Why wait all day for boiled peanuts when you can make tender, savory Instant Pot boiled peanuts in a fraction of the time?
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Boiled peanuts are an iconic southern snack. Here in the Southeast United States, you can find boiled peanuts at roadside stands all summer long.
Unlike roasted peanuts, boiled peanuts are soft and tender in texture, and they take on the flavor of whatever you put in the water you use to boil them. Feel free to make the garlicky boiled peanuts as listed or add your own spices, like cayenne, curry powder, cajun spice mix, etc.
These savory Instant Pot boiled peanuts taste like summer, and they're so simple to make in the pressure cooker. So grab yourself some raw or green peanuts, and let's get cooking!
✓ Ingredients and substitutions
- raw peanuts or green peanuts - Raw or green peanuts in the shell are key. Raw peanuts will take longer to cook than green peanuts, because they are cured.
- salt and seasonings - I'm using garlic and onion powders, but feel free to use whatever spices you like, such as cayenne or crushed red pepper, cajun spice, curry powder, etc.
🥣 How to make boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot
Wash the peanuts VERY WELL. Soak them in water, then transfer to a colander and rinse while using your hands to agitate, so you loosen up any grit.
Transfer washed the peanuts to your pressure cooker and add the salt and spices.
Add enough water to cover, and stir well. Cook at high pressure for 1 hour, then do a quick release.
Use a slotted spoon to remove one of the peanuts from the pot. Pop it open and taste it. If it's not easy to open and soft, bring the pot back to pressure for 5 to 10 more minutes, and do another quick release. Repeat until they're softened to preference.
Store Instant Pot boiled peanuts in an airtight container. They'll keep in the fridge for about a week to 10 days.
💡 Helpful tip
Take your time washing your peanuts! You want to wash them until the water is clear, or you'll end up with gritty boiled peanuts. To wash, soak them in water, then rinse well in a colander, using your hands to agitate the peanuts to release any grit.
🫙 Storage directions
These are super delicious served warm (as soon as they're cool enough to handle) but they're also delicious cold. They'll keep for around seven to 10 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
💬 Frequently asked questions
Raw peanuts or green peanuts really are critical to this recipe. Roasted peanuts won't result in the proper texture.
Here in the Southeast United States, you can find raw peanuts or green peanuts at most regular grocery stores in the summer. Green peanuts will cook faster than raw ones, because green peanuts are not cured.
This can mean that the peanuts you bought were old. Like beans, they can take a lot longer to cook if they are older. Raw peanuts also need longer to cook. Just keep cooking until they soften to preference.
You can drain the peanuts after boiling or store them in the brine. If you leave them in the brine, the flavor will deepen over time, so it really depends on if you want the flavor to get stronger or not.
📖 Recipe
🥜 Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw or green peanuts in the shell washed well and drained.
- ¼ cup salt
- ¼ cup garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- water
Instructions
- Wash the peanuts VERY WELL. Soak them in water, then transfer to a colander and rinse while using your hands to agitate, so you loosen up any grit.
- Transfer washed the peanuts to your pressure cooker and add the salt and spices. Add enough water to cover, and stir well.
- Cook at high pressure for 1 hour, then do quick release.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove one of the peanuts from the pot. Pop it open and taste it. If it's not easy to open and soft, bring the pot back to pressure for 5 to 10 more minutes, and do another quick release. Peanuts can vary in how hard they are, so cooking time will vary. Cooking time also depends on how soft or firm you like your boiled peanuts. If they're still not done after another round of cooking, do another 5 to 10 minutes, and repeat until they're softened to preference.
- Store Instant Pot boiled peanuts in an airtight container. They'll keep in the fridge for about a week to 10 days.
Dee
I'm going to attempt this now. Will let ya know how it turns out
Katie
I have never had a boiled peanut! But if I can make it in an Instant Pot, I'm IN! Love this for kids + summer.
Becky Striepe
You are in for such a treat!
Dianne
I've never had boiled peanuts! I love peanuts, though, so I'm dying to try them. We can't get them anywhere around here, so I love that you've created a recipe for me to make them at home.
Becky Striepe
Hooray! Enjoy them, Dianne!
Cadry
Looks awesome, Becky! Where do you find raw peanuts in the shell? All of the peanuts in the shell that I see are already roasted.
Becky Striepe
Hmm I wonder if they are less common outside of the SE United States. I got mine at Publix. I've also seen raw peanuts not in the shell, but I haven't tested with those. You might not need to cook them as long.
Jen
You actually have to cook raw peanuts longer and/or soak them overnight.
Becky Striepe
That's the beauty of the pressure cooker! They cook up much more quickly under high pressure.