How to cook garbanzo beans in the slow cooker

Cooking garbanzo beans in the slow cooker is a total game changer-no soaking, no babysitting, just toss them in and let the magic happen. Cooking beans from scratch can take so much time. If you've ever opened a can of garbanzo beans and thought, "There's gotta be a better way," you are so right. Using your slow cooker, they come out perfectly tender, budget-friendly, and way more flavorful than canned. Whether you are meal prepping for the week or stocking your freezer, slow-cooked garbanzo beans are a simple kitchen hack you didn't know you needed. Don't have a slow cooker or want to use your InstantPot, I got you too! Instructions for cooking chickpeas or garbanzo beans on the stovetop and in the Instant Pot are included below.

This post was originally written in February 2012 (Yikes!!) and has been updated with new photos and more detailed instructions, including instructions for using an electric pressure cooker.

Jump to:

• 🌱 Easy, from-scratch chickpeas or garbanzo beans
• How to cook garbanzo beans in the slow cooker
• Why soak garbanzos before cooking?
• How to soak garbanzo beans
• ⏰ How to use your slow cooker to cook garbanzo beans
• Meal prep and planning
• Other cooking methods
• 📋 FAQs:
• 📖 Recipe
• 🍴Recipes to try with garbanzo beans
• 💬 Comments

Have I ever shared this method with you before?  I hope that I have, but I think I may have neglected to do so.  I'm sorry.

Have you ever convinced yourself you did something because you really wanted to make sure you did it? But then didn't actually do it? This is one of those times.

This is important, it will change your life. I promise.

Just a quick note --> garbanzo beans are also called chickpeas They are the same thing! So yes, the below works for chickpeas too! They are also known by a few other names too! Ceci bean, and chana (hence Chana Masala is basically curried chickpeas). Who knew this one little pea could have so many names? Just goes to show you that chickpeas are basically everyone's favourite pea.

🌱 Easy, from-scratch chickpeas or garbanzo beans

Cooking chickpeas is simple; it just takes time. So, plan accordingly. Details for each of the following methods are below.

• Slow-cooker method, about 3 hours after soaking.
• Stove-top method, about 2 hours after soaking.
• Instant pot method, soaked, about 30 minutes after soaking
• Instant pot method, unsoaked, about an hour, no pre-soaking

Today, I will focus on cooking garbanzo beans in the slow cooker.

⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎ PRINTABLE RECIPE card below ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎

But in the meantime, let's start with the basics.

How to cook garbanzo beans in the slow cooker

No special appliances or equipment are needed, but you do need time, so plan accordingly.

The best part of using your slow cooker to cook garbanzo beans is that it is completely hands-off. Just throw them in the slow cooker and walk away. So easy.

Why soak garbanzos before cooking?

You don't need to soak your garbanzo beans before cooking in the slow cooker. You really do not. But I prefer the results. I find that soaking the beans first ensures the beans cook evenly and quickly. But it is unnecessary, so if you forget, don't worry about it. Just plan to cook the beans a little bit longer.

The dried beans expand and absorb water while they soak. And when using any method, soaking cuts the cooking time significantly.

I find the long soak method is the easiest thing to do; it just takes a little pre-planning. Since I usually cook beans in big batches on the weekend, I'll throw them in a bowl at the end of the night with plans to cook them the next day.

How to soak garbanzo beans

First, clean the beans. Use a fine mesh sieve or a colander and rinse the beans under cool running water to remove dust. Check for stones, pebbles or dirt.

Soaking means covering the beans with enough water and then letting them sit. There are two methods for soaking - the long soak method and the quick soak method.

In the picture above, you can see that the soaked beans are almost as big and plump as the fully cooked beans! Soaking saves so much cooking time.

➡︎ Long soak method - at least 8 hours

Place rinsed and drained dried peas in a large bowl, large enough to allow the beans to swell 2 to 3 times their size. Cover with 4x their volume of cool water. Let sit at least eight hours, or overnight. Drain beans before cooking.

➡︎ Quick soak method - just over an hour

Place rinsed and dried peas in a stockpot, cover with 4x their volume in water and bring to a boil. Boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 1 hour. Drain beans before cooking.

⏰ How to use your slow cooker to cook garbanzo beans

My favourite method for cooking dried beans, especially garbanzo beans, is to use the slow cooker.

Why use your slow cooker to cook garbanzo beans?

• It's hands-off. This method works with soaked or unsoaked beans and is completely hands-off. You can walk away and do all the things while the slowcooker does all the work and cooks beans from scratch.

• It's convenient. I like cooking garbanzo beans in the slow cooker because it is so convenient, and I get reliable and evenly cooked results each time.

• Meal Prep. I can make big batches and stash extra in the freezer. Freshly cooked beans for whenever I want to throw some into a soup or make a quick hummus.

• Control your salt. See the tip below! Cooking from scratch means you can decide how much salt to use.

All you need:

• 2 cups of dried chickpeas, rinsed under cold water and soaked overnight
• 6 cups water
• ½ - 1 teaspoon of salt or Herbamare seasoning salt*
• 5-6 quart slow cooker

I like to soak the beans first. I find even and dependable results when I soak the chickpeas overnight first.

After soaking, drain and rinse the chickpeas and add them to the slow cooker along with fresh water and salt, if using. Place your crockpot on high heat and cook for 3 hours.

You do not have to soak the beans, If you do not soak the beans first, cook the garbanzo's on low for about

Water requirements:

• Unsoaked beans: You need about 3 cups of water for each cup of dried, unsoaked garbanzo beans.
• Soaked beans: If you have soaked the garbanzo beans before cooking in the slow cooker, you will need the same ratio of dried beans to water as above. That is, 3 cups of water for each cup of dried beans (as measured before soaking).

If this is the first time you have used your slow-cooker for this, you may want to test your chickpeas after 2 and half hours for the right texture, I find some crock pots run hotter than others.  For my machine, I've find 3 hours is perfect.  

The above makes 5-6 cups of cooked chickpeas.  

Meal prep and planning

I will make a batch of beans or chickpeas on the weekend, separate the garbanzo beans into 1-½ cup or 2 cup bags and stash them in the freezer.

Most recipes will call for a can of beans. Memorize this! A standard 15 oz can of beans holds about 1-½cups.

Now you have chickpeas in the freezer in little bundles. Just the perfect amount to toss on a few salads for the workweek, or measured and ready to go when you need a cup or two for a recipe.

Other cooking methods

You also use the Instant Pot to cook dried garbanzo beans:

Cooking garbanzo beans in an Instant Pot:

For soaked beans: for every cup of beans add 1 cup of water. Cook on HIGH pressure for 12 minutes. Natural pressure release for 15 minutes.

For unsoaked beans: for every cup of beans add 2 cups of water. Cook on HIGH pressure for 50 minutes. Natural pressure release for 15 minutes.

📋 FAQs:

📖 Recipe

🍴Recipes to try with garbanzo beans

What to do with all these garbanzos now that you have them!? There are so many options.

Add them to salads! I take a fresh salad for lunch almost every day. Garbanzo beans or chickpeas are a great source of vegetarian protein.

Mash some up and make a sandwich

Roast some for a yummy snack...

Some of my favourite chickpea recipes:

• Easy Chickpea & Olive Pasta {Vegan}
• Roasted Chickpeas Potato bowls {Vegan}
• Chickpea Cacciatore {Vegan}
• Chickpea and Sun-dried Tomato Soup {Vegan}