Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (2024)

Hot Boiled Peanuts are a traditional Southern snack perfect for football games and fall drives! This easy version lets the slow cooker do all the hard work!

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (1)

Growing up, as soon as the weather started turning a little bit colder, my Daddy was ready to drive up into the North Georgia mountains for the weekend. Sometimes, my Grandparents would come along with us because he knew that they loved the mountains as much as he did.

Grandmother would make a breakfast for us to take along with us on the trip. Big, delicious biscuits filled with either sausage or bacon or sometimes tenderloin. The idea of stopping by a drive through restaurant never occurred to us. There simply wasn’t one in our small town back then.

She would also bring along a small cooler packed with Coca-Colas in the bottle, some Ginger Ale, grapes and apples, and zip top bags filled with wet washcloths in case anyone got queasy on the curvy roads during our trip. Next came the pillows and quilts and the notebooks she always brought along to record tidbits about the trip or things that she saw along the way. An extra notebook and pencils were included to play games with me and my sister during our trip as well.

Daddy would always be ready to go early in the morning so we could reach the mountains before too late in the day.

I remember rounding one winding road on trip after trip and seeing the roadside stand set up with large, wooden handpainted signs that read, “Boiled Peanuts.” Now, any kind of peanut has always been a favorite of my Mama’s, but boiled peanuts were my Daddy’s all time favorite. I would think we were about to pull in to buy a few styrofoam cups filled with these warm delicious little nibbles when Daddy would say, “No, this isn’t the good boiled peanut spot. Our spot is on a little farther.”

I started thinking about what made Daddy say that the other day and figured out that you can have good boiled peanuts and then you can have GOOD boiled peanuts. There is a difference. This recipe is for the GOOD kind with the perfect balance of salty brininess and well-cooked peanuts, but you don’t have to drive to the North Georgia mountains to get them.

My family’s love for boiled peanuts has now passed along to Little Buddy. When we made these, I taught him how to make them, too.

Here’s how we make them.

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (2)

Start with about 3 pounds of green peanuts and put them in your slow cooker.

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (3)

Pour in salt. Just regular salt is fine.

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (4)

Then pour water over them until they are covered. This took about 6 cups of water for me.

Now, set your slow cooker for 12 hours and just let them go. You may want to check them about halfway during their cooking to make sure you don’t need to add more water.

After the 12 hours of cooking, leave them in the slow cooker in the brine water for another 9-12 hours or so. This makes them the GOOD kind in my family’s book.

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (5)

To serve your peanuts, dip out a serving and strain away the brine. Place them into a cup or bowl and serve with plenty of napkins.

Boiled peanuts are great for tailgating, game day festivities, or Fall camping trips! Start your peanuts well in advance to make sure they are done in time for the big game. Then, just serve them straight from your slow cooker to keep them warm!

Here’s my Boiled Peanuts Recipe. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does!

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Boiled Peanuts Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 3 votes

Boiled Peanuts are a favorite southern treat! Get this delicious, easy boiled peanuts recipe that you’ll love!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 day day

Total Time: 1 day day 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds green peanuts
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 6 cups water

Instructions

  • Rinse peanuts until the water runs clear.

  • Place into slow cooker. Add in salt and pour in water.

  • Cook for 12 hours on high setting, checking occasionally to add more water if needed.

  • Turn slow cooker to warm setting and allow to sit in slow cooker for another 9-12 hours.

  • Serve straight from the slow cooker to keep warm, straining off brine and pouring into cups or bowls.

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 2364mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (12)

Originally published September 2011.

Categorized as:All Recipes, Appetizers, Camping, Cooking, Game Day Recipes, Recipes, Simple Recipes, Snacks, Southern Favorites

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

Read more about Robyn

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to soak raw peanuts before boiling? ›

Use a large dinner plate to help submerge the floating peanuts. Soak peanuts 8 hours or overnight. (This step saves a little time boiling, but if you don't have the luxury of soaking time, you can skip it.)

Why do Southerners boil peanuts? ›

But most agree that the practice of boiling peanuts originated in Africa and was introduced to American Southern culture by slaves, as the South is where the peanut crop flourished. Boiling was a clever and delicious way to enjoy the fresh-harvested or “green” peanuts that were not yet dry enough to roast.

Why put vinegar in boiled peanuts? ›

Made from sugar, fermented apples, and yeast, the vinegar adds a sweet, tangy flavor to the peanuts. The acid provides balance to the savory spices that have already been added, transforming the peanuts into a well-rounded, flavorful snack with depth. Read ahead to learn how to make the perfect pot of boiled peanuts.

How do you keep boiled peanuts from getting slimy? ›

Boiled peanuts can get slimy if they're overcooked or sit in the brine for too long. Ensure you cook the peanuts just until tender and then drain them shortly after cooling to avoid them getting soggy.

Why are my boiled peanuts not getting soft? ›

Boil the peanuts for at least three hours. After three hours, take out a peanut and try it – if it's not soft enough, keep boiling until the desired softness is reached. If you like melt-in-your-mouth boiled peanuts, you may prefer to boil them all day.

How do you know when boiled peanuts are done? ›

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until peanuts have softened to your preferred consistency, 2 to 3 hours if you were able to soak peanuts, 5 to 6 hours if not. Check peanuts after 2 hours to sample their texture and salinity.

Why are boiled peanuts good for you? ›

“They are extremely beneficial because they have carbohydrates, good fats, proteins and fibre as well,” she told indianexpress.com. Nutritious and packed with antioxidants, boiled peanuts are an excellent source of energy. “A half cup of boiled peanuts contains approximately 286 calories with no cholesterol.

Are you supposed to eat the shell of boiled peanuts? ›

There's nothing wrong with eating peanut shells, but some might argue that you're better off getting your roughage from leafy greens. We suggest pulling those shells apart and sucking out the kernels (along with all of their delicious, briny liquor) for the best boiled peanut experience.

Can you overcook boiled peanuts? ›

Can you overcook Boiled Peanuts? Unfortunately, you can definitely overcook boiled peanuts. Overcooked boiled peanuts tend to turn out mushy, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully and not cook them longer than recommended in your instant pot.

Why are my boiled peanuts mushy? ›

If the boiled peanuts you had were mushy and difficult to remove from the shells, then they were overcooked. If they were slimy, then they were spoiled. Salt water is not slimy. Fresh boiled peanuts are not slimy.

Why do people soak peanuts in co*ke? ›

The combination is believed to have developed in the South during the 1920s, as a snack for blue-collar workers that did not require them to wash their hands.

How long do homemade boiled peanuts last? ›

How do you store boiled peanuts? Fresh boiled peanuts should be kept refrigerated and will keep for about 10 days, possibly longer, in the fridge. For longer storage, boiled peanuts should be frozen. Raw dried peanuts, of the sort that we sell with our kits, keep for over four months in a cool, dark, dry spot.

Why did my boiled peanuts turn black? ›

Old peanuts. The inner color of peanut shells darkens from yellow, to orange, to brown, to black as the peanuts age. It may be that when this happens you have purchased more mature peanuts.

What if boiled peanuts are too salty? ›

James, Yes you can reduce the amount of salt in boiled peanuts. I put over salty boiled peanuts in clean fresh water and simmer them for a few minutes, and then let them soak in the water. The more water used, the more salt removed.

How to clean raw peanuts before boiling? ›

Wash raw peanuts thoroughly in cool water; then soak in cool clean water for about 30 minutes before cooking. 2. Put peanuts in a pot and cover completely with water. Figure 1 cup of salt per gallon of water - or salt to taste.

How long should peanuts be soaked? ›

According to Ayurveda, nuts are heavy to digest as they contain a good amount of healthy fat, protein, and fibre and also are hot in potency (ushna virya). “So whenever you eat them, make sure you've soaked them for six-eight hours.

Can you make boiled peanuts with dried peanuts? ›

“It's as simple as putting the right peanuts in boiling water for a long time.” “You can use fresh green peanuts or dried peanuts. Eight out of ten times, people use dried, often of the Valencia variety, which is sweeter than the fresh Virginia peanut.

Is it safe to eat raw peanuts? ›

Peanuts can be eaten raw, blanched, roasted, boiled, fried, powdered, or made into peanut butter. Eating them with their thin, papery skin is most nutritionally beneficial, as the skin contains the many antioxidants and phytochemicals.

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