Ok, I know it sounds weird if you are not from the South, but there’s just something about cracking open a steamy peanut and tasting that salty, savory goodness that takes me right back to Southern road trips with a brown paper bag in hand. If you love boiled peanuts but never have time for the all-day stovetop simmer, let me introduce you to my favorite shortcut: boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot.
This instant pot version is faster, foolproof, and so full of flavor. Whether you’re craving something salty or spicy (or both!), you can make a batch to satisfy the whole crowd. It’s a nostalgic snack with a modern twist, and perfect for everything from football season to front-porch gatherings. Prefer a slower method? Try the Easy Peanut Stand Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts Recipe for that roadside-stand style flavor.
Gina’s Notes For Making Boiled Peanuts Instant Pot Recipe
This unique snack recipe stands out for its salty, creamy flavor and tender texture, making it a crowd-pleaser for any gathering. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly, which means anyone can make it with confidence. I love how quickly it comes together, just over 90 minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for last-minute game day prep. It’s also easy on the wallet, using just a few ingredients you can order online or grab at the farmer’s market. To make things even smoother, you can prep the peanuts ahead and just toss them in before guests arrive. Plus, you can customize the flavor, Cajun, salt, and vinegar, or even jalapeño! For more creative ways to enjoy this Southern favorite, check out Creamy Boiled Peanut Hummus Recipe.
Quick Recipe Tips Before You Get Started
Important Prep Tips Before Starting the Recipe:
- Use raw green peanuts when possible. If using dried raw peanuts, add 15 more minutes to the pressure time.
- Rinse peanuts very well, they come from the ground and carry dirt.
- Season boldly! The flavor only comes through if the cooking liquid is strong.
Common Mistakes When Making This Recipe
- Underseasoning: Not using enough salt or spice makes bland peanuts. Use salty water like ocean water.
- Peanuts too firm? They probably needed more time or weren’t green. No worries, just reseal and pressure cook 15 more minutes.
Ingredient Tips
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Raw green peanuts: These are fresh, unroasted peanuts, usually seasonal. Look at farmer’s markets or online.
- Salt: Don’t hold back. The peanuts soak in the brine through the shell.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a little tang and balances saltiness.
- Seasoning (Old Bay or Tony’s Chachere’s Creole): Gives it that classic spicy Southern kick. Swap in Cajun blends or your favorite spice mix.
- Water: Enough to fully submerge the peanuts, about 10 cups.
Green peanuts are fresh from the field, moist, and best for boiling. Raw peanuts are dried and take longer to soften when cooking. 
How to Make Boiled Peanuts Instant Pot
Clean the Peanuts
I start by placing the peanuts in a big bowl and filling it with water. I swirl them around with my hands to loosen dirt and stems. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear. This is important!
Load the Instant Pot and Pressure Cook
Add the peanuts, salt, vinegar, and enough water to cover them completely. Then toss in your seasoning. Stir it all together.
Lock the lid. Set to High Pressure for 65 minutes, then allow a 30 minute natural release. This lets the peanuts keep soaking in flavor as they cool slightly.
Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips
Dietary Modifications: This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten free!
Flavor Enhancements:
- Cajun: Double the Old Bay or Tony’s.
- Garlic Dill: Add fresh garlic cloves and dill seed.
- Thai Inspired: Add ginger slices, coriander, and a splash of soy sauce.
Add In Options:
- Fresh jalapeños
- Pickled jalapeños for sweet heat
- Chili flakes or hot sauce
Simple Substitutions:
- Use raw dried peanuts when green ones aren’t available (increase pressure cook time by 15 mins).
- Use white vinegar if apple cider isn’t on hand.
Tips for Recipe Success:
- The longer they sit in the pot post-cooking, the more flavorful they’ll be.
- Peanuts must be submerged fully. Use a metal trivet to weigh them down if needed.
They might be over soaked, undercooked, or low quality. Rinse thoroughly and cook long enough at pressure.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Room Temperature: Eat within 24 hours.
- Refrigerator: Store in their cooking liquid for up to 7 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in brine for up to 6 months. Thaw in fridge overnight, then reheat gently in microwave or on the stovetop. To learn more, I have written The Ultimate Guide: How To Freeze Boiled Peanuts.
- Reheating: Use a saucepan and bring to a simmer with the cooking juices. Or microwave with a damp paper towel over the top.
- Want to preserve your peanuts even longer? Check out How To Can Boiled Peanuts for step-by-step instructions.
Biblical Hospitality Tips For Serving Boiled Peanuts
“Biblical hospitality stretches beyond the safety of our homes into the vulnerability of our hearts.” — Intentional Hospitality
This Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts recipe is a unique, inviting snack perfect for sparking conversations and sharing a nostalgic Southern tradition. Whether you’re introducing someone to this salty treat for the first time or evoking childhood memories, boiled peanuts create the kind of shared moments that embody true biblical hospitality. So make a batch, fill brown paper bags, and watch as the stories and laughter begin to flow!
Serving boiled peanuts is as much about the experience as it is the taste. In the South, it’s common to enjoy them fresh and steaming hot, right out of a brown paper bag, just like you’d get at roadside stands and produce markets scattered along country highways. The humble bag softens in your hands as steam rises and salty brine soaks through the corners. That’s proof something good is inside.
And no Southern snack is complete without a drink, which is why boiled peanuts and Coca Cola go hand in hand. For generations, Southerners have sworn by the combo of salt and fizz, enjoying peanuts either alongside a glass bottled Coke or poured right into the bottle for the ultimate sweet and salty refreshment. It’s not just a quirky tradition. It’s a nostalgic ritual. As early as the 1920s, workers in dusty fields and children at ball games would tear open a corner of their peanut bag and pour the contents into their cold Coca Cola for a hands free one bottle snack and drink.
The sweetness of the Coke balances the salt of the peanuts, while the carbonation adds a fizzy crunch to each bite. Whether served on porches, at tailgates, or in front yards, this pairing invites conversation, laughter, and plenty of second helpings.
So next time you serve boiled peanuts, keep it old school with warm brown bags, bottles of Coke, and plenty of napkins. Then tear, pour, and sip just like generations before.
Who will you serve this salty Southern snack to? Let me know in the comments below, or send this recipe to a friend who’s never had a boiled peanut in their life!
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Southern Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts Easy Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 1 pound peanuts, green raw, in shell
- 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
Prep The Peanuts
- Place the peanuts in a large bowl or bucket. Fill with water and swish them around with your hands to remove dirt, stems, or leaves. Drain and repeat several times until the water is clear.1 pound peanuts
Add Ingredients to Instant Pot
- Pour the cleaned peanuts into the Instant Pot. Add water, salt, apple cider vinegar, and seasoning if using. Stir to combine.½ cup salt, 10 cups water, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Seasoning
Pressure Cook
- Secure the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select Pressure Cook (Manual) and set the timer for 65 minutes on High Pressure.
Natural Rease
- When the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for at least 30 minutes before opening the lid. This helps the peanuts absorb more flavor.
Check for Tenderness
- Taste a peanut. If it’s still a bit firm, cook again on high pressure for 10 more minutes, followed by another 20-minute natural release.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Eat within 24 hours.
- Refrigerator: Store in their cooking liquid for up to 7 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in brine for up to 6 months. Thaw in fridge overnight, then reheat gently in microwave or on the stovetop. To learn more, I have written The Ultimate Guide: How To Freeze Boiled Peanuts.
- Reheating: Use a saucepan and bring to a simmer with the cooking juices. Or microwave with a damp paper towel over the top.
- Use raw green peanuts when possible. If using dried raw peanuts, add 15 more minutes to pressure time.
- Rinse peanuts very well, they come from the ground and carry dirt.
- Season boldly! The flavor only comes through if the cooking liquid is strong.
- Underseasoning: Not using enough salt or spice makes bland peanuts. Use salty water like ocean water.
- Peanuts too firm? They probably needed more time or weren’t green. No worries, just reseal and pressure cook 10 to 15 more minutes.
Equipment
