Description
Experience the authentic Southern tradition with this recipe for Southern Boiled Peanuts. These savory, tender peanuts are boiled in a flavorful seasoned brine, offering a unique snack that’s perfect for gatherings or a tasty treat. Choose from classic Cajun, lemon pepper, or tangy salt and vinegar flavor variations to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb green raw peanuts
- 4 cups water
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons kosher salt (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons kosher salt (or to taste)
Salt and Vinegar Seasoning
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 2.5 cups apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Rinse Peanuts: Thoroughly rinse the green raw peanuts under cold water to remove any dirt or debris, ensuring they are clean and ready for cooking.
- Prepare Seasoned Brine: Choose your seasoning flavor: For Cajun, combine Old Bay seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper into the water; for Lemon Pepper, add lemon pepper seasoning and kosher salt; or for Salt and Vinegar, mix kosher salt and apple cider vinegar with water to create a tangy brine.
- Boil the Peanuts: Place the rinsed peanuts in a large pot and cover them with the prepared seasoned water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer the peanuts uncovered for approximately 2 hours (120 minutes), or until the peanuts are soft and the flavors have infused thoroughly.
- Check and Adjust: Occasionally check the water level during cooking, adding more water if necessary to keep the peanuts submerged and prevent burning.
- Drain and Serve: Once cooked to desired tenderness, drain the peanuts from the brine. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a delicious homemade snack, these Southern boiled peanuts offer three seasoning variations: Cajun, lemon pepper, or salt and vinegar.
- Green raw peanuts are essential for the authentic texture; dried or roasted peanuts will not yield the same results.
- Cooking times may vary slightly based on peanut freshness and stove heat, so adjust simmering time to achieve preferred softness.
- Boiled peanuts can be stored in the refrigerator in their brine for up to a week and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (about 4 oz peanuts with brine)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
