How to Cook Garbanzo Beans

This is how to cook garbanzo beans or chickpeas dry to tender on the stove, in a slow cooker, or an Instant Pot perfectly! Season and serve as a side dish or use to make homemade hummus!

If you want to know how to cook dry garbanzo beans we have step by step directions for you here. Once done you can blend into hummus, chill for a salad add in or enjoy with some salt and pepper. How long dry beans take to cook is answered here, enjoy. (affiliate links present)

How to Cook Chickpeas

Now that we have that clear you can buy a bag at the store. It may say one or the either term, or both. If you know how to cook Great Northern beans it is basically the same process in a sense. We will soak overnight because overall it aids digestion and the texture turns out better.

How do You Cook Dried Garbanzo Beans on the Stove

• Rinse dry beans in a colander to rinse.
• Pour into a pot and cover with water + 2″ above the top of the beans. Let sit on the countertop overnight to soak.
• Next day drain and rinse.
• Pour into pot over medium high heat and fill with your 6 cups of water or use broth for more flavor.
• Once it reaches a boil turn down to medium heat.
• Cover with a lid and boil for 25-30 minutes or until as tender as you would like.
• Drain, season with salt and pepper or make hummus as you wish.

How to cook Garbanzo Beans in Crockpot

You can follow the soaking instructions and then set chickpeas in slow cooker for a lot longer, but may be your method of choice. I get it especially if you have your meat in another pot and you just want to set it and forget it until dinnertime. You basically follow the same instructions but leave them on low, instead of on stove, for 8-10 hours or until tender.

How to Cook Soaked Chickpeas in Pressure Cooker

1. Start by soaking the peas overnight or for at least 8 hours.
   • This helps soften them and reduce the cooking time. Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas before cooking.
2. Place in the pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the top of them, usually around 2 cups of water for 1 cup of dried chickpeas.
   • You can adjust the water amount based on your preference for a thicker or thinner consistency.
3. If desired, you can add salt, spices, or aromatics to the pot for added flavor.
   • Common additions include a bay leaf, garlic cloves, onion, or spices like cumin, coriander, or paprika.
4. Close the pressure cooker lid securely and set it to high pressure. Cook for about 5 -8 minutes on high pressure. The exact Instant Pot beans cooking time can vary based on the pressure cooker brand and the desired tenderness.
5. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally. This typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid using the quick release valve as it can cause them to become mushy.
6. Carefully open the pressure cooker lid. Test for tenderness by pressing a few between your fingers or tasting them. They should be soft but still hold their shape. If they need additional cooking, you can cook them for a few more minutes on the saute function.

By using a pressure cooker, you can significantly reduce the cooking time of soaked chickpeas, making them tender and ready to use in a shorter period. We share a lot of tips on cooking beans in a pressure cooker here for you so you can see for yourself the difference in timing.

How Long to Cook Soaked Chickpeas

How long to soak chickpeas; To properly soak garbanzos, it is generally recommended to soak them for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. This allows them to rehydrate and soften, which reduces their cooking time and ensures they cook evenly. When cooking from there it only takes about 30 minutes on stovetop or 7 pressure cooked. If you were making our air fryer chickpeas

No Soak Chickpeas Recipe

1. Start by rinsing the dried garbanzo beans under cold running water to remove any dust or debris. Remove any impurities: Sort through the beans and remove any stones or damaged beans that you might find.
2. Place the rinsed beans in a large pot and add enough cooking liquid to cover them by about 2 inches of water. You can also add flavorings like onions, garlic, herbs, or spices if desired.
   • Other soaking methods would be called a quick soak or hot soak
   • Rinse the beans under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
   • Place the beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches (5 cm).
   • Bring the water to a boil and soak the beans boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
   • Turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let the beans soak for 4 to 6 hours.
3. Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
4. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer uncovered. Skim off any foam that may form on the surface.
5. After about 1 hour of simmering, start checking the beans for doneness. They should be tender but not mushy. Cooking times can vary depending on the freshness of the beans, so you may need to simmer them for up to 2 hours or more.
6. Once the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, season them with salt and any additional herbs or spices you like.
7. Drain the beans and serve them as a side dish, in salads, soups, stews, or as a base for other recipes.

Note: Soaking any sort of dry mung beans or any other variety overnight before cooking can help reduce their cooking time and make them easier to digest. However, if you prefer to skip the soaking step, following the above method will still yield cooked tender beans.

Of course you can drain them in a colander or strainer to be ready to be used in various recipes like salads, stews, curries, or an easy hummus which is likely the one thing you think of when you see these. But let’s think outside of the box a bit more beyond those two shall we? Other options would be;

How to Cook Dried Chickpeas

1. Cooked garbanzo beans can be added to Instant Pot curry recipes and stews for a hearty and nutritious addition. They pair well with flavors like tomatoes, coconut milk, spices, and herbs. Consider making a chickpea curry or adding them to a vegetable stew.
2. Toss cooked with olive oil, salt, and spices like paprika, cumin, or chili powder. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven until they become crispy, or make air fryer chickpeas. They make a healthy and satisfying snack.
3. Add to soups for added protein and texture. They work well in vegetable soups, minestrone, or even pureed soups. You can also mash some of the beans to thicken the soup if desired.
4. Mash some with spices, herbs, and a little mayo or yogurt to create a flavorful spread. Use it as a filling in wraps or sandwiches along with your favorite vegetables and condiments.
5. Process them with herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs to make air fryer falafel patties. Can also fry or bake them until golden brown and serve them in pita bread or as part of a mezze platter.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless. Experiment with different recipes and cuisines to make the most of cooked garbanzo beans in your meals.