Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 63 votes

Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe (3 Ways!)

How to make Boiled Peanuts in the Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or on the Stovetop!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Total Time
1 hr 38 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 333 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds raw peanuts in shells (or green peanuts)
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (or creole seasoning)
  • 1-3 teaspoons crushed red pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4+ quarts water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. INSTANT POT BOILED PEANUTS: (77-93 Minutes) Place the peanuts in a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot. Add the salt, cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper, liquid smoke, and garlic powder. Pour in 4 quarts water... Or enough to cover the peanuts when you push them down.
  2. Lock the lid into place. Set on Pressure Cook High for 77 minutes for green peanuts or 93 minutes for raw peanuts. Once the timer goes off, perform a natural release. Once the steam button drops it's safe to open the Instant Pot.
  3. STOVETOP BOILED PEANUTS: (2-8 Hours) Place a large 6-8 quart dutch oven over high heat. Add the peanuts, salt, cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper, liquid smoke, and garlic powder. Pour in 4+ quarts of water, or enough to cover the peanuts when they are pushed down.
  4. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir well, then lower the heat to a mild simmer. Cover and cook for 2-3 hours for green peanuts or 6-8 hours for raw peanuts. Check the water level every hour and add warm tap water if needed.
  5. CROCK POT BOILED PEANUTS: (22-38 Hours) Set out a large 6+ quart crock pot. Add the peanuts, salt, cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper, liquid smoke, and garlic powder. Pour in 3-4 quarts water, or enough to cover the peanuts when they are pressed down.
  6. Cover the crock pot and set on low. Cook for 22-24 hours for green peanuts, and 36-38 hours for raw peanuts. Add water every 8 hours if needed.

Notes

  • Best Method? All three methods create zesty plump boiled peanuts. One is not necessarily better than the other, However, I'm listing the methods in order of fastest to slowest cooking time. Sometimes it's nice to have them in a hurry, and other times it's better to let them slow cook overnight!
  • What Should the Texture Be Like? If you've never tried boiled peanuts, you might not know when they are done cooking. Old-timers usually like them to be very swollen and soft, like overly cooked beans popping out of their skins. However, I prefer them to be a little more firm, like the texture of a chickpea. Really, it's up to you! Try them at different stages of cooking and decide for yourself.
  • Raw vs Green Peanuts - Raw Peanuts are raw and dried. Green Peanuts are fresh from the field and more perishable, so keep them in the refrigerator before cooking. Because raw peanuts are dried, they do take longer to cook than green peanuts. See the instructions above for cooking times.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 333kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 15g (30%) Fat 29g (45%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Sodium 4760mg (198%) Potassium 491mg (14%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1367IU (27%) Calcium 83mg (8%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 333

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 333kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 15g 30%
Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Sodium 4760mg 198%
Potassium 491mg 10%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1367IU 27%
Calcium 83mg 8%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.