Chickpea Recipes Crock Pot Vegetarian Meals Made Easy

Chickpeas are a beloved staple in vegetarian cooking, known for their versatility, hearty texture, and impressive nutritional profile. When it comes to making delicious and convenient meals, crock pot recipes featuring chickpeas are unbeatable.

They allow you to set it and forget it, while the slow cooking process infuses flavors deeply and tenderizes chickpeas perfectly. Whether you’re a busy professional, a meal-prep enthusiast, or simply someone who loves wholesome vegetarian dishes, crock pot chickpea recipes will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen.

In this blog post, not only will you discover a fantastic slow-cooker chickpea stew, but you’ll also find two more creative vegetarian crock pot recipes that highlight chickpeas in unique ways. These recipes are packed with fresh veggies, aromatic spices, and comforting textures, making them ideal for any season.

Plus, they’re easy to customize, budget-friendly, and perfect for family dinners or meal prepping for the week. Let’s dive into these hearty, wholesome, and satisfying chickpea crock pot vegetarian recipes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These chickpea crock pot recipes are the epitome of easy, nutritious, and flavorful vegetarian meals. The slow cooker does all the hard work, melding spices and ingredients beautifully while freeing up your time.

Chickpeas provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, keeping you full and satisfied.

Each recipe offers a different flavor profile — from Mediterranean-inspired stews to Indian-spiced curries — so you can keep your meals exciting without extra effort. These dishes also reheat well, making them perfect for lunches or leftovers.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to add more meatless meals to your rotation, these crock pot chickpea recipes are sure to become favorites.

Ingredients

Chickpea & Vegetable Crock Pot Stew

• 2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight) or 4 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Tagine

• 3 cups cooked chickpeas (or two 15 oz cans, drained)
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Indian Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

• 3 cups cooked chickpeas (or two 15 oz cans)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped or 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or mustard oil preferred)

Equipment

• Crock pot / Slow cooker (at least 4-quart capacity)
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Colander (for rinsing chickpeas and vegetables)
• Can opener (if using canned ingredients)

Instructions

Chickpea & Vegetable Crock Pot Stew

1. Prepare the chickpeas. If using dried chickpeas, soak overnight and rinse well. If using canned, simply drain and rinse.
2. Sauté aromatics. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add vegetables and spices. Transfer sautéed onion and garlic to the crock pot along with carrots, celery, red bell pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, and broth. Mix all ingredients well and pour in vegetable broth.
5. Cook on low. Cover and cook for 7-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high until chickpeas are tender and flavors meld.
6. Add spinach and finish. Stir in fresh spinach about 15 minutes before serving until wilted.
7. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and enjoy with crusty bread or over rice.

Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Tagine

1. Combine all ingredients. Place chickpeas, sweet potato, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, dried apricots, salt, and pepper into the crock pot.
2. Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until sweet potatoes are tender and flavors are well blended.
3. Garnish. Stir gently and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
4. Serve warm. This tagine pairs beautifully with couscous, quinoa, or flatbreads.

Indian Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

1. Heat oil. In a skillet, warm oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds.
2. Sauté aromatics. Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the skillet and cook until golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes and spices. Stir in tomatoes, garam masala, turmeric, coriander powder, chili powder, and salt. Cook until tomatoes break down and mixture thickens.
4. Transfer to crock pot. Pour the spiced tomato mixture into the crock pot. Add chickpeas and water or broth.
5. Cook. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours to allow flavors to meld.
6. Adjust seasoning. Check salt and spice levels before serving.
7. Garnish and serve. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with basmati rice or naan bread.

Tips & Variations

“If you’re short on time, canned chickpeas are a great shortcut without sacrificing flavor or texture.”

For even richer flavor, try toasting your spices in a dry skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This releases aromatic oils that enhance the dish.

Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or kale depending on what’s in season or what you have on hand. For a creamier texture, stir in coconut milk or a dollop of yogurt just before serving.

If you prefer a bit of heat, add chopped fresh chilies or a splash of hot sauce to any of these recipes. You can also swap out chickpeas for other legumes like lentils or black beans for a different twist.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

These chickpea crock pot dishes are wonderfully versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Try spooning the stew or curry over fluffy basmati rice, warm quinoa, or creamy mashed potatoes.

Pair with warm flatbreads like naan or pita for dipping and scooping. For a fresh touch, add a side salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette.

If you want to add some protein variety, consider topping with crumbled paneer, Greek yogurt, or even a fried egg for extra richness.

For more vegetarian inspiration, check out our Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe or explore healthy protein-packed options like the Bariatric Meatloaf Recipe (vegetarian adaptations can be made!). Want to spice up your condiments?

Try the Pickled Cherry Pepper Recipe for a tangy kick.

Conclusion

Chickpeas are a powerhouse ingredient for any vegetarian kitchen, especially when paired with the convenience of a crock pot. These recipes demonstrate how simple ingredients can transform into deeply flavorful, healthy meals with minimal effort.

From the comforting vegetable stew to the aromatic Moroccan tagine and vibrant Indian curry, there’s something here to suit every palate and occasion.

Slow cooking not only saves you time but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in dishes that taste like they’ve been simmering for hours. Plus, these meals are perfect for batch cooking and reheating, helping you maintain a nutritious and satisfying diet throughout the week.

Grab your crock pot and some chickpeas, and start creating these delicious vegetarian meals today!

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