Boiled peanuts bring forth two types of reactions. Either just the thought of them makes you immediately want an entire bowl (that is me) or the mere mention of them brings about complete and utter confusion (that seems to be most everyone else). The questions that follow include, why would you boil them, aren’t you supposed to roast them, this is a joke right? Let me tell you, it is no joke.
What are boiled peanuts?
This is one of those “don’t knock it till you try it” moments. Sometimes referred to as the Caviar of the South, boiled peanuts are exactly what you think, in most respects. Tender and salty with a bean like taste and texture, similar to chickpeas. An addictive snack with a soft shell that is easy to crack open, so you quickly find you have consumed a whole bowl in a matter of minutes.
Do you need a specific type of peanut for boiled peanuts?
Good question, yes. You specifically want unsalted, raw peanuts. So avoid the salty roasted varieties you typically find at ball parks. Raw, unsalted peanuts can usually be found at your local grocery store.
How do you cook boiled peanuts?
Think of it as any other legume, you want to cook them low and slow for an extended period of time. So of course a stock pot on the stove is your first cooking option. For a more hands off approach you can use your trusty slow cooker so you can sit back and let it do all the work. Or if you are the less patient type, like myself, a pressure cooker will certainly get the job done.
If cooking in a stock pot on the stove – bring everything to a boil and then cook on low for roughly 4 hours, or until the peanuts are tender.
If cooking in a pressure cooker – you want to make sure the peanuts are full submersed so place a steamer basket half full of water on top of the peanuts to keep them weighted down and covered with water. Lock the lid and turn your pressure valve to seal. Cook on High for 75 minutes with a natural release of roughly 30 minutes.
If cooking in a slow cooker – cover and cook on high for 12 hours.
How do you eat boiled peanuts?
You can enjoy boiled peanuts at any temperature. Eat them warm right out of the pot, once they have cooled a bit, at room temperature or even straight out of the fridge. Some people have preferences, try all of them and decide for yourself.
You typically remove the shell and eat the peanut alone, but that is not to say there aren’t those who eat the shell and all.
How do you store boiled peanuts?
Boiled peanuts can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Frozen peanuts can be thawed at room temperature or warmed for 30 seconds in the microwave.
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound of raw unsalted peanuts
- ¾ cup sea salt
- 10 cups water
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse your peanuts in a colander under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Add your peanuts, salt and water to your cooking vessel of choice, stock pot, pressure cooker or slow cooker.
- If cooking in a stock pot on the stove – bring everything to a boil and then cook on low for roughly 4 hours, or until the peanuts are at your preferred tenderness.
- If cooking in a pressure cooker – you will want to make sure the peanuts are full submersed. Place a smaller steamer/air fryer basket half full of water on top of the peanuts to keep them down and covered with water. Lock the lid and turn your pressure valve to seal. Cook on High for 75 minutes with a natural release of at least 30 minutes. The longer they cook the more tender they will be.
- If cooking in a slow cooker – cover and cook on high for 12 hours.
- Use a strainer to remove boiled peanuts and serve at the temperature of your choise.