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How to Cook Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)

A bowl of cooked dried chickpeas.

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Easy, detailed instructions for how to cook garbanzo beans in your pressure cooker, slow cooker or on the stovetop. My favorite method is the pressure cooker! Note that the cooking time will vary depending on how you cook the beans and whether or not they are soaked. 

I've noticed that some brands of dried beans cook differently than other brands. So your garbanzo beans might take longer or shorter to cook than my garbanzo beans. However, these instructions should give you a very close approximation of how long to cook your dried chickpeas. 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound dried garbanzo beans (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt)

Instructions

Optional: Soak the beans before cookings. See notes below for detailed soaking instructions

  1. Combine the beans, water and salt in the cooking vessel
  2. Add additional flavors if desired (such as onion, garlic, fresh herbs - see notes below for more ideas)
  3. Follow the cooking times below, depending on the cooking method

Pressure Cooker 

Un-soaked: Cook on high pressure for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the texture you prefer. Use a natural release when the cooking time is done. 

Soaked: If the beans have been soaked about 12 hours, then cook them 5 to 10 minutes at high pressure, depending on the texture you want. If the beans were soaked 8 hours or less, then try 15 to 18 minutes at high pressure. Use a natural release when the cooking time is done.

Slow Cooker

I like to add an extra cup of water to the slow cooker (so 1 pound of dried beans with 9 cups wate)

Un-soaked: Cook on high for 6 to 8+ hours

Soaked: Cook on high for 3 to 6+ hours

Stovetop 

I recommend always soaking dried garbanzo beans overnight before cooking them on a stovetop. After soaking, drain the beans then simmer in fresh water (uncovered or partially covered with a lid) until they reach your desired texture. Cooking time on the stove can vary a lot. Start checking the beans at 25 minutes, but don't be surprised if they take over an hour to reach a texture you like. Make sure the beans are covered with water the entire time, adding more if needed.

Notes

How to Soak Beans

Soaking beans in water before cooking them is optional and can depend on the cooking method. The main benefit of soaking is that it shortens the cooking time and makes it more likely that the beans will cook evenly and have a creamy, tender texture.

To soak beans, put the beans in a large bowl (they expand in size as they soak) and add enough cold water so there's about 2-inches of water above the beans. For more flavor and to soften the bean skins, add 1 tablespoon of salt for every pound of beans. 

Soak the beans for a minimum of 6 hours and up to 12 hours before draining, rinsing and cooking. The longer the soaking time, the shorter the cooking time.

How to Add More Flavor

I usually just cook dried beans in nothing but salted water. However, adding just a few more ingredients while beans cook can add lots of flavor. You can add one or more of these flavor enhancers to the cooking water before cooking the beans: 

  • Fresh thyme, rosemary or parsley stems
  • Whole garlic cloves (or cut the top off a head of garlic and drop it in the pot)
  • Onion, shallot or leeks
  • Whole dried spices, like coriander, peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cumin seeds, bay leaf, dried chiles
  • Celery or carrot
  • Bacon or ham bone 
  • Broth instead of water