How to Cook Garbanzo Beans Soft & Creamy (2023)

Learn how to cook garbanzo beans that are soft, creamy, and full of flavor. Discover the best techniques for soaking and cooking to get the best flavor and texture (without the beans bursting).

Just to clear the air: garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same beans. Historically, the Spanish used garbanzo and the English coined the term chickpea. Both names are used today.

In the United States the names are used interchangeably. In fact, it’s easy to find cans labeled garbanzo beans and cans marked chickpeas in grocery stores side by side. Some brands even have both bean names on the label.

What do Chickpeas Taste Like?

Chickpeas have a mostly neutral taste with mild nutty flavor. They blend easily with other ingredients, being savory and filling. Blended, they have a slightly grainy but creamy texture.

Chickpeas are a staple in many vegan diets.

There are many excellent recipes with homemade chickpeas. Smooth hummus, hearty veggie burgers, and tangy garbanzo bean salad are a few examples of easy chickpea recipes.

Canned vs. Cooked from Scratch

For years, I didn’t do much with garbanzo beans, even though we eat a lot of beans.

Then our family tried being vegan for a couple of months and I introduced hummus. The first time my children ate it, they loved it.

We ate hummus almost daily, so I started making it. Since I made hummus from scratch, I decided to learn how to cook garbanzo beans from dried beans.

After making homemade hummus with freshly cooked garbanzo beans, it was impossible to go back to a canned variety.

Garbanzo beans are the star of the show in hummus recipes, so they taste as good as possible.

It is a fact. Garbanzo beans cooked from scratch taste better than a can of chickpeas. So, make your own beans whenever you can.

All beans taste better when they are home-cooked. Check out my post on how to cook black beans if you are interested in cooking black beans from scratch.

Why You Will Love to Cook Garbanzo Beans from Scratch

• Save money: Dry beans always cost less than canned beans. Buy them prepackaged or from the bulk bin in the grocery store.

• Get a better taste: Home-cooked garbanzo beans taste fresher and better than canned beans.

• Chemical-free: Never worry about BPA or other chemicals often found in tin cans when you cook beans from scratch.

Do You Really Need to Soak Garbanzo Beans Before Cooking?

You may ask this question if you are pressed for time. I always recommend pre-soaking dried beans. Soak the beans in plenty of water for at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight (10-12 hours).

Why should you soak beans before cooking them?

• Reduced cooking time. Soaking beans reduces the cooking time by about 30%.  

• Better texture. Presoaking makes creamier and softer beans.

• Reduced gastrointestinal symptoms. Soaking garbanzo beans can help reduce bloating and flatulence often associated with eating beans.

Garbanzo beans contain complex sugars known as oligosaccharides. Unfortunately, our digestive enzymes cannot break down oligosaccharides. As a result, the bacteria in our intestines ferment these complex sugars, causing gas and bloating.

However, oligosaccharides are water-soluble. This means if you soak the beans, discard the soak water, and thoroughly rinse them, you can wash away a lot of these complex sugars.

Always discard the soak water the next day and get fresh water to cook the beans.

How to Soak Garbanzo Beans

Soaked beans take less time to cook.

However, everyone has an opinion about what solution to soak the beans in. Some chefs advocate salt water, while others tout the benefits of a baking soda and water solution. 

And then there is just plain water. That was what I had been using for a long time.

I firmly believe that technique is one of the most essential elements of good cooking. After reading conflicting views on the best way to soak garbanzo beans, I conducted my own experiment. I called it The Soak Test.  

The Soak Test (Experiment #1)

Question: What is the difference in garbanzo beans' appearance, texture, and taste based on the solution they are soaked in.

For each soak, I used 8 cups of cold water and 1 cup of dried garbanzo beans. This ratio gives the beans enough water to soak and expand.

Soak Solutions:

• Plain water (control group): 8 cups of plain water

• Salt water: 8 cups of water + 1½ tablespoons of granulated salt

• Water with baking soda: 8 cups of water + ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda

Results

Soak Water	Texture	Skin Peeling
Plain water	Firm	Some peeling
Salt water	Firmest	No peeling
Baking soda water	Soft	Significant peeling

Appearance: I observed each set of beans after being soaked overnight and then cooked.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in plain water (control group): The beans appeared firm, with some skin peeling.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in salt water: These beans looked the firmest, with little or no skin peeling off. 
  
  If you plan to roast the garbanzo beans or use them in a salad, I recommend soaking them in salt water brine.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in water and baking soda: The bean skin fell off easily. Some skins were even floating in the water.
  
  If you like to peel the skin off your garbanzo beans before making hummus, soak your beans in a baking soda and water solution.

Texture and Feel: I mashed a bean from each group between my fingers to feel the texture and softness of each bean.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in plain water (control group): Beans were soft but held their shape.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in salt water brine: These beans were the firmest. The appearance and texture were consistent. Firm all around.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in water and baking soda: These beans were the softest, perhaps even overdone. They may not need as much cooking time after soaking with baking soda.

Taste: I recruited the family tasters to sample and evaluate each bean group.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in plain water (control group): They tasted fine – no problems.

• Garbanzo beans soaked in salt water brine: These were all of our favorites. They did not taste salty, but the bean tasted better. 
  
  What surprised me the most was that the inside of the bean was creamy. It looked like it was the firmest of the three groups and was the firmest when smashed between my fingers.
  
  However, the inside defied my expectations based on appearance. It was rich and smooth. 

• Garbanzo beans soaked in water and baking soda: Unanimous vote for least favorite. It was hard to get past the mushiness. And they tasted bland.

What is the Science Behind Soaking Beans in Salt Water?

The answer involves chemistry.

Remember learning about ions and ion exchanges in high school chemistry? Me neither. 

But as I researched why soaking beans in salt water produced such excellent results, I stumbled on a chemistry lesson.

Bean skins contain pectin molecules with strong calcium and magnesium ions. When beans soak in salt water, sodium ions (salt) exchange places with some of the calcium and magnesium ions.

This weakens the pectin in the skin so the bean can absorb more water. You get a bean with a softer texture.

In addition, the sodium ions allow the bean skin to be more flexible. The flexibility helps the bean skin expand as it absorbs water. During cooking, the bean skin stretches and stays intact rather than bursting.

The Best Technique to Soak Garbanzo Beans

1. SORT the garbanzo beans. Remove any debris.
   
   
2. SOAK the beans in salt water. Place 1 cup of chickpeas in a large bowl and soak with 2 quarts water and 1½ tablespoons of salt.
   
   Beans will soak up a lot of water, so give them enough. Soak at least 8 hours, but preferably 10-12 hours.
   
   
3. DRAIN and RINSE the beans. Drain the beans in a colander. Rinse them for 15 seconds under running water.

YIELD: approximately 2¼ cups of cooked beans for every 1 cup of dried garbanzo beans.

The Cooking Method Test (Experiment #2)

Now that you know the best soaking method, let’s move on to the ideal cooking approach.

Question: What is the difference in the taste and texture of garbanzo beans based on the cooking method used to cook the beans.  

Cooking Methods

• Electric pressure cooker
• Slow cooker
• Stockpot on the stovetop

I evaluated the cooking time and ease, the texture of the cooked bean, and the taste.

Results: Time and Ease

Cooking Method	Cook Time	Pros	Cons
Pressure Cooker	15 minutes	quickest & easiest	can't check progress while cooking
Slow Cooker	2-3 hours (high) 8-12 hours (low)	hands-free, easy to check progress	longest
Stovetop	60 to 90 minutes	easy to check progress, moderate cook time	most hands-on time and attention

Pressure Cooker Garbanzo Beans

• Quickest method: It takes about 10 minutes to reach high pressure, followed by 15 minutes to cook. Total time = approximately 25 minutes. This does not include the time it takes the pressure cooker to naturally release pressure (about 20 minutes).

• Easiest method: Hands-free cooking. The timer indicates when the beans are finished, and the automatic warmer keeps the beans warm until you are ready to use them.

• Impossible to check during cooking: You must release pressure to check whether the beans are finished. If the beans need more cook time, pressurize the pan again. This takes a few minutes, depending on your pressure cooker and the amount of water in the pan.

Slow Cooker Garbanzo Beans

• Longest method: It takes 2 to 3 hours to cook on high and 8 to 10 hours on low.

• Hands-free: Pour in water and beans, turn on the slow cooker, and you are done. The beans stay warm when they are finished cooking until you are ready to use them.

• Easy to check during cooking: Easy to check the beans and continue cooking if they aren’t finished.

Stovetop Garbanzo Beans

• Moderate time method: It takes about an hour to cook the beans.

• Hardest method: This is not hands-free. Heat the garbanzo beans to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until the beans are finished cooking. Turn off the stove and remove the pan from heat after the beans are done.

• Easy to check during cooking: Check the beans anytime and continue cooking if they aren’t finished.

Texture

When cooking with each of these simple methods, there was no noticeable difference in the texture of the cooked beans.

The most significant factor in getting the right texture was cooking the beans for the correct amount of time for each cooking method.

As indicated above, slow cooker and stovetop garbanzo beans are easier to check for doneness than pressure cooked beans.

Taste

The flavor of the cooked beans was very similar. If forced to choose, we preferred garbanzo beans cooked in the slow cooker. They tasted slightly better (all other things being equal). But the difference in flavor was minimal at best.

Recommendations

Each of these methods produces a flavorful, excellent textured garbanzo bean. The difference comes in the ease and time each technique takes. 

Therefore, I recommend the electric pressure cooker because it is the quickest and easiest hands-free method.

The Cooking Liquid Test (Experiment #3)

Question: What is the difference in taste, texture, and appearance in the garbanzo beans when cooked in salt water versus plain water.

We know soaking the beans in salt water is the best soaking method. But does cooking them in salt water make a difference as well?

Cooking Solution

• Plain water
• Salt water

I soaked 1 cup of garbanzo beans in salt water overnight. Then I cooked the beans in either 3 cups of plain water (control group) or 3 cups of water + 1 teaspoon of salt.

Results

Cooking Liquid	Texture	Taste
Plain water	Identical appearance and texture	Good flavor
Salt water	Identical appearance and texture	Best flavor

There was no noticeable difference in appearance and texture of the beans, regardless of whether they were cooked in plain water or salt water.

However, all the tasters preferred the taste of the garbanzo beans cooked in salt water.  

Please note: the beans did not taste salty. They simply had more flavor.

Can You Cook Chickpeas in Chicken Broth?

You can boil beans in a cooking liquid other than water. Vegetable or chicken broth are both excellent choices to get flavorful chickpeas.

Make a soup with chickpeas, chicken broth, a couple of bay leaves, and lemon peel.

Best Cooking Process for Garbanzo Beans

The experiment results were clear. Soaking garbanzo beans in salt water AND cooking the beans in salt water produced the best outcome. You get the best flavored beans with an excellent appearance and texture.

All three cooking methods produced delicious beans, with negligible differences. So, choose whichever cooking method works for you. Keep in mind the pros and cons of each technique when making your choice.

Listed below are the directions for cooking the beans using each of the three methods.

Instant Pot Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas

I should rephrase “instant pot garbanzo beans” to “electric pressure cooker garbanzo beans.”  

The Instant Pot is the most popular electric pressure cooker out there. However, I prefer using the Fagor pressure cooker. You can read about why I like the Fagor pressure cooker if you are interested.

However, any electric pressure cooker will work. This is my favorite way to cook garbanzo beans. It is easy and takes less time to cook. Best of all, it is hands-free.  

Most electric pressure cookers have a warming function. Cook the beans in the morning before work. The soft chickpeas will be warm and ready for you at night.

How to Cook Garbanzo Beans in an Electric Pressure Cooker (after pre-soaking in salt water overnight)

Instant Pot chickpeas are quick, easy, and low maintenance.

• ADD the soaked chickpeas to the pressure cooker. Pour in 1 to 2 cups of fresh water (cover the beans by 1 inch) and 1 teaspoon of salt.

• COOK on high pressure for 15 minutes.

• ALLOW NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE when the pressure cooker has finished. Try to resist a quick release.

• SKIM the foam from off the top. DRAIN the beans.
  
  Pro Tip: Keep the used chickpea water. You can use this bean water, known as aquafaba. More on aquafaba below.

• RINSE the beans. Use the cooked beans in any recipe.

How to Cook Garbanzo Beans in a Slow Cooker (after pre-soaking in salt water overnight)

• ADD pre-soaked beans to the slow cooker container. Cover the beans with 2 inches of water (about 4 cups of fresh water) and 1 teaspoon of salt.

• COOK on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 8 to 12 hours.

• SKIM off the foam on top. DRAIN the beans. Keep the aquafaba (bean water) if desired.

• RINSE the beans and use them in any recipe.

How to Cook Garbanzo Beans on the Stove Top (after pre-soaking in salt water overnight)

• ADD pre-soaked beans to a large pot. Add 4 cups of fresh water to cover beans 1 inch and 1 teaspoon of salt.

• COVER with the lid and bring the water to a rolling boil.

• REDUCE the heat to low. Keep the lid on the pan. The water should simmer but not boil over.

• SIMMER the beans for 60 to 90 minutes.

• SKIM off the foam on top. DRAIN the beans. Keep the aquafaba (bean water) if desired.

• RINSE the beans and use them in any recipe.

How do You Know When Garbanzo Beans are Done?

Garbanzo beans are done when they are soft enough to be smashed between your fingers. They will have a smooth and creamy consistency.

What is the Quick Soak Method?

If you forget to soak the beans overnight, all is not lost. You can follow the quick soak method instead.

What is the quick-soak method? The quick soak process is a speedy way to soften beans before cooking. Boil the beans for 3 minutes and then soak them in the hot water for an hour.

1. SORT and RINSE 2 cups of beans (1 pound).
   
   
2. POUR the beans, eight cups of water, and 1½ tablespoons of salt into a large pan.
   
   
3. HEAT on the stovetop until the water boils.
   
   
4. BOIL for 3 minutes.
   
   
5. REMOVE the whole pot from the heat. Place the lid on the pan and let the beans rest in the hot water for at least an hour.
   
   
6. When you are ready to cook the beans, DRAIN the water and RINSE the beans. Then COOK them using whichever cooking method you prefer.

What is Aquafaba?

Aquafaba is the water that remains after the beans have cooked. It is thick and slightly slimy. The name aquafaba literally means bean water.

Using aquafaba is a better option than throwing it out.

Aquafaba can be a fantastic egg substitute. If it is thick enough, 1 tablespoon is equivalent to one egg yolk. Two tablespoons can substitute for one egg white. Three tablespoons act like one whole egg.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

• Store dry chickpeas in an airtight container (like a lidded mason jar) in your cupboard.

• For future use, store cooked chickpeas in the refrigerator or the freezer.

How Long do Cooked Garbanzo Beans Last in the Fridge

Cooked garbanzo beans last up to one week when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can you Freeze Garbanzo Beans?

You can easily freeze garbanzo beans and have them ready whenever you need them.

• After they are cooked, drain the beans thoroughly. 

• Pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel. The beans freeze best if they are dry.

• Place the beans in a zip-top freezer bag in a single layer. Lay the bag flat in the freezer.

• Freeze one hour. Then remove the bag and shake and gently break apart any beans that froze together.

• Return to the freezer and freeze completely. Store them in the zip-top bag or a freezer-safe container.

• Store the frozen beans for up to 6 months.

How to Cook Frozen Chickpeas

To use the frozen chickpeas, pull out the amount you need and return the rest of the bag to the freezer.

Frozen chickpeas are a great addition to soups and casseroles. Do not thaw first if you are using the beans in a cooked dish. Simply mix the beans in. 

Depending on the amount of frozen beans you added, you may need to increase the cooking time by 5 or 10 minutes.

If you are using the beans in a raw dish (like hummus or salad), thaw the beans in the refrigerator before using them in the recipe.

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Recipe

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What to Make with Garbanzo Beans

• Original hummus: To make hummus, blend chickpeas, water, lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, spices, and kosher salt in a food processor.

• Roasted red pepper hummus: Roasted red pepper hummus is flavored with roasted red peppers and seasoned with smoked paprika. Slightly sweet, smoky, and bright, with a hint of bitter tahini. Quick and easy appetizer or snack, high in fiber and protein.