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. Just like the roadside peanut stand!
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.
Boiled peanuts are a Southern snack that might seem a bit strange to some. They are so much fun to eat, and the salty brine they are cooked in makes them perfect for snacking.
I love them, you definitely want to check out my Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts for a quicker method for boiling peanuts.
If you enjoy canning, then be sure and check out my How To Can Boiled Peanuts. Not sure what to do with leftovers? Find everything need to know about How To Freeze Boiled Peanuts and reheat them too.
Why You Will Love This Boiled Peanuts Recipe
- Nostalgia! If you remember driving across the south as a child and enjoying this snack, now you can enjoy them again by making them at home!
- A fun and different way to enjoy peanuts.
- Easy to follow instructions! Any level cook can make boiled peanuts.
🥜 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 with a spicy cajun flavor.
Since they’re boiled rather than roasted, they have a much softer texture than roasted peanuts. Be sure you have a napkin nearby because the peanut juice tends to run down your arms to your elbows. 😀
What Is the best variety of peanuts for boiling?
David West from the Georgia Peanut Commission shares that while there are several varieties of peanuts grown in the US, the two that are used frequently for boiling are the Valencia and Runner varieties. While Valencia is considered the gourmet variety for sweetness, the Runner is far better for boiling, especially when available green, straight from the field!
🛒 Ingredients For Crockpot Boiled Peanuts
- Raw peanuts: Be sure to only use green raw peanuts. You can’t make this recipe with roasted peanuts.
- Salt: It may seem that there is a lot of salt in this recipe but that is necessary in order for the peanuts in a shell to absorb some saltiness.
- Water: The peanuts need to be covered with water for cooking.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adding vinegar to the water adds another layer of flavor to the peanut seasoning.
- Tony’s Chachere’s seasoning: Double or triple if you like it really spicy. You can also use another brand if you prefer.
Are raw peanuts the same as green peanuts?
Raw peanuts and green peanuts are both unroasted and unprocessed, but they differ in their stage of maturity.
- Raw Peanuts: Raw peanuts are mature peanuts that have been removed from their shells and dried.
- Green Peanuts: Green peanuts are freshly harvested peanuts that have not been dried or roasted. They are also known as “fresh” peanuts and have a high moisture content, which gives them a different taste and texture compared to raw peanuts. Green peanuts are commonly boiled or roasted as a popular snack in the Southern United States.
Note Cooking Times: You generally need to boil raw peanuts longer than green peanuts because raw peanuts are harder and drier, which makes them take longer to cook. Give them an extra hour or so of cooking time.
It’s important to note that the cooking time for both raw and green peanuts can vary depending on the altitude and the size of the peanuts, so it’s best to keep an eye on them while cooking and test them periodically for doneness.
Where can I get raw peanuts?
If you live in the south, the harvest season for peanuts is September through October. Around this time you can find green peanuts at most farmers’ stands or local groceries.
If you aren’t in the South or want to make them at a different time of year, you will need to use raw peanuts which you can order online.
RAW PEANUTS
How to Make Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts
Once you’ve gathered up your ingredients, you’re ready to get cooking! Here’s an overview of how to make boiled peanuts crockpot. Be sure to check the recipe card for the details.
- Prep the peanuts. Fill a big bowl or bucket with water and dump in your raw peanuts. Pick out any stems or leaves as you run your hands through the peanuts and water. Drain the water, rinse, and repeat. Do this several times until the water runs clear of dirt.
- Add the salt, vinegar, peanuts, and water to your crockpot.
- Stir everything together. If you like them spicy, you will want to add the seasoning now.
- Cover and cook on high for 8 hours if using fresh peanuts, and 12 to 24 hours if using dried. If necessary, add more water to keep the peanuts covered in liquid. You may need to add a little more water before they are finished cooking so keep an eye on them. Test the taste if the peanuts are soft. If not, cook for an additional hour and test again.
- Check if they’re done. The easiest way to do this is to taste one to see if the peanuts are soft. If not, cook for an additional hour and test again.
How to Store Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts are good for about 24 hours at room temperature. After that, you’ll want to refrigerate or freeze them.
- Refrigerator: 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.
- Freezer: Cover the peanuts with their boiling juice and place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then heat the peanuts and juice in a pan until they boil.
- Reheat: 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.
How to Serve Boiled Peanuts
- Serve them up in a bowl, be sure to add a little juice, and give everyone plenty of napkins.
- Southern-style serving: Put peanuts and a little juice in a plastic bag. Slip that bag in a brown paper lunch sack to serve.
- Cook with them! 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.
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 into a pan, and warm them up over medium heat on the stovetop. You can also place the peanuts in a microwave-safe bowl and warm them up that way.
Expert Tips
- 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! You want to 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
⭐ PRO TIP: 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.
All About Boiled Peanuts
Living in the South means I’ve had tons of experience both eating and cooking boiled peanuts. Here are the questions I find most asked when it comes to this unique snack.
How do you eat boiled peanuts?
There’s no exact way you have to eat them! Some people crack the soggy shells open with their hands.
There are 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.
There are those die-hard southerners that eat the whole thing, shell and all.
Do you eat the boiled peanut shell?
You don’t have to! 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.
Why are my boiled peanuts still hard?
- You might find your peanuts are still a little firm after cooking. This happens when the peanut’s moisture starts to draw out before cooking or you did not cook them long enough.
- Add more water if needed to cover the peanuts and continue to cook on high for another hour.
- Taste test the 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.
Crock Pot: How To Use, Clean and Safty Guide: Make life easier by leveling up your make-ahead meals using your Crock Pot. This guide provides you with valuable information on usage instructions, safety precautions, cleaning tips, and storage advice to help you maximize the potential of your Crock-Pot. With the help of this guide, you can easily prepare delicious meals that are ready for you to enjoy after a tiring, hectic day.
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Boiled Peanuts Recipe Crockpot
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound peanuts , green, raw
- ½ cup salt
- 10 cups water , Or more, the peanuts need to be covered with water.
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Seasoning, Old Bay or Tony's Chachere's. Double or triple if you like it really spicy
Instructions
- 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.1 pound peanuts
- Add salt, vinegar, peanuts, and water into the Crockpot1 pound peanuts, ½ cup salt, 10 cups water, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Add seasoning, if you want them a little spicy. Stir1 tablespoon Seasoning
- Cover and cook on high for 8 hours if using fresh peanuts, and 12 to 24 hours if using dried. If necessary, add more water to keep the peanuts covered in liquid. You may need to add a little more water before they are finished cooking so keep an eye on them. Test the taste if the peanuts are soft. If not, cook for an additional hour and test again.
- Southern style serving: Put peanuts and a little juice in a plastic bag. Slip that bag in a brown paper lunch sack to serve. Or you can just serve in a bowl, be sure to add a little juice, and give everyone plenty of napkins.
Equipment
Notes
- Raw Peanuts: Raw peanuts are mature peanuts that have been removed from their shells and dried.
- Green Peanuts: Green peanuts are freshly harvested peanuts that have not been dried or roasted. They are also known as “fresh” peanuts and have a high moisture content, which gives them a different taste and texture compared to raw peanuts. Green peanuts are commonly boiled or roasted as a popular snack in the Southern United States.
🎥 Visit my web story about three ways to make boiled peanuts.