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Welcome to your new favorite comfort dish: Garlic Chickpea Soup! This simple and flavorful recipe combines wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, garlic, and your choice of vegetables. It’s warm, satisfying, and packed with nutrition. Perfect for any day of the week, it’s a breeze to make. In this post, I’ll guide you through each step, share tips, and explore tasty variations. Let’s dive into this cozy bowl of goodness!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Nutritious and Satisfying: This soup is packed with protein from chickpeas and is loaded with vegetables, making it a hearty and healthy option.
- Easy to Prepare: With just a few simple steps and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful Garlic Goodness: The combination of garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika creates a rich and aromatic flavor profile that is irresistible.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables or spices to make this soup your own!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
– Chickpeas: I use two cans of chickpeas for this soup. They add protein and fiber. Make sure to drain and rinse them well.
– Garlic: Six cloves of garlic give this soup a bold flavor. I prefer to mince it finely for the best taste.
– Onion: A medium onion, chopped, adds sweetness and depth. It forms the base of our flavor.
Additional Ingredients
– Carrots: I dice two medium carrots. They add color and natural sweetness to the soup.
– Celery: Two celery stalks, diced, bring a fresh crunch. They balance the soup’s flavors nicely.
– Spices and Seasoning: I use one teaspoon of cumin and smoked paprika. These spices add warmth and depth. Don’t forget salt and pepper to taste.
Optional Garnishes
– Fresh parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a bright touch and freshness. It’s a simple but effective garnish.
– Olive oil drizzle: A drizzle of olive oil enhances the soup’s richness. It also adds a nice finish.
These ingredients combine to create a rich and comforting garlic chickpea soup. Each element plays a key role in making this dish both simple and flavorful.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Steps
– Sautéing the vegetables
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté these vegetables for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want them to be soft and aromatic.
– Adding garlic and spices
After the vegetables soften, stir in the minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook this mixture for another 2 minutes. The garlic will release a lovely smell that fills your kitchen.
Cooking Process
– Combining chickpeas and broth
Now, it’s time to add the drained chickpeas and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. This helps the flavors blend nicely.
– Simmering the soup
Let the soup simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together and creates a rich taste. Stir occasionally to keep everything mixed.
Blending and Final Touches
– Using an immersion blender
After simmering, take your immersion blender and purée the soup until smooth. If you like some chunks, blend only half and mix it back in. This gives the soup a nice texture.
– Stirring in spinach and seasoning
Next, stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. The soup is now ready to serve!
Tips & Tricks
Enhancing Flavor
To boost the taste of your garlic chickpea soup, use spices like thyme, oregano, or cayenne pepper. These spices add depth and warmth. You can also try fresh herbs like basil for a bright note.
Homemade broth is a game changer. It brings fresh taste and richness. If you don’t have time, store-bought broth works too. Just choose low-sodium options to control salt levels.
Improving Texture
You can choose between a chunky or smooth soup. For a chunky soup, blend only half of the mixture. This keeps some chickpeas whole for texture. If you want it smooth, blend all of it until creamy.
When blending, use an immersion blender for quick results. It’s easy and keeps cleanup simple. For a traditional blender, let the soup cool slightly before blending. This prevents splatters and burns.
Serving Suggestions
This soup pairs well with crusty bread. A slice of sourdough or whole-grain bread makes a great match. You can also serve it with a fresh salad for a light meal.
Consider side dishes like roasted vegetables or a grain salad. Quinoa or brown rice adds heartiness to your meal. These options round out the dish and make it even more satisfying.
Pro Tips
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the soup a more vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced or jarred garlic.
- Customize Texture: For a heartier soup, blend only half and leave the rest chunky to add some texture.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with different herbs like thyme or basil to personalize the flavor profile of your soup.
- Storage Tips: This soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months, making it a great meal prep option.

Variations
When making garlic chickpea soup, you can easily switch up a few things. Different beans can add variety. If you want, use black beans or white beans instead of chickpeas. Each bean gives a new taste and texture.
You can also add other vegetables. Try zucchini, bell peppers, or even sweet potatoes. These will change the soup’s flavor and boost nutrition. Just chop them small and add them when you sauté the onions and carrots.
For flavor variations, think about spices. You can add more cumin for warmth or chili powder for heat. A pinch of cinnamon adds depth and surprises the taste buds.
You might enjoy a creamier soup. Stir in a splash of coconut milk or some cashew cream. This makes the soup rich and smooth. You can also top it with yogurt or a dollop of sour cream.
If you need vegan and gluten-free options, you’re in luck! This soup is already vegan. Just make sure your broth is gluten-free. Many store-bought vegetable broths are safe. Check the label to be sure.
For dairy-free garnishes, use fresh herbs like cilantro or basil. These add freshness without dairy. A squeeze of lemon also brightens the soup and adds a nice zip.
Feel free to mix and match these ideas. The soup’s base is flexible, so have fun with it!
Storage Info
Refrigeration
To store leftovers, let the soup cool down first. Pour it into an airtight container. Seal it well before placing it in the fridge. This keeps the soup fresh and tasty. The shelf life is about 3 to 5 days. After that, the flavor and texture may change.
Freezing Instructions
For freezing, use a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top. The soup may expand as it freezes. You can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove over low heat. Stir it often to keep it from burning.
Meal Prep Ideas
Making ahead is easy with this soup. You can cook a big batch on the weekend. Portion it into smaller containers for grab-and-go meals. This saves time on busy days. It’s a great way to eat healthy without hassle.
FAQs
What can I use instead of chickpeas?
You can use other beans if you want. Black beans or white beans work well. They add great taste and texture. You can also try lentils as a substitute. Lentils cook faster and give a nice flavor. Just remember to adjust cooking times when using lentils.
Can I make this soup spicy?
Yes, you can add heat to this soup. Try adding red pepper flakes for a quick kick. You can also use fresh chili peppers for a bold flavor. Another option is to add a dash of hot sauce. Just be careful and add a little at a time to control the heat.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
This soup is perfect for meal prep. You can easily portion it out for the week. Store it in airtight containers for best results. For freezing, let it cool completely before putting it in the freezer. It lasts up to three months frozen. To reheat, just thaw it overnight and warm it on the stove.
This blog post covered the key ingredients to make a great soup. We explored main ingredients, like chickpeas, garlic, and onion, plus a few extra veggies. I provided step-by-step cooking instructions, tips for flavor, and variations to fit your taste. You can store leftovers for later or try different spices for some kick.
Remember, this soup is easy to make and customize. Enjoy your cooking and happy eatin
Garlic Chickpea Soup
A hearty and flavorful soup made with chickpeas, garlic, and fresh vegetables.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- to taste salt and pepper
- for garnish fresh parsley, chopped
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
Add the drained chickpeas and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Allow the soup to simmer for about 15-20 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and mix it back in.
Stir in the fresh spinach and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach has wilted.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
For a creamier texture, blend more of the soup.
Keyword chickpeas, garlic, soup, vegetarian
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