Description
These Cajun Boiled Peanuts are just like the ones sold at your local country roadside gas station or convenient shop. Boiled peanuts are a traditional Southern snack and delicacy. Raw peanuts are boiled until tender in a rich and flavor-filled broth full of Cajun spice and more. Crack open each shell and slurp on the broth while enjoying the soft peanuts. They’re so nostalgic, flavorful, and easy to make!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs raw peanuts, in-shell (or green peanuts)- see notes
- ¼ cup Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 6 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle/can of beer- optional
- 3–4 quarts water, or enough to cover peanuts
Instructions
- Rinse peanuts. Place the raw peanuts into a colander and give them a rinse under cool water, I do this at least 2 times. Pick over and discard any random debris you may find.
- Cook & boil peanuts. Place the peanuts into a large stockpot or dutch oven (about 7-8 quarts). Then add the Cajun seasoning, salt, Old Bay seasoning, crushed red pepper, brown sugar, garlic, liquid smoke, and beer (if using). Pour in enough water to cover the peanuts. Then gently stir all ingredients to fully combine. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot- leaving a little vent for steam to escape.
- Monitor the boil process. Let the peanuts cook and gently simmer for 7-8 hours, or longer depending on desired texture. Go back to the pot and check the liquid level every hour or so, making sure the peanuts are submerged under the seasoned liquid. If needed, add warm/boiled water to the pot to replenish any liquid evaporation. Boiled peanuts are good and ready when they’re semi-soft on the outside with a little firmness, and the peanuts inside the shell are extra tender. However, it’s up to your desired preference. Give the peanuts a taste test during the cooking process and go from there until they’re nice and right for you.
- Enjoy now or store for later. After cooking, you can enjoy these Cajun boiled peanuts right away, and enjoy your life. Alternatively, let the boiled peanuts cool to room temperature and then transfer them along with the cooking liquid into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The peanuts will have a chance to steep and soak up all of the flavorful broth (much like the pot likker in a batch of collard greens)…yum! When ready, simply reheat on the stovetop and enjoy!
Notes
- Storing boiled peanuts: These peanuts will keep for up to 1 week when stored inside of an airtight container (with the cooking liquid) in the refrigerator. Simply reheat boiled peanuts on the stovetop until warmed through.
- Slow Cooker boiled peanuts: Add all of the ingredients into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker vessel, carefully stir all ingredients to fully combine. Cover and cook on low until the peanuts are tender, about 24 hours or longer. Note: To speed up the cooking process with slow cooker method, add *boiling water* into the slow cooker to cover peanuts and cook on high for about 8 hours or so.
- Instant Pot boiled peanuts: Add all of the ingredients into the insert of a 6-quart or larger pressure cooker (make sure you don’t exceed the recommended amount of liquid for your cooker), stir all ingredients to fully combine and make sure the peanuts are covered. Lock the lid in place and set on high pressure for 90 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, let the cooker release pressure in the vent position until all steam has ceased.
- Green peanuts: These types of peanuts are considered fresh from the farm and have moisture to them as opposed to dry, raw peanuts. They also require less cooking time than raw peanuts. Green peanuts will need to cook for about half of the time instructed for raw peanuts.
- Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.
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