Home » Recipes » Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe
by Mike Hultquist · · 37 Comments · Jump to Recipe
These homemade boiled peanuts bring the perfect blend of Cajun spices for a wonderful spicy southern snack or appetizer - learn how to make boiled peanuts! You can easily adjust the spices to your own preferred level.
Boiled Peanuts Recipe
I love southern boiled peanuts. Growing up in the north, I never had boiled peanuts. The only time I ever saw them was at local carnivals, served out of shiny trailers. The idea of them just sounded weird.
It wasn't until we visited Charleston in South Carolina that I had a chance to try them homemade.
In the southern United States, you'll find boiled peanuts at gas stations, roadside stands and farmers markets. They're a southern staple.
Check out the post on my Foodie Trip to Charleson, SC, here.
If you've never had boiled peanuts, you owe it to yourself to print this recipe. Go make some right away. You will thank me for it.
Boiled Peanuts Vs. Roasted Peanuts
The thing I never realized is that peanuts grow under the ground. The peanut pods form below ground, with the plant and leaves above.
You pull them from the dirt, and they are raw. And green. You need to clean them and cook them before eating them.
Roasted peanuts are crunchy and hard after roasting. Boiled peanuts, on the other hand, are soft and rather squishy in texture. Much like a bean. You peel them and pluck them from their shells.
And enjoy them! If you're used to roasted peanuts, you might be surprised by the difference in texture. The flavor, though, is outstanding. Boiled peanuts absorb so much more flavor than roasted.
Let's talk about how to make boiled peanuts, shall we?
Cajun Boiled Peanuts Ingredients
- Green Raw Peanuts. In the shell.
- Concentrated Shrimp and Crab Boil. Try Zatarain's New Orleans Style Liquid Crab Boil - Affiliate link, my friends).
- Cajun or Creole Seasoning Blend. Or, try my seafood boil seasoning recipe.
- Salt.
- Habanero Peppers. Sliced in half (optional – use can omit or use other peppers to your own heat level preference).
- Hot Sauce of Choice. A few tablespoons will do, but add as much as you’d like! – Tabasco or Crystal are PERFECT for this recipe.
- Water. To cover the peanuts.
How to Make Boiled Peanuts - The Recipe Method
First, add the peanuts to a large pot. Pour in enough water to cover the peanuts. It's usually a couple gallons of water, depending on the size of your pot.
Stir in the shrimp and crab boil liquid and Cajun seasonings (or Creole seasonings) with salt. You can also add in garlic powder to the salted water if you love garlic.
Add the habanero peppers, if using them. They add a very good level of heat to the whole batch.
Dash in your hot sauce and give it a good stir.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Partially cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 5 hours. Check it periodically to push the peanuts under the seasoned cooking liquid.
Cool to Room Temperature. You can eat the peanuts now if you’d like, but to develop more flavor, cover and set the pot into the refrigerator.
Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors develop. The peanuts will become much more infused with the seasonings as they steep in the liquid.
When you're ready to eat them, just reheat them on the stove top and enjoy.
BOOM! Easy, right? I love a good easy spicy snack, the traditional southern way.
Heat Factor
I used habaneros for a nice level of heat to my peanuts.
If you're concerned about the habanero heat but still want to use peppers, try jalapeno peppers for a milder heat or serrano peppers for a bit more. Or, go with ghost peppers or even a Carolina Reaper for some REAL heat!
You can also skip them. You'll still get plenty of flavor from the mix of seasonings.
Can You Eat Raw Green Peanuts? Do They Have to be Cooked?
You should not eat raw green peanuts. Most raw nuts are safe to eat, but raw peanuts can be contaminated by a mold called Apergillus flavus. This can be potentially dangerous to people and even animals.
There is no guarantee raw green peanuts will be contaminated, but cooking them is the safest measure.
Here is what they look like raw, still in the shell.
Crock Pot or Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts
Can I make boiled peanuts in a crock pot? Yes, you can also make boiled peanuts in a slow cooker or crock pot. Basically, follow the main recipe, but add everything to your slow cooker. Cover the ingredients with enough water to cover.
Set your crock pot to low and cook them low and slow. Your cooking time is 24 hours.
Then, enjoy! I'll have to make some in my pressure cooker, too. See how they turn out!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Feel free to experiment with other seasonings. Some recipes only use salt, but we need flavor! Common additions include black peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic cloves, cayenne pepper, or even a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy note.
- Cooking time can vary. The best way to check for doneness is to sample a peanut periodically. They should be tender but still have a slight bite.
How to Eat Boiled Peanuts
Eat boiled peanuts by peeling open the shells, then plucking the nuts out. This is slightly harder than peeling roasted peanuts, as roasted peanuts are more solid.
Boiled peanuts are softer. The shells pull apart easily, but the softer nuts do not always fall out. You need to pull them out sometimes.
Also, I like to heat my boiled peanuts before eating them. You can eat them cold, though.
Storing Boiled Peanuts
Store boiled peanuts in airtight containers with a bit of the steeping liquid in the refrigerator. They will keep for a week or longer.
They will keep 6 months if frozen.
That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoy my Cajun boiled peanuts recipe! They're AWESOME.
Go get snacking!
Try Some of These Other Popular Southern Recipes
- Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Shrimp Creole
- Seriously Awesome Jambalaya
- Maque Choux (Cajun Corn)
- Cajun Red Beans and Rice
- Hoppin' John
- Low Country Boil
Also, try my spiced nuts recipe and my Homemade Spicy Snack Mix recipe! You'll love them!
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help.If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe
These homemade boiled peanuts bring the perfect blend of Cajun spices for a wonderful spicy southern snack or appetizer - learn how to make boiled peanuts!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cajun, peanuts, recipe, spicy
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours hours
Steeping Time: 1 day day
Total Time: 5 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Calories: 473kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 12
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 7 votes
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds green raw peanuts in the shell
- 4 ounces concentrated shrimp and crab boil
- ½ cup Cajun or Creole Seasoning Blend (or use seafood boil seasoning)
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 4 habanero peppers sliced in half (optional – use can omit or use other peppers to your own heat level preference)
- Hot sauce of choice a few tablespoons will do, but add as much as you’d like! – Tabasco or Crystal are PERFECT for this recipe
- Water to cover
Instructions
Add the peanuts to a large pot. Pour in enough water to cover the peanuts. It's usually a couple gallons of water.
Stir in the shrimp and crab boil and Cajun seasonings (or Creole seasonings) with salt.
Add the habanero peppers, if using them. They add a very good level of heat to the whole batch.
Dash in your hot sauce and give it a good stir.
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce heat. Partially cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 5 hours. Check it periodically to push the peanuts under the seasoned water.
Cool. You can eat the peanuts now if you’d like, but to develop more flavor, cover and set the pot into the refrigerator.
Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors develop. The peanuts will become much more infused with the seasonings as they steep in the liquid.
Reheat on the stove top and enjoy.
Notes
Serving size is 1/2 cup.
Heat Factor: Medium-Hot. You can dial back the heat by omitting the habaneros or using milder peppers. Heat it up more with extra habanero peppers, or use hotter peppers, like ghost peppers or scorpion peppers. Carolina Reapers, anyone?
STORING: Store boiled peanuts in airtight containers with a bit of the steeping liquid in the refrigerator. Will keep for a week or longer. Will keep 6 months if frozen.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 21gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 1185mgPotassium: 740mgFiber: 9gVitamin A: 2495IUVitamin C: 5.9mgCalcium: 185mgIron: 7.3mg
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 3/20/24 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 3/4/19.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Bonnie says
We’ve tried unsuccessfully to score raw peanuts inCanada’s north but no joy. Can we use roasted?
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Mike Hultquist says
Bonnie, it won't be the same with roasted, as they are already cooked. You won't get the same texture. You'll still get some good flavor, though.
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alan hodge says
When I took them out of the fridge, there was no water left. Should I add more water when I reheat them, or will that dilute the flavor?
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Mike Hultquist says
Alan, you can reheat them in the microwave without any water, or perhaps add a little bit of water into a pot to warm them on the stove top. You don't need much water, really. I don't think it would dilute the flavor much, as the flavor gets soaked into the peanuts. Enjoy!
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Ramya says
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use salt instead i never had cajun boiled peanuts before perfect for my after office snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
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Mike Hultquist says
Enjoy, Ramya. YUM.
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Melissa Wittman says
Definitely going to try them boiled. I love the sound of the flavors. however my husband can be very picky about texture. If he doesn't like the softer peanut, is it possible to maybe dry them out and roast them after they've been infused with the flavors?
Mike Hultquist says
Melissa, you CAN dry roast them in the oven after they are boiled, but they don't get crunchy like regular roasted peanuts. They're more chewy in texture. I have not tried dehydrating them, though.
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Lisa Spencer says
You yankees got me rolling.Reply
Mike Hultquist says
Good thing a southerner taught me how to make them. =)
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Tomasz says
Hi,looks tasty.
Should the peanuts be dried before serving?regards,
TomaszReply
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Tomasz. Nope, you can serve them wet. So good! Enjoy!
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Jameson Smith says
I make my cajun boiled peanuts in a stainless pot on the grill side burner, using serrano and halipeno peppers, salt, crab boil, and some assorted spices. I used raw dried peanuts soaked for 18-24 hours in several chages of cold water. They usually turn out fantastic, but depending on the peppers and peanuts, they can sometimes turn out a little hotter than I want. Any way to adjust the heat after the final brine soak (1.5 hour.)Reply
Mike Hultquist says
Sounds wonderful to me!
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Val says
Can this recipe be done with shelled raw peanuts? I cannot buy raw peanuts in the shell where I live...
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Mike Hultquist says
I haven't tried this with shelled peanuts. I think you'd need to cook them for less time, but not 100%.
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John says
You might try Bertie county peanuts in Bertie county N.C. They also will ship them to you
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Renee says
I live in New England and never heard of boiled peanuts until I happened upon some on a road trip to Miami in 2016. Loved them!, and would like to try my hand at making some, but wonder where the best place is to get raw peanuts (online?). I would prefer organic and sustainably harvested if possible. Does anyone have suggestions?
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Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Renee, I don't have an online source for them. I get them locally. You might start with Amazon. Yes, they are delicious!
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Scott says
Renee, I have the same issue living up north. I have found that most Asian markets & grocery stores have them. That’s the route I’ve taken. I wish I knew that sooner after spending years of loading up raw peanuts when I would visit back home in Fla and bringing them back with me.
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Bo says
DO NOT, I REPEAT , DO NOT PEEL THE SHELL AND PLUCK THE NUT OUT!!!!!
If you do this you are missing out on 80% of the boiled peanuts' greatness.
Pop that whole thing in your mouth and crack the shell open lengthwise with you teeth (kinda like you would a sunflower seed if you ever eat those) and suck. Enjoy the salty cajuny juice that the shell contains. Then you can pop the nuts out however you like and enjoy those next. It might take a little practice to get it right if you've never done it before, but hot damn it's worth it.Reply
Ellen Patrick says
Hi, Michael. Thanks for posting this recipe. I'm from Charleston, SC, and just spent a few days with family at Edisto Beach. Eight pounds of peanuts were boiled, and eaten!! Since I love them so much, I stopped and purchased several pounds of raw peanuts on my way home. I have made my own "spicy" boiled peanuts several times, but decided to look up some recipes on line. I'm definitely going to try your recipe. Also, I just wanted to mention that I've been eating raw peanuts all my life, and have never had any problems. I was unaware that they could be contaminated by mold, but I did some Google searching, and just read about conditions which promote mold growth. Can't say I'll stop eating them green because I love them uncooked, too. But, I will definitely be diligent in checking for evidence of mold before
I do!Reply
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Ellen. I appreciate it, and hope you like this recipe. I really love boiled peanuts, and was so happy to enjoy them in Charleston! Such a GREAT city.
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Bev says
I used your recipe 2 mos ago only after they were cooked .
Then I used
A pressure canner at 10# pressure after I added the brine to pint ball jars .
Cook for 45 min
Telll you what that was the best and now I can take on camping trips!! Yeah!
They didn't come out mushy even after cooking again pressure cannerReply
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent, Bev! I love it.
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Michelle says
So, I'm a Florida girl and I've missed my boiled peanut stands since we now travel full time. Recently, I stumbled upon raw peanuts and tried another "Cajun" recipe. My husband wasn't at all impressed with the lack of spiciness so, I found this recipe and tried it. I followed it to the T and I actually added about 2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes and my husband absolutely LOVED this recipe! This is definitely my go-to from now on! And, I love the fact that you use the crab boil oil. I keep it in my pantry at all times but, I've never seen anyone else who uses it. Awesome recipe!Reply
Mike Hultquist says
Boom! Glad you enjoyed it, Michelle! We LOVE this recipe here! This makes me happy.
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Tony says
Mate what a great twist on standard boiled peanuts, love em, I do mine in a pressure cooker,45 minutes on the first cook, then leave them sit overnight in the liquid then another 15 minutes on high to finish them. The overnight sit let's the peanut soak in the juices. Yummy with a few cold beers.
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Ramona Ham says
My son & I always purchase at least 100 lbs. of green, raw peanuts every year to boil and put in the freezer for football season. However, we use a pressure cooker to save time. (Same basic recipe, though.) YUMMY!!!
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Andrew Barr says
Hello
What are the following?:
concentrated shrimp and crab boil
Cajun or Creole Seasoning Blend
I live in the UK and am not familiar with them
ThanksReply
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Andrew, the Shrimp and Crab Boil is a concentrated liquid of essential oils and seasonings. You might be able to find it online. If not, double up on the Cajun or Creole seasonings, which are both a collection of spices used in the Louisiana region, though popular all over the US. Check out my Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend Recipe to learn more about those spices. You might be able to make your own pretty easily.
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Ellen Patrick says
Andrew, if someone answered your questions, I'm unable to see their responses. Cajun and Creole Blends are a mix of spices used to flavor seafood, and other, dishes. Food markets here in the states carry them, but I'm sure you can order online if you like. We always used Old Bay brand when I was growing up, but Zatarain's and Tony Chacherre's are fine, as well. I've never used liquid. We always sprinkled Old Bay right into the shrimp boil, but some brands bundle the spices in packets (like a tea bag), that can be removed after cooking. I hope this helps.
Ellen
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Julia says
True boiled peanuts are pulled from the ground when they are still soft.
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Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Not sure I've heard of this, but regardless, they still need to be actually boiled, as they are raw peanuts.Reply
Chad says
This literally has to do with how long you boil them. Not how soon you pick them out of the ground.. The earliest ones are still firm as hell.
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Larry Dinkoff says
I LOVE Boiled Peanuts! I was first introduced to them in South Carolina back in 1971. And I have enjoyed them ever since. As I have lived in various parts of the south I could always find them in gas stations, convenience stores. etc. Always served out of slow cooker pots. YUM!When I retired in 2005, I moved to Texas. AND YOU CAN'T FIND THEM HERE, except in cans. YUCK. So I started making them myself. Never thought of the Habanero Peppers but will try that on my next batch. Or maybe a Ghost Pepper. Or even a Reaper or three.
As you say, you can always adjust the heat level. Since I make arts and crafts to sell at craft shows, I am thinking about starting to offer these as taste samplers as soon as I can find 50# bags of raw peanuts.
Might be a whole new career for me.
Thanks for the recipe Mike! I will try your version with the Habs when I make a batch again!
Larry
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Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
That's awesome, Larry! Great way to bring them into Texas! Could be a fun career addition for sure.
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