Spicy Chickpea Stew (Printable Version)

Tender chickpeas simmered with aromatic spices, vegetables, and tomatoes for a comforting plant-based meal.

# What You Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 carrots, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Finishing Touches

18 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced bell pepper. Sauté for another 3–4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground turmeric, chili flakes, and ground cinnamon to the pot. Cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute until the spices release their aromas.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, then add diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
06 - Remove the lid and continue simmering uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to thicken the broth and concentrate flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Remove the bay leaf. Stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh cilantro or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Transfer the stew to serving bowls and serve hot, optionally accompanied by crusty bread or rice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those nights when you're hungry and tired of waiting.
  • The spices transform humble canned chickpeas into something so comforting and deeply satisfying that nobody misses the meat.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, which means you're basically winning at meal prep without trying.
02 -
  • Rinsing your canned chickpeas is not optional—the starches in that liquid will muddy your stew and make it taste metallic if you skip this step.
  • The spices need heat to release their flavors, so blooming them in the hot oil for that full minute actually changes the entire character of the dish; rushing this will leave you with a flat-tasting stew.
03 -
  • If your stew ends up too thin, let it simmer uncovered for longer to reduce the liquid; if it's too thick, add broth a splash at a time until you reach the consistency you want.
  • Make this in a Dutch oven if you have one—it distributes heat more evenly and feels like you're cooking something special even though you're really just making dinner.
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