Enjoy a taste of the South with homemade boiled peanuts. These briny peanuts are a nostalgic treat worth savoring.

Stove top boiled peanuts are a Southern delicacy, requiring a patient simmer to achieve the perfect tender interiors that make this savory, flavor-infused treat a generational classic.

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Ah, boiled peanuts – the epitome of Southern comfort and a nostalgic treat that takes me back to the carefree days of my childhood.

Growing up, one of my fondest memories involves buying these salty gems from the “peanut man” who set up shop by the railroad tracks.

We loved coming home with our brown paper bags filled with piping hot, briny goodness, and enjoying them together on the front porch.

It was a shared experience that defined the regional appeal of boiled peanuts.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve carried the love for boiled peanuts with me.

In fact, they were one of my biggest pregnancy cravings, so I’m no stranger to making homemade boiled peanuts. I’ve made Instant Pot boiled peanuts and crock pot boiled peanuts many, many times!

But not everybody has those appliances, so I’m sharing how to make boiled peanuts on the stovetop! a

It’s a process that takes a bit of time but is well worth the wait. It’s a labor of love that results in tender peanuts that are infused with just the right amount of flavor.

More Boiled Peanut Recipes:

• The Best Boiled Peanuts Recipes
• Instant Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
• Crockpot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
• Instant Pot Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts
• Nashville Hot Boiled Peanuts

Delicious Homemade Boiled Peanuts Recipe

The magic of boiled peanuts lies in their unique texture – a tender interior similar to a firm bean – that sets them apart from their raw or roasted counterparts.

Achieving this perfect texture requires patience and a slow, gentle simmer on the stovetop.

To capture that ideal consistency, peanuts typically need to be boiled for an extended period, often ranging from two to four hours.

This slow-cooking process allows the flavors to permeate the peanuts thoroughly, transforming them into savory, succulent morsels.

I have found 3 1/2 hours to be the ideal time for boiling peanuts, but you can always taste as you go until they are cooked to your liking.

Overcooking can cause them to become too mushy, so just be sure to check them every so often.

How to Make Boiled Peanuts on the Stove

It’s really easy to make this salty snack!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Raw Peanuts in the Shell
• Coarse Sea Salt
• Water

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe card is available below)

Soak the peanuts. First, you’ll sort and rinse the peanuts, then soak them in cold water for 30 minutes.

Cook the peanuts. Next, you’ll add them to a 5-quart stockpot or dutch oven.

Sprinkle the salt over the top of the peanuts and then pour water over the peanuts until the liquid is about an inch higher than the top of the peanuts.

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high and let the peanuts continue to cook, partially covered, at a low boil.

Stir occasionally, cooking for about 3 ½ hours (or until the desired softness has been reached).

Continue to add more water as needed during the boiling process, to ensure the water level doesn’t get too low.

Serve the peanuts. Last, you’ll turn off the heat and allow the peanuts to soak for another hour or two if time allows. This helps infuse them with more flavor!

Serve and enjoy warm, or allow to cool before serving.

Notes and Adaptations:

• You want to make sure you’re using raw peanuts, not roasted peanuts. If you have access to “green” peanuts, that will work as well. Green peanuts are raw peanuts that haven’t been dried yet, so they’re only available for a short time each year and can be harder to find. Most supermarkets carry regular raw, dried peanuts year-round, often in the produce department.
• Everyone’s preference for saltiness is different. Some people prefer to use just 1/4 cup of salt, whereas others use as much as 1/2 cup. I personally prefer 1/3 cup, but your tastes may vary.
• This is a great recipe as is, but you’re welcome to add seasonings to taste, if you’d like! Some people add dry crab boil or other Cajun spice (such as Old Bay seasoning), hot sauce, red pepper flakes, liquid smoke, garlic powder, etc.
• Leftover peanuts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Be sure to save this recipe to your snack board on Pinterest!