickpeas are also perfectly healthy and nutritious. I encourage my clients to rely on canned legumes for convenience and ease, especially in stressful or busy times.
Some canned chickpeas have more added salt than other, so it’s worth peeking at ingredient labels if sodium intake is a concern for you.
Can you freeze chickpeas?
You can definitely freeze chickpeas. Whenever I cook a pound of dried chickpeas from scratch, I immediately freeze at least half of the cooked beans.
Cooked chickpeas, once cooled, can be put in storage containers or silicone bags and transferred to the freezer. They’ll keep well in the freezer for at least four weeks; I often freeze them for up to six weeks at a time with no problems.
The Vegan Week
Embrace the joy of eating homemade food every day with the hearty and wholesome recipes in The Vegan Week.
Whether you have three, two, or even just one hour of time to spare, The Vegan Week will show you how to batch cook varied, colorful, and comforting dishes over the weekend.
25 Vegan Chickpea Recipes
Once your chickpeas are cooked, you can use them in any one of the following twenty-five wholesome, tasty vegan chickpea recipes. These are only a sampling of the many rewarding, delicious meals that I regularly make with chickpeas.
These recipes are a great starting point if you’re new to cooking with beans. And if you’re already a chickpea fan, maybe they’ll give you some fresh inspiration. Included in the list is a recipe for quick, easy chickpea scramble, a simple skillet meal that’s perfect for savory breakfast.
Spicy Cabbage Chickpea Soup
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A warming, nourishing bowl of plant-based goodness, this vegan spicy cabbage chickpea soup is simple to prepare and features a spicy kick.
Creamy Roasted Beet Hummus
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Sweet roasted beets lend the most beautiful, vibrant pink color to this vegan hummus recipe!
Savory Chickpea Cobbler
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This vegan savory chickpea cobbler is the ultimate plant-based winter comfort food dish! Made with chickpeas, a rustic biscuit topping, and a flavorful sauce built from an umami-rich broth.
Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad
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This chickpea pesto pasta salad is a fast, fresh, flavorful vegan lunch! It's made with a dairy-free pesto, chickpeas for some plant protein protein, and peppery arugula. It makes great leftovers, too.
Quick Carrot Chickpea Couscous Salad
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This carrot chickpea couscous salad is a flavorful, filling vegan lunch. Quick-cooking, convenient couscous makes the salad easy to prepare. It's a great meal prep option for weekday lunches, and it can be served either warm or cold.
Lemony Bulgur Chickpea Salad
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This simple lemony bulgur chickpea salad comes together fast, and it tastes vibrant and bright! It makes perfect leftovers for weekday lunches or light dinners.
Red Lentil Chickpea Loaf with Mushroom Gravy
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This red lentil chickpea loaf is a nourishing, vegan spin on a beloved comfort food: meatloaf! It's made with red lentils, chickpeas, so it's packed with plant protein. I serve it with an easy mushroom gravy.
Creamy Chickpeas & Mushrooms Over Mashed Potatoes
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Creamy chickpeas & mashed potatoes are the ultimate, nutritious comfort food! They're packed with fiber and nutrients, cozy, and filling. The dish can also be made gluten-free!
Easy Curried Chickpeas and Spinach
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Curried chickpeas and spinach makes for a fast, flavorful, and nutritious vegan dinner. The recipe is easy enough to prepare on a busy weeknight, and the leftovers taste even better after a day or two. Pair with your favorite whole grain for a complete meal!
Quinoa, Carrot, and Spinach Salad with Spicy Carrot Chili Vinaigrette
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This quinoa carrot spinach salad is refreshing, yet hearty! It's made with nutritious quinoa and chickpeas, as well as tender roasted carrots. The carrot chili vinaigrette is a sweet, spicy dressing that you can double and use on all of your salads and bowls.
Za’atar Spiced Chickpea Quinoa Burgers (Vegan)
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These za'atar spiced chickpea quinoa burgers are full of savory flavor and have a firm texture with crispy edges. They're seasoned with za'atar spice and sun-dried tomatoes. Thanks to a nutritious base of pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, and cooked quinoa, the burgers are not only vegan, but also gluten-free! I like to serve them on pita or a bun with crisp, fresh vegetables and lemon tahini dressing.
High Protein Hemp Hummus
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High protein hemp hummus is a great alternative to regular hummus! It features nutrient-dense hemp seeds as well as tahini. It's a nutritious, satisfying snack that's also great in sandwiches and wraps.
Grilled Polenta with Chickpeas, Artichokes & Tomatoes
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This dish of grilled polenta with chickpeas, artichokes & tomatoes is a hearty and flavorful plant-based dinner idea! It's easy to make ahead and perfect for grilling season.
Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
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This butternut squash and chickpea curry comes together easily, and it packs a lot of sweet and savory flavor. With some cooked rice, it's a perfect meal for busy evenings.
Quinoa Chickpea Caesar Salad
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This vegan quinoa chickpea caesar salad is a healthy spin on a classic recipe! It's made with a protein-rich combination of crispy chickpeas and tender quinoa. Plus, it's smothered in an irresistable, dairy free cashew Caesar dressing.
Roasted Carrot Hummus with Chickpeas and Tahini
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This recipe for roasted carrot hummus is creamy, smooth, and full of flavor! Roasted carrots give this easy hummus recipe a sweeter flavor, a beautiful orange color, and a boost of extra nutrition. Once the carrots are roasted, they’re added to chickpeas, tahini, and a few other simple ingredients, then blended until perfectly smooth in a food processor.
Layered Fattoush Salad with Za’atar Roasted Chickpeas
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This version of fattoush salad is deconstructed, or layered on a platter, so it's perfect for snacking and sharing! It features toasted pita wedges, crispy za'atar roasted chickpeas, and a bright green, herby vegan tahini dressing.
Quinoa with Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Chickpeas
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Quinoa with roasted tomatoes and chickpeas is the perfect, easy summer vegan side dish. It's easy to make, but it's so flavorful, thanks to juicy and sweet burst cherry tomatoes. Chickpeas add some plant protein to this versatile recipe.
Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers
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These sweet potato chickpea burgers are vegan, gluten-free, and so easy to make. They're also a versatile plant-based protein! Serve them traditionally, in a burger bun, or add them to bowls, wraps, and salads.
Lemon Dill Zucchini Chickpea Rice
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This lemon dill zucchini & chickpea rice is a wholesome, Mediterranean-inspired meal that's both easy and flavorful.
Tomato Quinoa & Chickpeas
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This recipe for tomato quinoa & chickpeas is so fast and easy to make! This is a perfect, nutritious side dish for home cooks in a hurry. You can add vegetables or other accompaniments to the recipe in order to make it a complete meal.
Chickpea Miso Vegetable Stew
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This creamy chickpea miso vegetable stew has a deep, savory flavor, thanks to the use of miso for seasoning. It's hearty and healthy, and you can make it with whatever vegetables you have!
Moroccan Chickpea Tomato Stew
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A fresh, flavorful spiced pot of tomatoes and chickpeas is the perfect accompaniment to any whole grain, flatbread, or even a bowl of noodles. This dish is a perfect way to use up your summer tomatoes and get some plant protein while you're at it!
Kimchi Smashed Chickpea Salad
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This kimchi smashed chickpea salad is a simple and flavor-forward topping for toast, wraps, crackers, or veggies. Kimchi lends bold flavor, fiber, and healthful probiotics to the recipe!
And last but not least, my chickpea scramble. This is a great one for piling over cooked rice or toast. I love it with fresh herbs, or with a generous drizzle of yum sauce!
25 Nutritious Vegan Chickpea Recipes: Easy Chickpea Scramble
Author –Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped
- 8-10 ounces white button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Dash crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas (2 14.5-ounce cans, rinsed and drained)
- Cooked whole grains (for serving)
- Fresh chopped parsley leaves (for serving)
- Hot sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and peppers. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until the onion is clear and soft. Add a few tablespoons of water as needed to prevent the vegetables from sticking.
- Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Mix the vegetables and cover the skillet. Allow the mushrooms to cook for another five minutes, or until they’ve released their liquid and are soft and cooked through.
- While the vegetables cook, mix your spices (salt, turmeric, chili powder, smoked paprika, and pepper flakes) together. When the mushrooms are cooked, add the spice blend, the nutritional yeast, and the chickpeas, as well as about a third or half cup of water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to be sure everything is well combined. Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until everything is hot and and the chickpeas are just starting to get crispy. Check the mixture for seasoning and season to taste with additional spices, salt, or pepper.
- To serve, divide the chickpea scramble over even portions of cooked rice, another whole grain, or toast. Garnish with lime wedges and a sprinkle of parsley. Add some hot sauce, if you like. Enjoy!
I hope these recipes will give you a little inspiration for the next time you find yourself with limited energy to cook, but a can of trusty beans in your pantry. Enjoy!
xo
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Categories: Recipes,
Main Dishes,
Side Dishes,
Scrambles & Hashes
Method: Stovetop
Ingredients: Chickpeas
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Recipe Features: 30 Minute or Less, Meal Prep, Quick & Easy
Method: Stovetop
Ingredients: Chickpeas
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Recipe Features: 30 Minute or Less, Meal Prep, Quick & Easy
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Wish you would provide the calorie,carb and protein content of your recipes.That would be so helpful for us over 75 folks who must balance calorie intake with protein needs,