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
Time needed: 1 day and 5 minutes.
Making boiled peanuts in the slow cooker is super simple. Plan ahead of time though because these take 24 hours to cook.
- Add peanuts to a slow cooker.
- Add sliced jalapeños.
- Add crushed garlic cloves.
- Sprinkle with salt and spices, if using.
- Pour in water to completely cover the peanuts.
Cover and cook for 12 hours. Stir and cook for another 12 hours.
- Serve, and enjoy!
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
Decrease the amount of salt to 1 tablespoon, and you'll get about 90mg of sodium per serving or about 4% of the RDA.
As the recipe is written, one serving has 237mg sodium which is 10% of the recommended amount per day.
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
Slow Cooker Jalapeño Garlic Boiled Peanuts
Ingredients
- 2 pounds in-shell peanuts raw
- 8-10 cups water
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 2 small jalapeños chopped
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder optional
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker.
- Cover. Set to High and cook for 12 hours.
- Stir and add more water if necessary.
- Set to Low. Cover and cook for 10-14 hours, depending on your desired tenderness of the peanuts. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
What to Use in This Recipe
Meme
This post was originally published on February 25, 2016. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.
Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts Nutrition Facts
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I've never had boiled peanuts, let alone done in the slow cooker! How awesome!
Meme says
Rebecca, you need to change that as soon as possible!! They are DELISH!!!! 🙂
Marisa Moore (@marisamoore) says
Being the proud southerner that I am, I love boiled peanuts. I tend to just happen upon them when I'm in random places - in the country. I've never tried making them at home but you make it look so easy and tasty. This recipe is definitely worthy of breaking out the slow cooker!
P.S. Great photos!
Meme says
Thanks lady! I am such a sucker for boiled peanuts from random little country stores! They are the best 🙂
I was shocked at how easy these were to make, and I seriously can't get enough
Emily @ Sinful Nutrition says
Boiled peanuts bring me back to my time in Alabama! I attempted to make them once, but neglected to put in enough water. They were more like roasted and boiled peanuts at that point. 🙂 Your recipe looks much more foolproof!
Meme says
Haha!! They are definitely a Southern thing 😉
Hate that they didn't work out on your first try, but you should totally try these!
Jeremiah says
This was a fantastic recipe. Because I love super spicy food, I doubled the jalapenos and added 3 Tablespoons of cayenne. It finally had the "kick" that I liked. Thanks so much for the recipe! I love being able to use my slow cooker to make boiled peanuts and have the wonderful aromas fill the kitchen!
Meme says
AH!!! I am SOOOO happy you enjoyed them! Aren't they delicious?!?! I love that you upped the spicy factor because I think I probably would next time 😉 I just know most of my readers aren't super spicy lovers like me haha.
Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment!
Lorie says
Give me all the spicy snacks please and thank you!
Liz says
I've never thought to try this ! Now I have too!
Jeremiah Courter says
Alright, so I'm using this recipe for like the 12th time already. Exceptional tasting boiled peanuts. I recommend it to everyone.
Some new variations I have done besides adding more cayenne pepper and jalapenos is pearl onions, two TBSP of dill, lots of freshly grounded 4 peppercorn blend.
Delicious!
Meme says
Yessssssss!! This made my day! So glad you came back to share your variations — I need to try those soon!
Jeremiah Courter says
Okay I promise this will be my last review, but I just LOVE these boiled peanuts!
So for starters, here is my "staple" or "default" recipe:
Tons of freshly minced garlic
Lots of dill...oh so much dill
4 TBSP of super hot cayenne pepper (I use 100,000 HU cayenne pepper)
Only 1 TBSP of pink salt AND 1-2 TBSP of low sodium soy sauce (soy sauce adds a wonderful complexity to the salty broth)
3 jalapenos
Now what I usually do is ON TOP of the ingredients above, I will supplement with further items. Recently I have tried diced red bell pepper (which adds the slightest hint of sweetness to the broth) and I also added nutritional yeast.
And lastly, the broth is so good, just cook a small batch of your favorite noodles, put them in a bowl, and then ladle the excess peanut broth over the noodles. Or even of a bowl of freshly steamed veggies!
Cheers!
Meme says
Holy moly!! This is brilliant!! Thank you times one million for coming back to comment and share!!!! (And you can review recipes all day long if you want haha!!)
FeLo says
Just made this and OMG!
I've had boiled peanuts once about seven years ago and never thought to make them myself, I followed the time but didn't have salt, garlic cloves or jalapeños, so i tweeked it a little.
I instead used my homemade garlic paste, Cajun seasoning, roasted garlic and herb seasoning, cayenne and adobo (in place of salt) I just had some and can't wait for the hubby to get home and try them, he is so curious!
Meme says
That's awesome!!! I'm so excited you liked them and that you were able to make them with what you had on hand! Thanks for coming back to share! 🙂
Paula Highsmith says
northern girl southern husband he bought a can of boiled peanuts to take with him golfing. I said I could make them. I got some raw peanuts from nuts.com and went to work. I made them with beer/jalapano/garlic/crab boil/crushed red peppers. What a treat they are delicious sucking those shells before I got to the peanut what a treat. My new hustle (smile)
Meme says
ahh yay!! I love it! Glad y'all enjoyed them 🙂