Southern Boiled Peanuts

Makes: 8 cups
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Pressure release: 1 hour natural release
Cool time: 1½ hours

A Southern specialty, boiled peanuts are a low-carb, high-fiber, high-protein snack. The peanuts are pressure-cooked in their shells with just water and sea salt, becoming tender and well-seasoned throughout. Enjoy at room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition (per ½ cup)

  • 160 calories\
  • 11 g fat\
  • 8 g carbohydrates\
  • 4 g fiber\
  • 7 g protein

Ingredients

  • 1 pound raw jumbo peanuts in the shell\
  • 3 tablespoons fine sea salt\
  • 9 cups water

Instructions

  1. Rinse the peanuts
    Remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot and add the peanuts. Cover with water and agitate with your hands to loosen any dirt. Drain in a colander, rinse the pot, return the peanuts to it, and place the inner pot back into the Instant Pot housing.

  2. Add brine
    Add the salt and 9 cups water to the pot and stir to dissolve the salt. Place a small plate on top of the peanuts to weigh them down and keep them submerged.

  3. Pressure cook
    Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Steam setting and cook for 1 hour at low pressure.
    (The pot will take about 20 minutes to come up to pressure before cooking begins.)

  4. Natural release
    When cooking ends, let the pressure release naturally for about 1 hour.

  5. Cool in brine
    Open the pot and, using heat-resistant mitts, remove the inner pot. Let the peanuts cool to room temperature in the brine, about 1½ hours.

  6. Store and serve
    Serve at room temperature or chilled. Transfer peanuts and brine to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Use raw, not roasted, peanuts for this recipe.\
  • Keeping the peanuts submerged ensures even seasoning.\
  • Flavor variations can include Cajun seasoning or crushed red pepper added to the brine.