If you’re from the south or if you’ve visited the South during the summer months, you’ve probably seen numerous signs or stands on the roadsides offering ‘Boiled Peanuts”. They are a southern staple at tailgating events, potlucks, gatherings, beach parties and more.
Having grown up in New England, we were familiar with lightly salted ROASTED peanuts (in the shell), which crackled deliciously when you bit into them offering a crunchy rich nutty explosion of flavor in your mouth.
This “boiled peanut” thing was new to us… and I was hesitant to give them a try. We implored as to how you’re supposed to eat them, meaning, do you pop the entire thing in your mouth, shell and all or do you peel the shells off, etc. We were told to eat them shell and all.
I popped one into my mouth, not sure what to expect, my tongue was instantly met with a mushy, salty, non-peanut flavor experience that I couldn’t even begin to describe, nor spit out fast enough. Six long years would pass before I’d even attempt another taste test when our gracious neighbor cooked a lovely batch of REAL Southern Boiled peanuts and brought them to a gathering of friends.
Her peanuts looked firm, the shells were not mushy, they glistened with seasoning and had a lovely aroma. We watched them SHELL the peanuts and munch the little morsels inside. Hmmm…. So, with hesitation, we tried again and this time, our taste buds were met with a delightful seasoned treat, slightly firm, yet soft peanuts. Before we realized it, we’d eaten several handfuls!
Now comes the difficult part… how to prepare them yourself. Except that they aren’t difficult at all, they just take a bit of time to cook. Not being particularly patient, I wondered if they could be cooked in a pressure cooker instead. They Can!
Luckily, in the south, fresh green peanuts run from .50 a pound to $1.25 a pound from July through the end of August, so this is a fairly cheap snack to make for a crowd.
Here’s my “Yankified” version aka FAST of “Southern Boiled Peanuts”!
How to Make Southern Boiled Peanuts
You’ll Need:
A Pressure Cooker(or Crockpot/Slow Cooker)
Water
1 c. Sea Salt
3 Tbs Old Bay Seasoning
3 – 4#’s Raw (Green) Peanuts in the Shell
Wash the peanuts thoroughly and discard any that might be moldy. Place them in the pressure cooker (we use a Maximatic digital pressure cooker) with just enough water to cover them.
Sprinkle one cup of salt over the top, add 3 Tbs of Old Bay Seasoning, and mix them well.
Set the pressure cooker for thirty minutes, process. Allow it to naturally release the pressure on its own, or alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, just release the quick-release valve, allow it to depressurize, and then open the lid.
Stir the peanuts, taste test to ensure they are the texture you prefer. If not, cook them an additional 10 minutes. We prefer them to be soft but Not mushy.
How to Make Southern Boiled Peanuts in a Slow Cooker
Enjoy this easy and “Yankified” version of the classic Southern Boiled Peanuts, cooked slowly for deep flavor infusion.
You’ll Need:
- A slow cooker
- Water
- 1 cup sea salt
- 3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 3 to 4 pounds raw (green) peanuts in the shell
Instructions:
- Preparation: Thoroughly wash the peanuts, removing any that are moldy or damaged. Place them in your slow cooker.
- Seasoning:
Add enough water to just cover the peanuts. Sprinkle the sea salt and Old Bay Seasoning over the peanuts. Stir well to mix the seasonings throughout. - Cooking:
Set your slow cooker to high. - Cook the peanuts for 6-8 hours. The long cooking time helps to infuse the flavors deeply and soften the peanuts perfectly.
- Finishing Up:
Stir the peanuts occasionally, checking the texture after 6 hours. - Taste test a peanut to see if it has reached your preferred texture. If they aren’t soft enough, continue cooking for up to 2 more hours, checking every half hour.
- Serving:
Once cooked to your liking, drain the peanuts and serve warm, or let them cool in their brine to enhance the flavor.
This slow cooker method is perfect for those who want to set up their meal and forget it for several hours, allowing the slow cooker to do all the work of infusing flavor and achieving the perfect soft texture. Enjoy your homemade Southern Boiled Peanuts as a hearty snack any time of day!
Southern Boiled Peanuts Print Recipe
Southern Boiled Peanuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds raw peanuts (in the shell)
- Water (sufficient to cover the peanuts)
- 1 cup sea salt
- 3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
Pressure Cooker Method:
- Thoroughly wash the peanuts, removing any that are spoiled or moldy.3 to 4 pounds raw peanuts
- Place the peanuts in a pressure cooker and add enough water to just cover them.Water
- Add sea salt and Old Bay Seasoning. Stir well to mix the seasonings throughout.1 cup sea salt3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to high for 30 minutes.
- After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally. If in a hurry, use the quick-release valve.
- Stir the peanuts and perform a taste test. If they are not soft enough, cook for an additional 10 minutes under pressure.
Crockpot/Slow Cooker Method:
- Wash the peanuts and place them in the crockpot.3 to 4 pounds raw peanuts
- Cover with water and add the sea salt and Old Bay Seasoning.Water1 cup sea salt3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- Set the crockpot to high and cook for 6-8 hours, checking for softness as they cook.
- Adjust seasoning and water if necessary, especially if the water level reduces too much during cooking.
Equipment
Notes
Cajun Variation:
For a spicier kick,- add 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning
- a teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- Include 5 cloves of minced garlic and a chopped onion for extra depth and flavor.
If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.
Nutrition
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