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!

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (6)

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

Southern Boiled Peanuts Recipe (7)

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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 (8)

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.

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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.)

How much salt for 3 lbs of boiled peanuts per? ›

Many online boiled peanuts recipes advise using more salt than you need. The concentration of salt in the water is the important factor rather than the pounds of peanuts in the water. Our boiled peanuts recipe suggests 1/2 cup of salt per Gallon of water. Some like more, some less.

What happens when you overcook boiled peanuts? ›

Boiled peanuts that are overcooked or left out for too long can become slimy. Make sure to cook until tender (not mushy), and refrigerate any leftovers after serving.

Why put vinegar in boiled peanuts? ›

Just make sure you add enough to flavor the cooking liquid. If you can't taste it in the liquid, then you won't taste it in the peanuts. 4. Add vinegar for depth of flavor – Much like adding spices and seasonings, adding vinegar to your boiled peanuts provides another layer of flavor.

How long should you soak peanuts before boiling? ›

In a large (10- to 12-quart) stockpot, stir 1/2 cup salt into two gallons of water until the salt dissolves, then add the peanuts. Use a large dinner plate or two to help submerge the floating peanuts. Allow to soak for eight hours or overnight. (This step saves a little time boiling, but you can skip if needed.

How long do you soak peanuts after boiling? ›

Use a large dinner plate or two to help submerge the floating peanuts. Allow to soak for 8 hours or overnight.

How to know when boiled peanuts are done? ›

Check peanuts after 2 hours to sample their texture and salinity. Peanuts should be soft without being mushy, and somewhat salty (they will get saltier as they cool in cooking water). If peanuts aren't salty enough, add more salt to pot, 1/4 cup at a time.

Can you over boil boiled peanuts? ›

It is very hard to overcook boiled peanuts. When in doubt, give them a little longer.

What if boiled peanuts are not salty enough? ›

Chew on the peanut. If they're not tender or salty enough, keep cooking and test every hour repeating the same procedure. Keep adding water to the cooking vessel as needed. CAUTION: Do not add more brine, just add fresh tap water.

Why are my boiled peanuts mushy? ›

Only overcooked boiled peanuts are mushy and hard to remove from the shells. Properly boiled peanuts are easy to remove from the shell.

What happens if you eat too many boiled peanuts? ›

Too much peanuts intake at one time may even lead to stomach discomfort. Constipation, diarrhoea and bloating are common issues associated with excessive peanuts intake. So, it is recommended to take peanuts in moderate quantities if you are already suffering from stomach related issues.

Are you supposed to refrigerate boiled peanuts? ›

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 do Southerners eat boiled 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 are my boiled peanuts black? ›

You either boiled the peanuts in a cast iron pot that needs re-seasoned or too much iron in the water.

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.

Can you boil dry raw peanuts? ›

Raw peanuts can be boiled in a pot, a pressure cooker, or a slow cooker. Green peanuts need at least 1 hour of boiling up to 4 hours. Raw, dried peanuts require more boiling, up to 24 hours in a slow cooker, or an open pot. A pressure cooker boils dried peanuts much faster, especially at high altitude.

Should we soak peanuts in water? ›

Heart Health: Soaked peanuts are filled with heart-friendly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They are also a good source of antioxidant resveratrol, which lowers inflammation and heart disease risk. This makes them a wonderful addition to a heart-healthy diet.

What is the best way to boil peanuts? ›

Thoroughly rinse the raw unshelled peanuts in water. Put the water, salt, seasoning, peanuts in a large stockpot, bring to a boil: Cover and reduce the heat just enough to maintain a low boil. Boil for 2 to 3 hours or longer (some boil their peanuts all day), until peanuts reach desired level of softness.

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.

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