25 Nutritious Vegan Chickpea Recipes

May 24, 2021

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.

A white, rimmed bowl has been filled with a bed of cooked rice and a scrambled chickpea mixture, then sprinkled with bright green parsley.

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.

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
A warming, nourishing bowl of plant-based goodness, this vegan spicy cabbage chickpea soup is simple to prepare and features a spicy kick.
Spicy Cabbage Chickpea Soup | The Full Helping
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Creamy Roasted Beet Hummus
Sweet roasted beets lend the most beautiful, vibrant pink color to this vegan hummus recipe!
Creamy Roasted Beet Hummus | The Full Helping
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Savory Chickpea Cobbler
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.
A savory skillet meal with carrots, celery, chickpeas, and a creamy sauce
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Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad
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.
Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad | The Full Helping
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Quick Chickpea Carrot Couscous Salad
This chickpea carrot couscous salad makes for a flavorful, filling vegan lunch. Quick cooking couscous makes it super fast to prepare, and it can be served warm or cold. It makes great leftovers, too!
Quick Chickpea Carrot Couscous Salad | The Full Helping
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Lemony Bulgur Chickpea Salad
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.
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Red Lentil Chickpea Loaf with Mushroom Gravy
This red lentil chickpea loaf is a nourishing, plant-based spin on the classic, beloved comfort food meal: meatloaf! It's made with red lentils, chickpeas, and a fast, flavorful mushroom gravy.
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Creamy Chickpeas & Mushrooms Over Mashed Potatoes
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!
Creamy mashed chickpeas have been piled on top of mashed potatoes with a generous sprinkle of parsley.
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Easy Curried Chickpeas and Spinach
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!
Easy Curried Chickpeas and Spinach | The Full Helping
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Quinoa, Carrot, and Spinach Salad with Spicy Carrot Chili Vinaigrette
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.
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Quinoa Chickpea Za’atar Burgers
Middle Eastern inspired, plant-based burgers served with a tangy, bright tahini sauce.
A side angled photograph of a quinoa chickpea zaatar burger patty, served with lettuce wraps and tahini dressing.
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High Protein Hemp Hummus
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.
A round, white plate is covered in ingredients for a snack, including a vegan hemp hummus and raw crudites.
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Grilled Polenta with Chickpeas, Artichokes & Tomatoes
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.
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Golden Butternut Chickpea Curry
This vegan golden butternut squash and chickpea curry is so flavorful! It has a beautiful golden color, thanks to the addition of turmeric, and it's full of sweet and savory flavors. A perfect one-pot, plant based recipe for fall.
Golden butternut chickpea curry is a fast and flavorful meal—especially when it's served with freshly cooked couscous and chopped green onions.
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Quinoa Chickpea Caesar Salad
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.
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Roasted Carrot Hummus
This roasted carrot hummus is creamy smooth and full of flavor! Roasted carrots give it sweet overtones, a beautiful orange color, and a boost of extra nutrition.
An image of roasted carrot hummus with a seedy cracker.
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Fattoush Nachos with Crispy Za’atar Roasted Chickpeas
A completely untraditional spin on nachos! This dish trades chips for toasted pita wedges and includes ingredients from fattoush salad. It's topped with crispy, za'atar roasted chickpeas and a bright tahini dressing.
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Quinoa with Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Chickpeas
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.
Quinoa with Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Chickpeas | The Full Helping
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Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers
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.
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Lemon Dill Zucchini & Chickpea Rice
This lemon dill zucchini & chickpea rice is a wholesome, Mediterranean-inspired meal. It's fresh and filling for lunch or dinner. You can save time on meal preparation by cooking your rice in advance.
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Easy Spanish Quinoa & Chickpeas
This recipe for easy Spanish quinoa & chickpeas is a keeper for busy nights! It's so easy to make, thanks to quick-cooking quinoa. You can add vegetables to the recipe in order to make it a complete meal, or you can serve it as a nutritious side dish.
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Chickpea Miso Vegetable Stew
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!
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Moroccan Chickpea Tomato Stew
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!
Moroccan Chickpea Tomato Stew | The Full Helping
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Smashed Kimchi & Chickpea Salad
This smashed kimchi chickpea salad is a simple and flavor-forward topping for toast, wraps, crackers, or veggies. It features gut-friendly kimchi, too!
Get 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!

A white, rimmed bowl has been filled with a bed of cooked rice and a scrambled chickpea mixture, then sprinkled with bright green parsley.
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25 Nutritious Vegan Chickpea Recipes: Easy Chickpea Scramble

This chickpea scramble makes a wonderful, savory plant-based breakfast! It’s quick, easy, and packed with plant-protein and nutrition from beans and vegetables. Plus, 24 of my favorite vegan chickpea recipes.
Course Breakfast, main, Main Course
Cuisine American
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword chickpeas, mushroom, onion, peppers
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 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!
A black, cast iron skillet holds a mixture of sautéed vegetables and garbanzo beans.

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

The post 25 Nutritious Vegan Chickpea Recipes appeared first on The Full Helping.

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