Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (2024)

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Pull out the crockpot for a batch of these vegan Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas. Mix in some extra vegetables if you'd like and serve over rice or quinoa. 188 calories and 0 Weight Watchers SP
Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (1)

These Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas prove that this protein-packed legume isn’t destined just for hummus. In fact, chickpeas are fantastic as thickeners - like in this carrot soup or this curried sweet potato soup – or as a base for hearty stews – like in this spiced chickpea stew or this vegan curry.

This recipe makes a big batch and usually lasts for a few days, so I mix things up by stirring in fresh spinach, sautéed mushrooms and zucchini, or cauliflower florets. Anything that helps me reach my (sometime elusive) goal of filling half of my plate with vegetables!

Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (2)

Tips for making these Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas:

If you've ever made a homemade tomato sauce, this recipe will seem very familiar to you. The tomato sauce starts in a skillet, with sautéed onions and garlic seasoned with oregano, then combined with crushed and diced tomatoes. As you'll find with any tomato sauce, the better the canned tomatoes, the better the sauce.

The tomato sauce finishes its simmering in the slow cooker, along with the chickpeas. Eat this straight, or serve it over some sort of whole grain, such as brown rice or quinoa (see my tips on freezing quinoa). Or use sautéed cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles as a base. If you really want to up your game, make a batch of and ladle the chickpeas over top.

I like to grate some fresh Parmesan cheese over top, but if you'd like to keep this vegan, pass on the cheese.

Chickpeas vs garbanzo beans:

Although the names couldn’t be more different, chickpeas and garbanzo beans are in fact the same thing. My research tells me that the name “chickpea” comes from French word “chiche”, which originates from the Latin cicer arietinum. There’s some legume knowledge that you can use to “wow” your food-loving friend.

Did you know that chickpeas are also known as chana, Egyptian peas, Bengal grams and ceci? Different names, same fiber and protein-packed legume.

Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (3)

Can this be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! It keeps very well in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Transfer the chickpeas to a bowl, cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat the whole batch in a skillet or in your crockpot, or heat up individual servings in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner.

Other vegan slow cooker recipes:

Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup {Cookin’ Canuck}
Crockpot Spiced Chickpea Stew {Cookin’ Canuck}
Slow Cooker Vegan Sweet & Sour Tempeh {Eating Bird Food}
Slow Cooker Cacciatore (Vegan) {Veggies Save The Day}

Printable Recipe

Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (4)

Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas {Vegan}

Pull out the crockpot for these vegan Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas. Serve over rice, pasta and quinoa. 188 calories and 0 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

4.70 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Gluten Free, Slow Cooker, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours hours

Total Time: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 187.8kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute.

  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, petite diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Transfer to a slow cooker. Stir in the chickpeas.

  • Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

  • Stir in the parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  • Serve over rice, pasta, or quinoa with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 0 (Blue - Freestyle), 4 (Green), 0 (Purple)

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75Cup | Calories: 187.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.9g | Protein: 7.6g | Fat: 2.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 701.4mg | Fiber: 7.9g | Sugar: 6.9g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

This post was originally published on February 16, 2017 and was updated on February 4, 2020.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Melissa

    Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (10)
    Made these last night and they were awesome. I used dried chickpeas that I soaked overnight. If you go this route, MAKE SURE to precook before adding to your crockpot or they will not cook thoroughly! I simmered them for close to an hour before adding to the crockpot and they were aldente after 4 hours on high. I added a little white wine to the onion and garlic sautee, extra red pepper flakes, and a little balsamic to the crockpot. They turned out delicious! Taste the sauce as it’s cooking and add things to your liking. I ended up adding a touch of sugar too. The tomato flavor is great. Topped with fresh parsley, some extra virgin olive oil and parmesan, served with homemade bread to soak up that delicious tomato sauce. Yum! Next time I’ll use fresh basil instead of parsley, I think that will be even better. This recipe is filling and healthy and definitely a keeper.

    Reply

  2. Jamie

    Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (11)
    We just finished eating dinner. Served with boxed Parmesan couscous and garlic toast. Wow! Rave reviews and seconds all around. I’m excited to have the leftovers as well

    Reply

  3. Ilya

    If I make this with dried chickpeas, do I need to soak them overnight first?

    Reply

    • Dara

      Hi Ilya, I haven't tested this recipe using dried chickpeas. However, the general consensus from my research is that you can soak the chickpeas overnight first if you would prefer a shorter cooking time, but it's not necessary.

      Reply

  4. Darrell

    Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (12)
    I've been eating a lot of vegetarian dishes lately. Trying to get a little healthier . I guess. I made your Italian chickpeas this afternoon. They were very good. Wasn't any leftovers. Will surely make those again. So easy. Thanks Darrell

    Reply

  5. Diane

    Could you cook the onions the day before then put everything in the slow cooker in the morning?

    Reply

    • Dara

      Yes, that would definitely work!

      Reply

  6. Dave

    Wish your instructions were a bit more explicit. When do you add the oregano? And do you simmer the sauce on the stovetop, and if so for how long?

    Reply

    • Dara

      Hi Dave, I apologize for the oregano omission (fixed now) - it's added at the same time as the garlic and red pepper flakes. And no, you don't simmer the sauce on the stovetop. All of the simmering happens in the slow cooker.

      Reply

  7. Leah

    What makes a good side dish with this?

    Reply

    • Dara

      Hi Leah, I usually serve it with a kale or spinach salad. Sauteed or roasted veggies would also be a great option.

      Reply

  8. Mary

    Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (13)
    This came out great! Thanks for the recipe. My picky eater who likes marinara, but refuses to eat any chickpeas or beans, liked it too. I cheated a little and only sautéed the onion and garlic, then dumped everything in the slow cooker. I will definitely be making it again.

    Reply

    • Dara

      Perfect! I'm so glad it worked for the whole family!

      Reply

  9. Carolyn Donovan

    Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (14)
    Wow oh wow oh wow...I made this yesterday for a going away party for 16. Easy-peasy, not expensive, and quick to "make." Big, big hit!

    Because this was Italian, I decided to go with all Italian brand products, including the chickpeas. People actually commented on the chickpeas without knowing anything about them! I normally get the store brand; maybe there really is a difference. Next time I make this I might try sautéing the onions and garlic in the slow cooker (we've got one of those multi-cookers that seem to have a button for everything); it would save having to wash up an extra pan.

    One thing to note: the "Adjust servings" calculator considers the recipe as written as "one" serving, even though it's for 8. When I initially adjusted the servings to 16 and got "32 tsp olive oil" I knew something was wrong...and I'm not that good in math!

    Reply

  10. Alisha

    Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (15)
    Made this tonight and it turned out great! I love healthy, easy recipes like this! Do you think you could freeze the leftovers? It's too much for my husband and I to eat within a few days.

    Reply

    • Dara

      I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Alisha! I'd be worried about the vegetables become mushy if you freeze them, but it's worth a shot. This recipe should work out just fine if you cut the portions in half next time around. Just use a slightly smaller skillet if you do that.

      Reply

Slow Cooker Italian Chickpeas - Vegan Crockpot Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to soak chickpeas before slow cooking? ›

1If using a slow cooker, add dried chickpeas and 7 cups of water to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. There is no need to soak the beans when using a slow cooker.

What beans are related to chickpeas? ›

The name chickpea comes from the Latin word cicer, referring to the plant family of legumes, Fabaceae. It is also known by its popular Spanish-derived name, the garbanzo bean. Kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, and peanuts are other familiar foods found in this legume family.

How to cook chickpeas in water can? ›

One way you can cook canned chickpeas is on the stovetop. First, drain the chickpeas in a strainer and rinse them off with cool water. Pour the chickpeas into a large pan so they're in a single layer, then fill the pan with enough water to just cover the chickpeas. Heat the chickpeas over medium heat for 5 minutes.

How to cook chickpeas from a can fast? ›

Instructions
  1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Mince the garlic.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but before it browns.
  3. Add the chickpeas, smoked paprika, salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook 2 minutes until warmed through.
Aug 7, 2020

What happens if you don't pre soak chickpeas? ›

You don't have to soak your chickpeas before cooking, but it makes the beans cook much faster. It can take up to twice the time if you don't soak them first. And soaking may help remove some of the phytic acid found in dry beans which helps to remove some of their gas-producing properties.

How many hours should chickpeas be soaked before cooking? ›

Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with water by a good few inches then leave them overnight (8 to 24 hours). Quick soaking method. This takes only 1 hour before cooking. Put the chickpeas in a large pot and cover them with plenty of water, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

What is the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? ›

The honest answer—there's no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They're just two (of many) different names for the same type of pulse. (Pulses are basically seeds of legume plants.) The word chickpea doesn't come from chickens at all—it's an evolution of the plant's Latin name, cicer arietinum.

Is garbanzo beans and chickpeas the same thing? ›

Although their names are very different, garbanzo beans and chickpeas refer to the same bean. And to confuse things a little more, chickpeas are beans, not peas. "They are the same, one is obviously more Anglophile," says Steve Sando, the founder of heirloom bean company Rancho Gordo.

Are chickpeas healthier than other beans? ›

Answer: All three beans, like other legumes, are great choices,supplying protein and dietary fiber as well as a variety ofvitamins and minerals. Black beans are slightly higher in fiberthan the other two choices and provide some extra magnesium, butgarbanzo beans (chickpeas) are a little higher in the B vitaminfolate.

What is the juice from chickpeas called? ›

It's called aquafaba, and it's (basically) free! When we refer to aquafaba (as we often do in our cookbook on vegan cooking, Vegan for Everybody), we're talking about the liquid in a can of chickpeas. (We're not talking about the liquid in a can of any other beans.

Are canned chickpeas in water already cooked? ›

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

Are you supposed to wash chickpeas? ›

If you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them with water to cut the sodium (salt) content by almost a half. Rinse well in cold water to make them easier to digest and less gas-producing.

What is the healthiest way to eat chickpeas? ›

Roasted chickpeas makes an easy snack or crunchy and healthy salad-topper. This tasty salad takes less than 10 minutes to prep and is big on flavor with a bonus of 12 grams of fiber per serving.

Can you eat chickpeas everyday? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

Can I eat chickpeas out of the can? ›

Yes, they are cooked. Most people know this, but a certain someone in my life (okay, fine…it was my sister…she never cooks) once asked me if she had to cook canned chickpeas. You don't. Which means you can eat them straight out of the can, but there are so many ways to jazz them up (keep reading!).

Is 3 hours enough to soak chickpeas? ›

Inspect and discard any shriveled or broken pieces. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover them by about 2 inches, which equates to 4 to 6 cups water for 1 cup dried. Let the chickpeas soak for at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours.

Should canned chickpeas be soaked? ›

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked and ready to eat, while dried chickpeas require soaking and cooking before they can be consumed. Soaked chickpeas are simply dried chickpeas that have been soaked in water for a period of time to soften them before cooking.

Why are my chickpeas still hard after soaking and cooking? ›

Chances are your beans are old. Old beans can seem to take forever to get soft. Cook them longer, making sure you are using plenty of water. Next time, if you have beans from the same source, soak for 48 hours.

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