Boiled Peanuts

These Southern Boiled Peanuts can be made on the stovetop or in a crockpot, for an easy and additive classic salty snack! You can serve them on game day, at backyard picnics or casual gatherings with friends and family.

Easy Boiled Peanuts Recipe

What are boiled peanuts? In short they’re shelled raw peanuts boiled in salted water. Boiled peanuts are a classic snack that can be found all throughout the South at roadside farm stands, general stores, farmer’s markets and mom and pop stores. They’re a salty snack that people like to enjoy with a soda or a cold beer. Peanuts that are boiled won’t have the same texture as roasted peanuts. Boiling them gives them a moist and soft texture not at all like the crunch of roasted nuts which only retains about 10% of their moisture content after roasting. This recipe uses raw peanuts, but green peanuts can also be boiled, although the technique is slightly different. How to make stovetop Boiled Peanut Recipe: (This is a summary scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Clean the Peanuts – Sort through the peanuts and rinse in cold water.
• Soak Overnight – Add raw peanuts to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt. Cover with water. Stir, then top with a plate. Let sit at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight.
• Drain and Rinse the Peanuts – Drain the peanuts and rinse using cold water.
• Transfer to a Large Pot – Add them to a 6-quart or larger boiling pot or dutch oven.
• Salt – Sprinkle the reserved salt over the top of the peanuts and then pour water over the peanuts using enough water to fully cover. Stir to combine.
• Cook – Bring to a boil then lower the heat to medium-low and let the peanuts simmer. Cover and allow the raw peanuts to boil per the recipe, checking to add more water as needed.
• Remove Shell and Check Doneness – Remove one peanut from the pot and let it cool just enough to handle and remove the shell. Taste and check the texture
• Cool – Once done allow the peanuts to cool in the water for 1 hour then drain and serve or pop into the fridge to chill.
• See Cook’s Note for how to make Boiled Peanuts in a Crockpot.  

How to Make the BEST Boiled Peanuts Recipe

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Boiled Peanuts: Two pounds raw peanuts in the shell or three pounds green peanuts, kosher salt or sea salt and water.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: A large 6 quart stock pot or dutch oven, large spoon and measuring cups.
• The amount of salt is subjective and will vary widely from person to person. Starting with 1 cup is ideal. Halfway through cooking, taste a peanut, and if you would like more salt, you can add more then.
• Soaking and rinsing the peanuts shortens the cooking time and makes for a more tender peanut texture. It’s the same process when cooking dried beans, it improves the texture.
• What’s the difference between green peanuts and raw peanuts? Green peanuts are freshly harvested peanuts that haven’t been dehydrated. On the other hand, raw peanuts are also uncooked but have been dried and dehydrated and must be rehydrated before boiling hence the difference in the two techniques.
• Why are my boiled peanuts mushy? Boiled peanuts should be soft, but not mushy. If they’re mushy, they’re overcooked.
• The preferred texture and softness level can vary from person to person. Raw peanuts will take longer than green peanuts to cook so check them at 3 hours, and green peanuts at 1 hour, for doneness and adjust from that point.
• Variations: You can season boiled peanuts with all kinds of different spices to change the flavor profile. You can add paprika, cayenne pepper, cajun seasoning or creole seasoning, old bay seasoning or barbecue seasoning to the cooking liquid. You could add onion powder, Italian herbs and seasonings, granulated garlic or garlic powder. Create your own flavor blend using teriyaki sauce, honey and ginger for an Asian twist. You can experiment and adjust the amounts according to your personal preference. No matter how they’re seasoned you’re bound to return to the bowl over and over again! 
• Spicy Boiled Peanuts: You can also add crushed red pepper flakes, chopped jalapeños, chipotle chiles or any other chiles that you enjoy for a spicy kick. Just stir into the cooking liquid for the flavor to infuse while they boil.
• When making Use a large pot. This is imperative to allow room for the peanuts to fully submerge and not boil over.
• It’s important you do not turn up the stove to as high as it will go or you will risk burning your peanuts before they’re done.
• Storage and Leftovers: Boiled peanuts can be stored in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make a point to drain them well to remove any excess water before storing.
• Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing Southern Boiled Peanuts.

More Recipes Using Peanuts to Make

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie is for chocolate peanut butter lovers of all ages.
• Microwave Peanut Brittle comes together in no time flat.
• Chocolate drizzled Peanut Butter Balls.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Haystacks are a no bake sweet and salty treat.
• Easy 3 ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (5 if you dip them in chocolate and sprinkle with peanuts!)
• These Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies are a fan favorite!
• Toffee Peanut Clusters are simply addictive.
• Georgia Peanut Pie from Southern Living.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Dutch Oven
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls
• 6 Quart Crockpot