Boiled Peanuts Recipe
This Boiled Peanuts Recipe is a true Southern classic and a comforting snack that’s all about sharing great flavors. It’s super easy to make with just grab peanuts, water, salt, and a little patience. Whether you’re chilling at a tailgate, having a cookout, or heading on a road trip, boiled peanuts are the perfect snack to have around.
As appetizer and snack recipes go, Southern-boiled peanuts are a staple in Georgia and are sold at roadside stands everywhere, especially in the summer and fall when the nuts are abundant. If you’re craving the unique snack but can’t find them, this recipe is for you.
I remember getting this warm bag of boiled peanuts – they smelled amazing. Cracking one open was a surprise, though. It wasn’t crunchy like regular peanuts, but soft and almost creamy. The taste was super salty and savory, and even though it was a little messy, I was hooked. They are nothing like roasted peanuts, but equally delicious and easy to make.
What are Boiled Peanuts?
Boiled peanuts are raw peanuts boiled in salty water until soft and tender. If you’re wondering what boiled peanuts taste like, they are totally different from regular peanuts. They’re salty, savory, and kinda earthy, with a soft, almost bean-like texture. It’s a Southern thing, and definitely a unique taste.
What are Green Peanuts?
Boiled peanuts are traditionally made with “green” peanuts, which are different from simply “raw” peanuts. Raw peanuts are air-dried and contain about 10% moisture, allowing for longer storage. Green peanuts, on the other hand, are freshly harvested and haven’t had any moisture removed, making them highly perishable and only available during harvest season. You can use either one to make these cooked nuts.
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Timesaving Tips and Variations
- Save time by buying pre-packaged raw peanuts in the shell that are already cleaned.
- Soaking and rinsing removes dirt and debris before cooking.
- How much salt for boiled peanuts is used is a personal preference; start with ¼ cup and adjust to taste halfway through cooking.
- Check for desired softness around 2 hours, as cooking time depends on personal preference. This is especially important if you are using green raw peanuts as they will cook faster.
- The cooked nuts are good for 7 to 10 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freeze well-wrapped boiled peanuts for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Try changing up the flavors with homemade seasonings.
- To make spicy boiled peanuts, add some of my Homemade Cajun Seasoning or use some Old Bay Seasoning.
- Add a dry barbecue spice mixture or taco seasoning to the nuts and water.
- To balance out the saltiness and to add a bit of tang, add a bit of apple cider vinegar to the water.
You can adjust seasonings and spices based on your personal preference to create endless variations of this Southern snack!
Can you Make Boiled Peanuts in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can and it’s just as easy as the stovetop method. Each method varies in time and process a bit.
Instant Pot: In the Instant Pot, combine washed peanuts, salt, and enough water to fully submerge the peanuts. Place the steamer rack over the peanuts to keep them submerged. Seal the lid and cook on Manual Pressure for 75 minutes, followed by a 30-minute natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
Slow Cooker: This is the longest time method to make this recipe. Place the nuts in the slow cooker. Add salt and cover the peanuts completely with water, ensuring about 2 inches of water above them. Cook on low for 18-24 hours (recommended) or on high for 10-12 hours. Check for tenderness after the initial cooking time and continue cooking as needed.
Other Nut Recipes to Enjoy
If you’re a fan of nuts, these recipes are a must-try! Packed with flavor and simple to prepare, they bring out the best of your favorite nuts in every bite.
- Homemade Pay Day Candy Bars
- Butter Pecan Muffins
- Turtle Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Spicy Honey Roasted Peanuts
These easy-to-make recipes are perfect for satisfying cravings for a quick snack or sweet treat.
Recommended Tools for Making Boiled Peanuts
These tools make it easy to cook perfect boiled peanuts every time, ensuring consistent texture, flavor, and seasoning with no guesswork.
- 6 Quart Dutch Oven
- Colander or Strainer
- Long-Handled Spoon
- Measuring cups
Having these essential tools on hand will significantly streamline your cooking process, making it faster and more efficient.
Ingredients
These simple ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, making them convenient for anyone to gather.
- Raw Peanuts In Shell
- Salt
- Water
How to Make Boiled Peanuts
Soak rinsed peanuts for 30 minutes. Drain and place in a large pot. Add salt and cover with 1 inch of water. Boil for 3 ½ hours (or until soft), adding water as needed.
Drain and serve. Hot or warm, the peanuts are best eaten right away. Throw them in a bowl or a paper bag, just like you’d get at a roadside stand. They can be a little messy, so grab some napkins. Just toss the shells when you’re done.
Bring the taste of the South to your kitchen! Print or save this recipe to make soon!
Printable Recipe Card
Boiled Peanuts Recipe
Equipment
- Colander or Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Raw peanuts in the shell (not green raw peanuts)
- ¼ cup salt
- water
Instructions
- Sort through peanuts: remove empty shells, pieces, or bad peanuts.
- Rinse the peanuts and soak them in cold water for 30 minutes.
- Drain the peanuts and add them to a 5-quart or larger pot.
- Sprinkle salt over the peanuts, then pour water until it covers the peanuts by about an inch.
- Set to medium-high heat and boil for 3 ½ hours, or until desired softness is reached
- Add more water periodically during boiling to prevent the water from getting too low and causing burning.
- Drain and enjoy
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
2025 Alphabet Challenge – “B”
In creating this post, I am sharing it in the 2025 Alphabet Challenge in which fellow foodies will share recipes with the letters of the alphabet. Every other week, we spotlight a letter and the culinary wonders it inspires. Today is “B” and I’m sharing a classic Southern snack. Here is what the others are sharing. To see all the recipes I have shared so far in this challenge, go here. See all the recipes I shared last year, HERE.
- Culinary Cam: A Belated Birthday Bûche De Noël (Yule Log)
- Mayuri’s Jikoni: Barley Salad
- Sneha’s Recipe: Bhune Mutton Paya
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Black Bean Sweet Potato Skillet
- Food Lust People Love: Blistered Snap Peas
- A Messy Kitchen: Blueberry Basil Cocktail/Mocktail
- Magical Ingredients: Buffalo Cauliflower Paneer Dip
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Chocolate Espresso Rainbow Brownie Cookies
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Coconut Brigadeiros
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: White Bean and Basil Salad
Enjoy!
We received a can of boiled peanuts as a host gift during the holidays. It was my first experience and now I am hooked.
Homemade is even better since you can add different seasonings, spices and more or less salt!
I had boiled peanuts on a trip down to Florida many years ago. Those and peanuts dropped into Coke were my favorite two things out of that whole trip!
Okay, I’ve not dropped them in Coke before…may have to try that!
Ooooh, I’ve heard of boiled peanuts many times but never gotten to try them! Thanks for the great description! I was wondering how the texture would differ.
It’s an acquired taste but they are yummy!