Boiled Peanuts

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2007

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Peanut Gallery

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (8)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(8)

Cook Time:
4 hr 0 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
approximately 4 pounds in shell and 2 pounds out of shell

Times:

Prep: 5 min
Inactive Prep: 30 min
Cook: 4 hr 0 min
Total:: 4 hr 35 min

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Ingredients

2 pounds in-shell raw Virginia or Valencia peanuts
3 ounces kosher salt
3 gallons water

Directions

Wash the peanuts in cool water until the water runs clear. Soak in cool water for 30 minutes to loosen any remaining dirt.

Drain and rinse the peanuts. Add the peanuts to a 12-quart pot along with the salt and 3 gallons of water. Stir well. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Check the texture of the peanut at this point for doneness. When done, boiled peanuts should have a similar texture to a cooked dry bean. It should hold its shape, but not crunch when bitten. Add more water throughout the cooking process, if needed. If necessary, continue cooking for 3 to 4 hours longer.

Drain the peanuts and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

*Cook's note: The cooking time can vary greatly depending on how fresh the peanuts are. The fresher the peanut, the less time it will take to cook.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Boiled Peanuts
null null, null 02-01-2010
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Question
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Can you use dry raw peanuts instead of green peanuts? I would like to make some out of season and would hate to ruin them if... you can't use them.Read more
recipe Boiled Peanuts
James gainesville, FL 06-09-2009
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Needs Salt
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

This recipe is a good place to start, but 1 oz of salt per gallon wasn't enough. Also, I used green peanuts (which are... superior to other types of peanuts when boiled imho) and they were at different stages of doneness before the recipe tells you to check them, maybe 2.5 hours in. I was surprised that Alton didn't mention green peanuts, since they are so much better when boiled and he usually knows stuff like that. Maybe the difference isn't common knowledge... I'd recommend you taste the liquid early on to make sure you don't end up with bland peanuts!Read more
recipe Boiled Peanuts
Thomas Bossier City, LA 05-29-2009
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Flaw in recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe has a flaw. It says add 2 pounds peanuts plus 3 gallons of water to a 12 quart pan. The 3 gallons of water would... fill the pot to the top with no room for the peanuts.Read more
recipe Boiled Peanuts
Dave Sierra Vista, AZ 02-13-2009
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Make them Cajon! Very Easy.......
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Add 1/2 cup of red pepper to kick it up a notch.
recipe Boiled Peanuts
Anonymous 06-05-2008
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hey
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

i like these a... lot.weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehoo.Read more
recipe Boiled Peanuts
Amber Austin, TX 01-04-2008
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Mmmm tasty
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Was looking for something for my friend who doesn't like Edamame and Sushi. So, I thought, boiled peanuts! I was born and... raised in Hawaii and Sashimi, sushi, boiled peanuts, wasabi edamame, dried squid, cuttle fish, is all up my alley when drinking beer. It's hard trying to get these Texans to try new things. *sigh* This recipe was very simple and tasty! I love you Alton!! :DRead more