Boiled Peanuts

These soft Boiled Peanuts are a simple and deliciously addictive Southern snack. You can serve them on game day, at backyard picnics or casual gatherings with friends and family. Stovetop and crockpot instructions included!

Easy Boiled Peanuts Recipe

Boiled peanuts can be found all throughout the South at roadside farm stands, general stores, farmer’s markets and mom and pop stores. They’re a bit of a delicacy and quite simple to make yourself. This recipe uses raw peanuts but green peanuts can also be used to make boiled peanuts. 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. How to make stovetop Boiled Peanuts: (This is a summary scroll down for the full printable recipe.)

• Clean the Peanuts – Sort through the raw peanuts and remove any empty shells, broken pieces or peanuts with blemishes. Rinse the remaining peanuts in cold water.
• Soak Overnight – Add raw peanuts to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt. Cover with water leaving at least 1 inch headspace. Stir to combine then let sit at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight. Weigh down with a plate on top to keep them submerged in the salted water.
• Drain and Rinse – 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 to fully cover. Stir to combine.
• Cook – Bring to a boil then lower the heat to medium-low. Cover and allow the raw peanuts to boil for 3 hours checking to add more water intermittently, as needed. (Green Peanuts: Check at 1 hour then continue to cook checking every 30 minutes for doneness. Green peanuts generally take 2-3 hours total.)
• 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, if the peanut is still crunchy continue to boil for another 1-2 hours or until they’re soft, but not mushy. Check every 30 minutes as the time could vary slightly depending on how vigorously the peanuts boil.
• Once done allow the peanuts to cool in the water for 1 hour then drain and serve.
• Store Boiled Peanuts well drained and chilled.
• Crockpot Instructions: Sort through the raw peanuts and remove any empty shells, broken pieces or peanuts with blemishes. Rinse the remaining peanuts in cold water.
• Add peanuts to a 6 quart or similar size slow cooker. Cover with water and add 1 cup salt. (No soaking required.)
• Lock lid in place and cook on High for 18-24 hours. Once done allow the peanuts to cool in the water for 1 hour then drain and serve.

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. It’s the same process when cooking dried beans, it improves the texture.
• Boiled peanuts should be soft but no 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 to cook so check them at 3 hours and green peanuts at 1 hour for doneness and adjust from that point.
• 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.
• 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 from the boiled peanuts before storing.

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.

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items:

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