These Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts are about as easy as any snack can get. With 6 ingredients and the slow cooker, you'll have a snack with minimal effort that's ready to feed a crowd for any gathering or game day. Use your favorite seasoning blend or use the spices my family has been using for years and years.
There's something deeply comforting about the aroma of boiled peanuts simmering away and making these Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts makes the recipe truly hands-free! For our family, this salty, satisfying Southern treat is more than just a snack; it's a tradition that's been passed down through generations.
Thanks to the ease of using the slow cooker, forget babysitting the stove for hours, just set it and forget it for the simplest method. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, the raw peanuts are turned into a tender, seasoned delight, perfect for gatherings, game days, or just a quiet afternoon. If you love an easy snack my Three Pepper Salsa or Corn Queso are two other great options.
Reader Reviews: "Made these for Labor Day weekend and the kickoff of college football season. Fantastic!" -Trent
"Being married into a Georgia family, boiled peanuts are basically a requirement at every gathering. Tried this crock-pot version and it tastes just like what her family makes down in GA. Easy, salty, and legit Southern comfort." - Kyle
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- No need to keep an eye on the stove anymore. A classic recipe for boiled peanuts has you simmering on the stove for hours. Not with the crock pot, you can easily go about your day while they cook.
- Easy to customize with spice blends. Try chili powder, cajun seasoning, and more!
- Perfect as a snack or appetizer for a crowd. Picnics, potlucks, tailgates, or just to enjoy on a weekday afternoon, these peanuts are served at any occasion in the South.
What are boiled peanuts?
In the South, boiled peanuts are more than just a snack..they're a cultural icon!
While the basic method remains the same-boil peanuts in salted water for hours-variations include Cajun spices or garlic infusions to keep the tradition vibrant.
They remain popular around harvesting season, when green and raw peanuts are extra abundant (typically late August-October). Farmers started selling their versions of Boiled Peanuts on the sides of the roads, which they still do today! It's a fun tradition that hasn't faded!
Ingredients
- Raw Peanuts: The main ingredient, make sure they are raw with the shells on.
- Salt: Adds so much flavor.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: Two spices that infuse the peanuts with flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Key for adding smokiness in the slow cooker.
- Chili Powder: The blend that adds spice and additional smoky flavor.
- White Pepper: A little bit goes a long way here for another kick of heat.
- Beef Broth Paste or Dales Seasoning (Leave out if making Vegetarian): For added richness that makes my boiled peanuts stand out from the rest.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
- 8-10 Qt Crock-Pot - If making 4 lbs of peanuts, make sure you have a big enough Crock-Pot to fit them all in.
- Large Stock Pot - Hexclad Pots and Pans are my staple in the kitchen. You'll need at least a 5 Qt Pot to mix together seasonings for this recipe.
How to make crock pot boiled peanuts
Day One
- Step 1: Rinse off peanuts and drain. Repeat. Place clean peanuts into an 8-10 qt Crock-Pot.
- Step 2: In a large stock pot, mix together 3 Quarts Hot Water and your Soaking Seasonings: ⅓ Cup Salt, 3 tablespoon Garlic Powder, 3 tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 ½ tablespoon Smoked Paprika, 2 teaspoon Chili Powder, 1 tablespoon White Pepper.
- Step 3: Heat up stock pot on stove to dissolve seasonings and then pour over the peanuts. Let them soak over night (don't cook yet).
Day Two
- Step 4: Drain peanuts. Place back into the Crock-Pot.
- Step 5: Heat up 3 Quarts of water and mix in Cooking Seasonings: 4 tablespoon Salt, 1 ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 ½ tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 ½ tablespoon Smoke Paprika, 1 ½ teaspoon Chili Powder, 2 ½ tablespoon Beef Broth (or 1 ½ tablespoon Dales Seasoning).
- Step 6: Add seasoned water to peanuts in Crock Pot and stir. Cook peanuts on high for 8 hours. Drain, serve and enjoy!
Expert tips
- Don't skip the overnight soaking. This is the first step to softening the skins of the peanuts to help them cook to the correct texture in the slow cooker.
- Always set the slow cooker to high. You want maximum heat here to continue cooking the peanuts evenly.
- Serve the peanuts warm or room temperature. Whichever fits your fancy for appetizer and snack prep!
- We're using a handful of seasonings twice for maximum flavor. Once for the overnight soak, and the second time for the slow cooker "boil".
Substitutions and Variations
- Other add-ins to try:
- Garlic Cloves for more savory depth
- Crushed Red Peppers for more bite (along with chili powder). You can also add in Jalapeños or Habaneros.
- Cajun: Very popular option! Add in a cajun seasoning (like Slap Your Mama) or some Old Bay Seasoning to make it Cajun.
- Add more smokiness: Add in some extra smoked paprika and some liquid smoke if you're looking for a BBQ take on your Crock-Pot Boiled Peanuts.
- Make them herby:
- Citus Kick - Add lemons or limes
- Sweet and Savory - Cinnamon Sticks and Star Anise
- Aromatic - Add fresh herbs like Thyme and Rosemary
- For a vegetarian version: Stick with just salt. Often, Boiled Peanut stands will just have two options of "Cajun" or "Regular". Regular is just salt. Feel free to keep in simple!
Storage
Refrigerate any leftover boiled peanuts for up to 3 days in an airtight container. They can even be frozen in an airtight container for up to 4 months (don't freeze with liquid).
Be sure to thaw them overnight and let them sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to take the chill off.
fAQs
Yes, you can. Set the slow cooker to low for 18 to 24 hours or high for 10 to 12 hours.
It infuses the peanuts with richer flavor rather than water. You can easily use water too.
The process in the slow cooker takes 2 days to make, so plan accordingly. They are easy to prep ahead and warm in the slow cooker the day you plan to serve if desired.
Recipe Video
More delicious slow cooker recipes
Recipe
Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Lbs Raw Peanuts
- ½ Cup Kosher Salt separated
- 4½ tablespoon Garlic Powder separated
- 4½ tablespoon Onion Powder separated
- 3 tablespoon Smoked Paprika separated
- 3½ teaspoon Chili Powder separated
- 1 tablespoon White Pepper for overnight soak only
- 2½ tablespoon Beef Broth Paste for cook only. Or use 1½ tablespoon Dales Seasoning.
Instructions
- Rinse off peanuts and drain. Repeat. Place clean peanuts into an 8-10 qt Crock-Pot.
- In a large stock pot, mix together 3 Quarts Hot Water and your Soaking Seasonings: ⅓ Cup Salt, 3 tablespoon Garlic Powder, 3 tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 ½ tablespoon Smoked Paprika, 2 teaspoon Chili Powder, 1 tablespoon White Pepper.
- Heat up stock pot on stove to dissolve seasonings and then pour over the peanuts. Let them soak over night (don't cook yet).
- Drain peanuts. Place back into the Crock-Pot.
- Heat up 3 Quarts of water and mix in Cooking Seasonings: 4 tablespoon Salt, 1 ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 ½ tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 ½ tablespoon Smoke Paprika, 1 ½ teaspoon Chili Powder, 2 ½ tablespoon Beef Broth (or 1 ½ tablespoon Dales Seasoning).
- Add seasoned water to peanuts in Crock-Pot and stir. Cook peanuts on high for 8 hours.
Video
Notes
- Refrigerate any leftover boiled peanuts for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- They can even be frozen in an airtight container for up to 4 months (don't freeze with liquid).
- Be sure to thaw them overnight and let them sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to take the chill off.
Casey says
Just made these. Perfect amount of salt for us! Thanks for the recipe!
Trent says
Made these for Labor Day weekend and the kickoff of college football season. Fantastic!
Kyle Kay says
Being married into a Georgia family, boiled peanuts are basically a requirement at every gathering. Tried this crock-pot version and it tastes just like what her family makes down in GA. Easy, salty, and legit Southern comfort.