Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts

Boiled peanuts in a Crock Pot are a super simple and filling snack. Great recipe for low-stress parties and tailgates since you need to start them 24 hours in advance.

About Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts

Boiled peanuts are highly underrated. Simple, salty, and snackable.

They are a Southern staple, and you'll find them in many convenience stores, gas stations, and other roadside treasures.

You likely won't want to eat boiled peanuts on the go, unless you're stocked with napkins.

Boiled peanuts are a bit messy since they are cooked in water, and some of the water is absorbed into the peanut shell.

When you pop open the peanut shell, water will often squirt out -- which is also one of the fun parts of eating boiled peanuts.

Yet, they are great for serving at parties, tailgates, game day celebrations, or on the boat.

Despite the fact that they're called "boiled" peanuts, you'll be using a slow cooker to cook your peanuts for this recipe.

This means less work and hands-on time for you since you can simply toss everything into a slow cooker and walk away.

Ingredients

Peanuts: You'll want raw in-shell peanuts to make crockpot boiled peanuts. If you accidentally buy roasted in-shell peanuts, that's ok. This recipe has been tested with them, and it turned out fine.

Jalapeños: The jalapeños give your peanuts a lot of flavor and you can adjust the amount based on your personal preferences.

Garlic: For another flavor enhancer for these peanuts, you'll add fresh garlic. Garlic powder could also be used.

Salt: Boiled peanuts are pretty salty, so if you're looking for a low-sodium snack, this isn't it. If you do want to make them lower-sodium, you could use only one tablespoon of salt.

Spices: Adding garlic powder and cayenne pepper is completely optional but adds extra flavor. Onion powder, red pepper flakes, or paprika could all be used in place of these. Or omit them entirely.

Water: You need enough water to cover the peanuts by about an inch. You might have to add more water after 12 hours of cooking since the peanuts absorb some of the water. You want your peanuts covered in water, so they don't dry out while cooking.

Cost of Recipe

• Raw in-shell peanuts: $7.32
• Salt 3 tablespoons: $0.10
• Jalapeños 2: $0.28
• Garlic 4 cloves: $0.24
• Garlic powder 1 teaspoon: $0.16
• Cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon: $0.04

TOTAL COST: $7.90 or $0.26/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2022)

Note that this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

How to Make Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts

Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts Recipe Tips

Variations

Ingredient Options

Jalapeños: Use 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper in place of the two jalapeños.

Garlic: Use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder in place of the 4 cloves of garlic.

Alternative Cooking Methods

You can also prepare boiled peanuts using a large pot on the stove, but the slow cooker makes it much easier.

To make on the stove:

Add all the ingredients to a very large stock pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, stirring every hour or so, for at least 8 hours or until the peanuts are soft.

How to Make Allergy-Friendly

Jalapeño Garlic Boiled Peanuts are already gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan/vegetarian. Obviously, since the main ingredient is peanuts, they cannot be made nut-free.

How to Fix a Mistake

Peanuts are still very crunchy: The peanuts need longer to cook, so cover and cook for at least 1-2 hours more.

Make-Ahead Ideas

These boiled peanuts must be made ahead of time, so be sure to plan these in advance. You'll need about 24 hours for them to cook.

You can prepare these up to a week in advance and either serve cold, at room temperature or warm in a pot or slow cooker. Be sure to keep the cooking liquid with them, so they don't dry out.

Storage Suggestions

They keep in the fridge for about a week, and they also freeze well. Make sure you freeze them with a little of the cooking liquid so they don't dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition Benefits

Peanuts are an excellent source of niacin, Vitamin E, copper, and manganese. They're a good source of biotin, magnesium, and folate.

One serving of this recipe has 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber to help you feel satisfied.

While boiled peanuts are usually high in sodium, these peanuts have a lower amount than most. However, these wouldn't be recommended for someone who is trying to limit their sodium intake.

What to Serve with Jalapeño Boiled Peanuts

Boiled peanuts are a pretty salty snack and these have a nice kick to them, so I recommend an ice-cold beverage like a big glass of water, a beer, or a Yellowhammer drink. If you're serving at a party or tailgate, serve these with a few other appetizers like lower sodium salsa, hummus deviled eggs, or wasabi edamame dip.

Final thoughts:

Salty and snackable, you'll love these boiled peanuts made in a slow cooker. These are highly delicious, and shelling the peanuts is really fun, especially when spicy, salty peanut liquid shoots out of each peanut.

MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

• Slow Cooker Spinach and Crab Dip
• Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna
• Salsa Verde Pork

Meme

This post was originally published on February 25, 2016. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

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Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts Nutrition Facts