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posted by Amy Johnsonon July 1, 2015 (updated Feb 5, 2019) 68 comments »
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Boiled Peanuts are a traditional Southern snack that are easy to make at home.
I want to share something with you that I’ve enjoyed since I was a wee little: boiled peanuts. Before you go running off in horror, just bear with me. I know it may sound odd to those who’ve never enjoyed them before. I get that. But really, if you’ve never tried them, you’ve got to at least once.
Growing up in South Carolina it never occurred to me that Boiled Peanuts were not a national food. You can imagine how surprised I was to find that my husband, who’s from neighboring North Carolina, had not had them until we met in college. He’d also never seen Grease or The Wizard of Oz. That’s another story for another day. But really, North Carolina? No boiled peanuts? How very sad.
If you can’t find a local establishment to sell you a paper bag full of Boiled Peanuts, they are super easy to make right at home. I wouldn’t say they are quick, but they are easy. They do take a while to boil to the correct doneness but don’t let that keep you making a big batch. When prepared correctly, they really are a treat, not to mention sneaky addictive.
Boiled Peanuts recipe notes:
- Some recommend soaking the raw peanuts for several hours (6-8) in salted water to reduce cooking time. I’ve never soaked them myself but if you have time, and plan ahead, give it a go.
- To begin the cooking process, fill a large stock pot with water, add salt and bring to a boil then add the peanuts.
- If you don’t soak them, the peanut will want to float a bit. Stir them around a few times. They’ll eventually settle down.
- Cook time will vary depending on the amount of peanuts you’re cooking. Cooktime could be up to 8 hours.
- Be sure to keep checking the progress every hour or so. What you’re looking for is a totally soft peanut. Some like it a little less “done” or al dente if you will. I like them soft.You may need to add water throughout the cook time to make sure that there’s always enough water in the pot to cover the peanuts and then some wiggle room.
- An outdoor gas cooker/turkey fryer is perfect for boiling peanuts.
Boiled Peanuts Recipe
Boiled Peanuts Recipe
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Make this Southern delicacy right at home.
Ingredients
- 4 quarts of water
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 pounds of raw peanuts (or green* peanuts)
Instructions
- In a large stock pot bring the water and salt to boil.
- Add the peanuts and stir to “settle” peanuts. Cover and reduce to a slow boil/simmer.
- Check water level every hour and taste for doneness. Add more salt if desired. Cook for about 3 hours and check for preferred doneness. Add more time as needed. Total cook time may be up to 6-8 hours.
Notes
*If you use green peanuts (peanuts fresh from the field that haven’t been dried) the cook time may be shorter.
Did you make this recipe?
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Originally posted March 21, 2010. Updated July 1, 2015.
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Appetizers
originally published on July 1, 2015 (last updated Feb 5, 2019)
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68 comments on “Boiled Peanuts Recipe”
Jessica —Reply
Your hubby must’ve had his head stuck in the sand. My grandparents were from North Carolina and would spend several months per year there and always bring back at least 1/2 black trash bag of green peanuts for boiling up. It was a favorite seasonal treat.
Sherry —Reply
I’m from Eastern NC and we always have boiled peanuts in the fall. In fact just got peanuts from the field and was looking for a recipe when I saw this!
Amy Johnson —
Great to hear it, Sherry!
Tammy Taylor —Reply
TOTALLY disagree about NC. I SPENT MY LIFE THERE, AND BOILED PEANUTS WERE ABUNDANT IN FALL AND WINTER. NEVER MET ANYONE WHO HAD NEVER HEARD OF THEM…FROM THE COAST TO THE MOUNTAINS!
Hailey —Reply
Hello, I have never made these before. In fact I’ve never even heard of them before. My husband is from the south and I always try to find new recipes that he might enjoy from “Back home” (we live in the north now). Do you make these with the shell on or off? All the pictures have shells but the only raw peanuts I am finding for sale near me are without the shell unless I buy 75lbs! I am assuming you serve them out of water. Do you let them dry off and eat them as you would regular peanuts? Also, how do you store them when you are done? Do they need to be refrigerated? Thank you!
Tina —Reply
I am from florida and make my own also but I now live in Indiana where I haven’t been able to find green peanuts so I’ve used the raw still good but not as good as the green one’s I grow up on. I buy a bunch when I am home visiting and bring back boil and freeze they still don’t last all year they are gone in 4 months-LOL
Ashley Noel —Reply
Hi!! I’m from Southern Louisiana and I LOVE boiled peanuts. But, It’s my 1st time boiling them myself. I’ve followed your instructions and have stirred them (for quite a while now) to get them to settle but they’re NOT settling down. Is it still ok to go ahead and put the lid on and keep checking every hour or so, or should I keep stirring until they FINALLY settle????
Amy Johnson —
I apologize for the late reply, Ashley. Did they turn out okay?
Phillip —Reply
I have to admit, I’m a northerner, but I’ve done my share of traveling in the South. I’ve never noticed boiled peanuts. My first though is, peanuts are so delicious and easy to eat as is, why go to all that trouble and waiting? That said, I’d be willing to try them and see what all the fuss is about.
Sarah —
Although peanuts are delicious and easy to eat as is boiled peanuts are on a completely different level of delicious. I hope you gave them a try!
Kate —Reply
Your recipe is perfect. The results I had were just like what I remember as a child.
My mom’s side of the family is from southeastern North Carolina and I remember coming home from holidays with bags of frozen boiled peanuts, among other delicious fresh frozen produce from the farms and gardens around there. So when my husband came home with four pounds of dried peanuts that he thought were already edible, my memories kicked in.
There are a lot of recipes out there but the one I remember is just like yours – very simple – just salt and not too much. I recall trying another recipe a few years ago and the peanuts were good but too salty. And the ones street side or at gas stations are way too salty and often seasoned with too many ingredients for my taste. The salt ratio for this recipe is just right.
Amy Johnson —
I’m glad this recipe worked for you, Kate. It’s such a nostalgic food for our family.
Amy DeWitt —Reply
I’m still laughing at “he’s never seen Grease or the
“Wizard of Oz” and I’m from North Carolina! My grandfather was a Tobacco farmer and farmed vegetables, raised pigs and cows too! He absolutely loved boiled peanuts and as such I do too! I never saw him cook anything until my Granny passed and he cooked himself a catfish and I had arrived to visit with my family and he had left what he didn’t eat on the back porch! I almost pucked and my then husband said it’s just a catfish! It was truly the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen! However he often boiled his own peanuts! He grew them and occasionally chose to boil them! My Granny was a fantastic cook so idk he had his reasons I’m sure! I married a “yankee” who was mortified that anyone would ever boil peanuts much less eat them boiled! Of Course he hated coleslaw because of the mayo, until he discovered Carolina Barbecue and the “Carolina coleslaw”, I’m also named Amy! Lol
I’m getting ready to make my first batch of boiled peanuts! I chose your recipe for the reviews! I’m sure now it was God and my Grandpa that had the decision! Thank you for the laughs as well as the recipe! I live alone and both my sons passed away in the last 8 years after my 25 year marriage ended! I’m a pretty good baker (Granny did that) but I’m still learning the cooking thing especially for 1.
I will post my results regardless if I fail or not lol 😂 I had to text my mom to ask what a Stock Pot is! 😉🤣🤭🙋♀️🤐Amy Johnson —
Love hearing your stories, Amy! Thank you so much for sharing. How did the peanuts turn out?
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