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Flavor-Filled Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe

5 from 84 reviews

This recipe for Flavor-Filled Cajun Boiled Peanuts delivers a spicy, tangy, and satisfying snack perfect for game days or gatherings. Featuring a blend of Creole Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, garlic, and a hint of hickory liquid smoke, these peanuts are simmered slowly until tender, absorbing all the bold flavors for a truly authentic Southern treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 lbs raw peanuts, in-shell (or green peanuts)
  • ¼ cup Creole Cajun Seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle or can of beer (optional)
  • 34 quarts water, or enough to cover peanuts

Instructions

  1. Rinse Peanuts: Place the raw peanuts in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cool water at least twice. Inspect and remove any debris or damaged peanuts before cooking.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Transfer the rinsed peanuts to a large stockpot or Dutch oven (7-8 quarts capacity). Add Creole Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, Old Bay seasoning, crushed red pepper, brown sugar, crushed garlic, hickory liquid smoke, and beer if using.
  3. Add Water and Stir: Pour in enough water to fully cover the peanuts. Gently stir all ingredients to evenly distribute the seasonings and combine the flavors.
  4. Bring to Boil and Simmer: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot leaving a small vent for steam to escape, and let it gently simmer.
  5. Simmer for 7-8 Hours: Cook the peanuts by simmering for 7-8 hours or longer depending on your desired texture. Check the liquid level every hour and add warm or boiled water as needed to keep peanuts submerged in the flavorful broth.
  6. Check Texture and Taste: After several hours, taste test the peanuts. They should be semi-soft on the outside with a tender interior, but you can adjust cooking time to your preference for softness.
  7. Serve or Store: Enjoy the boiled peanuts fresh and warm. Alternatively, allow them to cool to room temperature, then store them with the cooking liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator to let the flavors intensify.
  8. Reheat Before Eating: When ready to serve later, gently reheat the peanuts on the stovetop with their broth and enjoy the rich, spicy flavors again.

Notes

  • Using green peanuts will yield a softer texture, but in-shell raw peanuts work well too.
  • If you don’t have beer, water alone works fine for boiling.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper to your heat preference.
  • Keep an eye on liquid levels to prevent peanuts from drying out during the long simmer.
  • Storing peanuts in their cooking liquid helps them absorb and retain flavor.

Keywords: boiled peanuts, cajun peanuts, cajun snack, southern snack, spicy peanuts, boiled peanut recipe, game day snacks