Amazing Spanish Soup With Chickpeas

Spanish soup recipes have been nourishing families in Southern Spain for generations, providing all sorts of meals and food items that are both flavorful and satisfying. 

The Spanish soup with chickpeas is a wonderful dish that combines a wide variety of vegetables and aromatic spices, offering a burst of flavor with every spoonful.

Read this article to get all of the information needed to prepare this recipe from scratch, with some expert tips for storing, serving, and customizing the ingredients of this soup.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish soup recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Spanish chorizo stew

• Gluten-free chicken noodle soup

• Cuban garbanzo bean soup

Background of the Dish

Similar to other Spanish chickpea recipes, this one too had its origin centuries ago alongside other legume-based soups, such as the timeless classic Spanish bean tomato soup.

They were developed as a way to combat the cold Andalusian winters, but over time they became a staple dish, enjoyed all year round no matter what the weather is like outside.

You can find Spanish soup with chickpeas at almost any restaurant in Southern Spain, but if you keep reading this article you will be able to make it and enjoy it at home.

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Things You’ll Need for Spanish Soup With Chickpeas

To make this recipe you will need chickpeas, broth, onion, garlic cloves, celery stalks, bell peppers, tomatoes, and olive oil as the main ingredients.

The only equipment needed to make this Spanish soup with chickpeas is a large pot to cook everything on.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (400gr each) cooked chickpeas
• 6 cups (1.5l) vegetable broth
• 1 can (400gr) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

How to Make Spanish Soup With Chickpeas – Step by Step Guide

1. For the first step in this garbanzo soup recipe, you have to peel and chop the bell peppers, onion, carrot, and celery stalks into small pieces. Also, peel and mince the garlic cloves. 

2. Now, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, for about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. After that, you have to add the rest of the veggies. Stir in the diced carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook everything for 7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

4. In the meantime, open the cans with the chickpeas, rinse them under cold water, and drain them. Set them aside.

5. Then, add the smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices.

6. To continue with this Spanish soup recipe, pour in the drained and rinsed chickpeas, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes. 

7. Now, bring the Spanish garbanzo bean soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.

8. Do a taste test in this soup with chickpeas, and adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper to taste as needed.

9. To finish this recipe, simply pour the Spanish soup with chickpeas into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. You can copy the ham chickpea soup or the Spanish chickpea and chorizo soup and add those ingredients as the toppings for this soup.

Substitution of Ingredients

The Spanish soup with chickpeas is a super complete dish that highlights different regional ingredients from Southern Spain, still, you can add your input with some replacements.

In this recipe for Spanish soup, you can play with the vegetables that you use, or add some meat such as chorizo, diced ham, or shredded chicken to make it even heartier and more satisfying.

Just like with other soup recipes with chickpeas, one substitution you can make is replacing the chickpeas with another legume, and the soup would have a similar flavor profile to the Spanish baked bean soup or Spanish pea soup.

Besides that, to make it a spicy chickpea soup, you can add ingredients like red chili flakes, cayenne pepper, jalapeños, or hot paprika to give it an extra kick.

For a creamier Spanish soup with chickpeas, simply add 1/2 cup of heavy cream in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Tips on Serving Spanish Soup With Chickpeas

The Spanish soup with chickpeas is a delicious Andalusian dish, commonly served as a comforting meal on cool evenings or as a hearty starter during festive gatherings and celebrations.

When considering various ways to serve Spanish soup with chickpeas, the best approach is to draw inspiration from other authentic Spanish soup recipes.

For instance, you might take inspiration from a classic glass noodle soup and pair this dish with a serving of your favorite cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, angel hair, or any other variety you prefer.

Another alternative is to copy other classics such as the Spanish bacon bean soup or the Spanish bean soup with chorizo.

You can enhance this soup by serving it with cooked bacon or chorizo, adding an extra layer of heartiness and flavor to the dish.

How to Store Spanish Soup With Chickpeas

Once you finish preparing the Spanish soup with chickpeas, allow it to cool to room temperature, and then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container.

Then, you will be able to store the soup in the fridge for 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months, ensuring you have a nourishing and flavorful option on hand for busy days or when you need a quick meal solution.

To reheat the Spanish soup with chickpeas, simply transfer the desired amount to a pot and gently heat it on the stove over medium heat until it’s heated through (add a splash of water or broth if needed to adjust the consistency.).

Are you looking for more dishes that you can store for later?

If so, you are more than welcome to check out some of our Spanish soup recipes, including the comforting leek and butternut squash soup, the flavorful Spanish leek and celery soup, or the classic chicken soup without noodles.

Recipe Card: Spanish Soup With Chickpeas

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