Canned or Fresh

• Chickpeas are also available canned. Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked and ready to use. When working with a recipe that calls for dried chickpeas, one cup of dried chickpeas is equal to two and a half cups of cooked (or canned) chickpeas. Rinse canned chickpeas to reduce sodium used in the canning process.

  Chickpeas are also available fresh in many Mexican or specialty markets. Cook fresh chickpeas before using in recipes. Skip the soaking process with fresh chickpeas that is required when using dried chickpeas. This will save hours of time when making a quick recipe.

Great Northern Bean

• Great northern beans are a large white bean that resembles the shape of a lima bean. Great as a substitution for chickpeas because of their similarities in color, Great northern beans offer a delicate and nutty flavor that resembles that of chickpeas.

Lima Beans

• Lima beans, also known as butter beans, Madagascar beans or wax beans, are also substitutes for dried chickpeas. Available in both small or larger varieties, the lima bean offers flexibility in cooking. Though these beans are a bit hard to digest and not very good when canned, their nutty flavor offers a solid alternative to chickpeas.

Fava Beans

• Fava beans are also known as broad beans, butter beans, Windsor beans, horse beans, English beans or habas. With a strong meaty flavor, these beans are available canned, dried or frozen. Peel their waxy skin before eating, and use as a substitute for chickpeas in any recipe. Note when seasoning that their flavor is a bit bolder than chickpeas.