The Best Spicy Cajun Boiled Peanuts Recipe

Cajun boiled peanuts are a perfect savory and spicy snack that’s great for snacking on your own or sharing with a crowd.

Serves: 12 Time: 4 hours or 20 hours Cookbook: Paula Deen Magazine Online

If you visit the south, you’ll see signs at gas stations, roadside stands, farmers markets, and truck stops advertising “Boiled peanuts sold here.” They’ll hand them to you in a small paper bag or styrofoam cup. And if you don’t know better, you might blow right by those opportunities to enjoy one of the most iconic snacks in the south.

But as southerners know, spicy boiled peanuts are a southern tradition that dates back to the time of the Civil War – and they are not to be missed! Today’s boiled peanuts recipe comes to us from southern cook extraordinaire, Paula Deen. Paula’s recipes are drawn from her Georgia roots, southern upbringing, and years of cooking for her family and friends.

While this southern snack is enjoyed all over the southern United States, from North Carolina and South Carolina to Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, everyone has their own version and spice blend that makes it uniquely their own. But you don’t have to wait until your favorite corner store boils up a new batch, or you take that long-awaited vacation to the south to enjoy them. With Paula’s master recipe, boiled peanuts are officially available year-round.

Jump Ahead:

• ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 🥜 Ingredients Needed to Make Cajun Boiled Peanuts
• 🍴 Equipment You’ll Need in the Kitchen
• 🥄 How to Make Cajun Boiled Peanuts
• ♾️ Variations on Cajun Boiled Peanuts
• ❓ Cajun Boiled Peanuts: Tips, Tricks, and FAQs

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Great for Snacking: Put this recipe in the category of flavorful snacks enjoyed by all. Peanuts are a great source of healthy fats and protein, so it’s healthy too.

Crowd Favorite: Cajun peanuts are a crowd favorite with everyone in the south and are enjoyed at reunions, Saturday hang-outs, get-togethers during football season, and any other reason you might come up with. They’ll disappear faster than Aunt Millie’s famous potato salad.

Easy Peasy: Boiled peanuts are super easy to make, whether you plan to make them on the stovetop or go the route of crock pot boiled peanuts. The waiting time is unattended and the eating time will come faster than you think.

Ingredients Needed to Make Cajun Boiled Peanuts

• Shell-On Peanuts: Traditionally, this recipe calls for green raw peanuts still in the shell. However, these can be hard to find. Happily, we discovered that you can use already roasted shell-on peanuts and they’ll work just as well as their unroasted cousins.
• Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning adds a perfect flavor profile to the peanuts, making them both savory and spicy. You can find this blend at most grocery stores whether you’re in the south or not. It might also be called Creole seasoning.
• Garlic Cloves: Two garlic cloves is perfect for the amount of peanuts you’ll boil. You can also use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch.

Equipment Needed In the Kitchen

Stock Pot

Buy Now →

Crockpot

Buy Now →

Spider

Buy Now →

Strainer

Buy Now →

• Large Crockpot and/or Large Stockpot: You’ll need a large crockpot (4+ quarts) and/or a large pot that is big enough to hold 2 pounds of unshelled peanuts plus ten cups of water.
• Spider or Strainer Baskets: When ready to serve, you’ll need to remove the peanuts from the water. A spider is perfect for this task. A slotted spoon or strainer baskets will also work.

How to Make Cajun Boiled Peanuts

If you live in the south, it’s about time you started making boiled peanuts! If you don’t live in the south, it’s about time… You get the idea!

The first boil

The peanuts will be boiled twice. Once to get them started, and a second time for the long boil that will soften them up.

First, place the fresh green peanuts and enough water to cover them all in a large pot. Then, bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.

Once the peanuts have come to a boil, drain the peanuts into a strainer, and rinse them with fresh water.

The second boil

Place peanuts back into the stock pot (if boiling on the stovetop) or in a crockpot (if using a slow cooker).

Add 10 cups of water, and the spices, and mix well. The top of the peanuts will slightly stick out of the water before the boiling begins.

If using the stovetop method, plan on a boiling time of 4 hours, until the shells and peanuts are thoroughly soft.

If using a slow cooker, set the temperature to low and the cooking time to 20 hours.

Season and serve

When ready to eat or serve, sample a peanut or two for flavor. Add more seasoning to the water to match your personal preference and stir well.

Remove peanuts from boiling water with a spider or slotted spoon and allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

Variations on Cajun Boiled Peanuts

When it comes to boiled peanuts, cajun flavor is the way to go. But if you feel like being a little adventurous, here are some other options to try.

Spicy, Spicy Cajun Boiled Peanuts: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or a splash or two of hot sauce to the mix to boost the flavor and the heat of your boiled peanuts.

Sweet and Spicy Cajun Boiled Peanuts: For a unique twist, add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon along with the cajun spice, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.

Sweet Boiled Peanuts: If you like the idea of a sweet treat, leave out the cajun seasoning, and add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of sugar, and stir to dissolve. Allow to cook for the full time and enjoy your sweet boiled peanuts.

Plain Boiled Peanuts: For tamed-down boiled peanuts, add seasoned salt instead of cajun seasoning, or 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and a splash of liquid smoke. This will give the peanuts some good flavor without the spice.

Cajun Boiled Peanuts: Tips, Tricks, and FAQs

More Southern Food to Enjoy

Love southern food? So do we! Check out these scrumptious southern-chef approved recipes!

• Brenda Gantt’s Buttermilk Biscuits: From-scratch buttermilk biscuits that are easy as pie and just as delicious.
• Pioneer Woman’s White Southern Gravy: A decadent gravy best served over steaming hot buttermilk biscuits.
• Scott Peacock’s Peach Iced Tea: The perfect combination of sweet and refreshing!

Print