Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts

Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts in the shell is a southern snack traditionally served in a brown paper bag with a salty and sometimes spicy delicious flavor. If you enjoy boiled peanuts and want an easy way to make your own then you need to cook them in a crockpot. Put them in before you go to bed, then by the next evening, they are ready to serve hot and steamy.

WHAT ARE BOILED PEANUTS?

No road trip across the Southeast U.S. would be complete without stopping for boiled peanuts at a roadside stand. Boiled peanuts are definitely an acquired taste, but southerners take their traditional snack seriously. They have a smooth, creamy flavor similar to chickpeas.  Some like their boiled peanuts mild and salty while others like theirs spicy cajun boiled.

When you crack open the shell and pop out the peanuts, they are slightly slimy in texture and very soft.  Be sure and have a napkin nearby because the peanut juice tends to run down your arms to your elbows

ARE BOILED PEANUTS HEALTHY FOR YOU?

According to WebMD, lab tests on the peanut extracts show that boiled peanuts had higher antioxidants levels than the raw and roasted peanuts. When peanuts are boiled in their shell, the peanut kernel absorbs antioxidants in the peanut shells and skins. That can't happen with shelled, skinned peanut kernels, the researchers note.

Antioxidants, which come in many forms and are found in plants, may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, note the researchers.

HOW DO YOU EAT A BOILED PEANUT?

Some people crack the soggy shells open with their hands. They're also people that pop the whole peanut in their mouth, crack it open with their teeth, extract the nut, and spit out the shell. This way takes talent. Then there are those die-hard southerners that eat the whole thing, shell and all.

DO YOU EAT THE BOILED PEANUT SHELL?

Boiled peanut shells are slightly soft because of the long boiling process. A hardcore southerner might say you should eat the shell. However, most people discard them after picking out the peanuts.

HOW TO BOIL PEANUTS IN A CROCK POT

WHAT KIND OF PEANUTS SHOULD I USE?

To make boiled peanuts, you must use fresh raw or green peanuts. You can usually get these in the late summer months. Dried or roasted peanuts will not work.

ARE RAW PEANUTS THE SAME AS GREEN?

Green Peanuts are just picked peanuts. It’s best to store them in a cool, dry place like a refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.

Raw Peanuts are raw but air-dried, so they are safe to sit out for a week or two at room temperature. These peanuts take a little longer to cook, so be sure and process them 15 minutes longer to active softness.

WHERE CAN I GET RAW GREEN PEANUTS?

RAW PEANUTS

HOW TO PREP CROCK POT BOILED PEANUTS

Fill a big bowl or bucket with water, then dump in your peanuts. Pick out any stems or leaves as you run your hands through the peanuts and water. Rinse and do this several times until the water runs clear of dirt.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A CROCKPOT WHEN MAKING BOILED PEANUTS

1. Fill a big bowl or bucket with water, then dump in your raw peanuts. Pick out any stems or leaves as you run your hands through the peanuts and water. Rinse and do this several times until the water runs clear of dirt.
2. Add salt, vinegar, peanuts, and water into the Crockpot
3. Add seasoning, if you want them a little spicy. Stir
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 22 to 24 hours. You may need to add a little more water before they are finished cooking so keep an eye on them. Test taste if the peanuts are soft. If not, cook for an additional hour and test again.

TIPS FOR FLAVORING BOILED PEANUTS

Salt the water! – Salt is the key to a good southern boiled peanut. It might seem like a lot in the recipe, but don't skimp, make it salty like the ocean. Don't worry. Most of the salt will remain in the water.

Seasoning – Many boiled peanut vendors offer either traditional or Cajun. You can infuse flavor in your boiled peanuts by adding seasonings, spices, and even aromatic vegetables like jalapeño peppers. My favorite is Old Bay Seasoning and Tony Chachere Seasoning Blends

Just make sure you add enough to flavor the cooking liquid. If you can’t taste it in the liquid, you won’t taste it in the peanuts.

TROUBLESHOOTING CROCK POT BOILED PEANUTS

You might find your peanuts are a little firm after cooking. This happened when the peanut's moisture started to draw out before cooking, or you did not cook them long enough. Add more water if the peanuts are not covered, and continue to cook on high for another hour.

Taste test peanuts again to see if they are soft. If not, repeat for another hour. Don't be alarmed. It takes a long time to get soft, squishy peanuts, but it's worth the wait.

HOW TO STORE BOILED PEANTS

Boiled peanuts are good for about 24 hours at room temperature. After that, you’ll want to refrigerate or freeze them. If you do not eat all your boiled peanuts, store them in an air-tight container in your refrigerator for up to 1 week. Be sure to keep them covered in the water they were cooked in. If not, they will dry out and not be as flavorful.

To freeze, cover the peanuts with their boiling juice a place in a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then heat the peanuts and juice in a pan until they boil.

OTHER WAYS TO COOK BOILED PEANUTS

INSTANT POT BOILED PEANUTS

If you are in a hurry, using an Instant Pot is the quickest way to get them soft and delicious. For instructions, visit my post, Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts.

PRESSURE COOKER BOILED PEANUTS

If you would like to make your own CANNED BOILED PEANUTS, here are the instructions. It's very easy to do, but you must use a pressure canner (NOT AN INSTANT POT) because peanuts are a low acid food. They need to be processed at a high temperature and pressure for 90 minutes.  The only thing else you will need for your canned boiled peanuts are green peanuts, figure one pound per quart jar, Canner Pressure Cooker, some canning salt, and spicy cajun seasoning if you want a kick to your boiled peanuts.

TIPS FOR SERVING BOILED PEANUTS

DO YOU EAT BOILED PEANUTS HOT OR COLD?

Boiled peanuts are traditionally served warm in a paper bag. However, some people like them cold, right out of the fridge. If you like them warm, pour them in a pan and warm them up on the medium heat stovetop. Another way is to place the peanuts in a microwave-safe bowl and warm them that way.

HOW TO REHEAT BOILED PEANUTS

Pour the peanuts and enough peanut juice to cover the peanuts in a pan. You might need to add a little water to cover the peanuts. If you do, I suggest adding a bit more salt and seasoning. Bring to a boil and then serve warm.

RECIPES USING LEFTOVER BOILED PEANUTS

Y’all are going to love this Boiled Peanut Hummus! A smooth, nutty flavor with a punch of lemon and garlic makes this a southern hummus-boiled peanut recipe you will make again and again.