Chickpeas are always in my pantry because they’re healthy, adaptable, and great for many meals. I like cooking chickpeas from dry beans better, but sometimes, I just want to save time and use canned beans instead.
If canned beans were on sale, I used to buy them. But then I wondered if the brand changed how they taste and feel. To find the best answers, I set out to test many different types.
Why I Picked and Tried the Chickpeas
Since I live in a big city, I can go to a lot of different food shops. To be careful, I went to a few big shops and bought a can of chickpeas for each one. To keep the testing fair and simple, I chose bigger, better-known brands and focused on cans that had no extra spices or tastes added. This is how I did the taste test:
- Looks: I first looked at the beans to see if they were whole and not broken or mushy. Dining is a visual experience.
- Texture: I like my chickpeas crunchy or “al dente,” so they stay in shape when I cook them. Too soft or mushy beans would get lower marks unless they were used in a meal that calls for mashed chickpeas.
- Flavor: I wanted bland chickpeas with a slightly nutty flavor and a clean finish that could be used in many recipes.
From taste and feel to size, each brand offered something different. The name I’ll buy every time is at the top of the list, followed by my least favorite.
The List of Rankings and Suggestions
7. Chickpeas from Bush
You can easily find Bush’s chickpeas at most food shops. Each 16-ounce can cost about $1.75, which is a fair price. But they came in last because the taste was so weak that it was almost unnoticeable. They were fine in texture but didn’t have the authentic chickpea flavor I was looking for.
- Best use: Tossed with spices and roasted, where they can soak up other flavors.
6. Chickpeas by Goya
The chicken in Goya stood out because it was big. These beans were bigger than the others, but that didn’t make them any better in my opinion; they were still too soft. The taste was good, and there was a hint of chickpea, but it wasn’t strong enough to pass.
- Best use: Mashed into hummus for a spread on sandwiches.
5. Chickpeas from Eden Foods
The only organic choice on the list is Eden Foods, which is good if you care about organic products. The texture of these chickpeas was very firm almost too firm to mash but the slightly nutty taste was good. They’re a good choice, but some other brands taste better and can be used in more situations.
- Best use: Added to salads or wraps for a hearty texture.
4. Dakota’s Pride Chickpeas (Aldi)
Aldi’s Dakota’s Pride beans are a great deal for less than a dollar a can. These beans tasted good and were firm, even though they were cheap. They also looked good, making them a great, inexpensive choice that doesn’t skimp on quality.
- Best use: Perfect for salads, veggie burgers, or smashed for toast and sandwiches.
3. Gather and Good Chickpeas (Target)
The Good & Gather beans from Target had a mild, slightly nutty taste and a hard texture that I liked. I liked and could use them in many ways, but they weren’t quite as good as the top two names. Still, these are a good choice, and I’d gladly buy this brand again.
- Best use: Great for any chickpea dish.
2. 365 Chickpeas (Whole Foods)
I liked how the 365 brand chickpeas from Whole Foods tasted and felt like homemade chickpeas. They were great because they were hard on the outside and creamy on the inside, and they tasted slightly nutty, which made them flexible and tasty. If you’re looking for quality, these beans are great.
- Best use: Suitable for any recipe, from soups to salads to roasting.
1. Chickpeas from Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s beans were the best because they had the best taste, texture, and price. For about $1.00 a can, these beans tasted great and went well with everything I tried. They were hard but creamy at the same time. I will put these in my cart whenever I go to Trader Joe’s because they are cheap and good.
- Best use: Ideal for any recipe, whether it’s a simple salad, a stew, or a creamy hummus.
Conclusion
I tried several types and found that each had good points and best uses. Bush’s chickpeas were the cheapest but didn’t taste very good, so they were better for recipes where chickpeas aren’t the main ingredient.
Chickpeas from Goya are big, which makes them good for spreads like hummus that need a lighter structure. Eden Foods sells hard, crunchy chickpeas that are great for salads or wraps and are organic.
Aldi’s Dakota’s Pride is a great option in terms of price and quality. On the other hand, Target’s Good & Gather brand is a safe and tasty pick.
Whole Foods’ 365 chickpeas were almost the winner because they tasted homemade, but Trader Joe’s chickpeas were the clear winner because they were cheaper, tasted better, and could be used in more ways.
FAQs
1. Are the beans from Trader Joe’s the best kind that comes in a can?
In the tests I conducted, Trader Joe’s chickpeas had the best price, texture, and taste. They were hard but creamy and tasted great in everything, so they were my first pick.
2. How should I use Goya chickpeas in the best way?
Because Goya chickpeas are a little lighter, they work best in recipes where chickpeas are mashed or puréed, like in hummus or sandwich spreads.
3. Is there a good organic canned chickpea option?
Eden Foods is a good, healthy choice, yes. Their firm chickpeas taste mild and nutty and are great for salads and wraps.
4. Can I use them in recipes where taste is important?
Bush’s chickpeas don’t have a strong flavor, but they’re still a good choice for recipes where other ingredients are the star, like roasted spiced chickpeas.
5. Which brand of chickpeas is the best for saving money?
Dakota’s Pride from Aldi is very cheap but still tastes and feels good. These are a great option if you want to save money without giving up quality.
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