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Home » Recipes » Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe

Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Mar 20, 2024 · 41 Comments

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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! You can easily adjust the spices to your own preferred level.

Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe

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 Seasonings. Try my Creole Seasoning Recipe, this awesome Cajun Seasoning Recipe, or, try my seafood boil seasoning recipe. Any of these will work for BIG flavor.
  • 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.

Making boiled peanuts in a pot

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.

Seasoned Boiled Peanuts on a serving spoon

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.

Raw green peanuts in a bowl

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!

Scooping Boiled Peanuts from the pot

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
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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!
Save Recipe Saved!
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 8 votes
Leave a Review

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: 473kcal   Carbohydrates: 20g   Protein: 21g   Fat: 38g   Saturated Fat: 6g   Sodium: 1185mg   Potassium: 740mg   Fiber: 9g   Vitamin A: 2495IU   Vitamin C: 5.9mg   Calcium: 185mg   Iron: 7.3mg
Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe
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.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sherry says

    September 12, 2024 at 12:12 pm

    5 stars
    Next time you make boiled peanuts. Use your recipe and add fresh chopped collard greens. Let them cook in with your peanuts and seasonings. We have a peanut depot here in Al. They do all types of boiled peanuts. They have some they do with sour kraut, jack Daniel’s, beer, Al’s , pickles, habanero, ghost peppers etc. You name it and they have it in their boiled Peanuts

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      September 12, 2024 at 2:55 pm

      I love it. Potlikker!! Doing this!

      Reply
  2. Scott K says

    May 20, 2024 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    I made these over the weekend and they turned out fantastic!! All I had on hand were jarred jalapenos but next time I'll go with fresh habaneros (although they still had a really nice heat this way too). The key as the recipe states is to let them sit overnight in the fridge to soak up all the good spices. My only suggestion is to double the recipe because they are so good. Thanks Mike!!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      May 20, 2024 at 11:50 am

      Nice! I love to hear it, Scott! Glad you enjoyed it! Awesome.

      Reply
  3. Bonnie says

    March 29, 2024 at 3:58 pm

    We’ve tried unsuccessfully to score raw peanuts inCanada’s north but no joy. Can we use roasted?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 30, 2024 at 7:40 am

      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.

      Reply
  4. alan hodge says

    March 23, 2024 at 10:41 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 23, 2024 at 10:46 am

      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!

      Reply
  5. Ramya says

    March 20, 2024 at 8:15 am

    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

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 20, 2024 at 8:23 am

      Enjoy, Ramya. YUM.

      Reply
  6. Melissa Wittman says

    March 20, 2024 at 7:12 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 20, 2024 at 8:00 am

      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.

      Reply
  7. Lisa Spencer says

    March 20, 2024 at 7:12 am

    5 stars
    You yankees got me rolling.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 20, 2024 at 7:57 am

      Good thing a southerner taught me how to make them. =)

      Reply
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