Boiled Peanuts

Once you start, you won’t be able to stop eating Southern boiled peanuts.

What Are Boiled Peanuts?

Boiled peanuts are just raw peanuts that have been boiled in salted water for hours.

A bowl of boiled peanuts on a table with shelled boiled peanuts in the background

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

Great with beer or a cold soda, these salty soft peanuts are totally addictive!

Most people I talked to just boil their peanuts in plain salt water.

Close-up of boiled peanuts in the shell

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

I used a combination of smoked paprika andOld Baywhich was quite tasty.

The longer the peanuts cook, or sit in the salty water, the saltier they will become.

Also the longer the peanuts cook, the softer the shells will become.

A bowl of boiled peanuts on a table with shelled boiled peanuts and a beer glass in the background

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

If they end up too salty, use less salt the next time.

If you like them softer, cook them longer.

The inside nuts themselves should be completely soft.

Tomato Pie with a Slice Lifted on a Pie Knife

If crunchy or crisp, they need to cook longer.

Cover and reduce the heat just enough to maintain a low boil.

A plate of fried green tomatoes

Refrigerate boiled peanuts in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 weeks.

Jars of Chow Chow

Rinsing a colander of raw peanuts in their shells under a sink

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

Adding salt to a pot of raw in-shell peanuts

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

A pot of raw in-shell peanuts and water, ready to boil

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

A bowl of boiled peanuts on a table with shelled boiled peanuts in the background

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer