My pastor is from Florida. One day at church he asked me if I had had boiled peanuts. “Yes!” was my instant reply, but then I couldn’t really place where I had had them. I thought it was in Mexico. He said they were a common snack in Florida. So on our recent trip to Florida I found a gas station/gift store that was selling boiled peanuts outside of the store. I HAD to try them. As I opened a shell, I was sure I had done this before. Then I popped a peanut in my mouth. It was an instant feeling of going home. The texture of the peanut was very familiar, but the flavor was different. These had a spicy, Cajun flavor. Still I thought that maybe I had eaten boiled peanuts in Louisiana when we lived there.
They were so good that when I came home I wanted more. I would make them! Still unsure of where my boiled peanut memory came from, I googled “Mexico boiled peanuts.” Nothing. I tried, “Mexican street snack boiled peanuts.” Still nothing came up. I mean nothing at all. Well, it must have been in Louisiana I decided. I researched making boiled peanuts, and it’s so simple y’all. It just takes many hours of boiling, but on a day when you’re home, they are so easy to make.
First I tried a Cajun recipe. My clan said it tasted just like the ones we tried in Florida. It was pretty close anyway. Then I made just plain salted boiled peanuts. That was definitely what I remembered. When I went home for Christmas, I asked my sister Sara about it. “Oh yes, she replied, when we were little in Mexico we used to buy boiled peanuts on the street!” Mystery solved. Still, most of my family prefer the Cajun recipe. You should try it! Here’s what you need!
I wondered if raw peanuts would be hard to find. I saw online that my Walmart carries them. Sure enough they are on an end cap close to the produce section of my Walmart. 
First, rinse the peanuts well. Leave them soaking in water about 30 minutes. Then rinse them again to make sure to loosen and remove any dirt on the peanuts. 
I used an 8 quart pot. It is the biggest one I have. After I washed the peanuts I filled the pot with water all the way to the top. Place the bag of Crab Boil in the pot. Next bring the pot to a boil on high heat. Once the peaunuts are boiling, continue to boil on medium heat. 
The peanuts are highly seasoned, but not too spicy for those more sensitive pallets! Mmmm! Warm boiled peanuts with an ice cold Coke is the perfect snack…pretty much anytime! 
I don’t remember eating them in Mexico. I thought we had them in Louisiana, but I didn’t remember the Cajun seasoning, just salt. It may be that I had them before that in my school days in the South–South Carolina? Alabama? I bought them in a can one time. They were edible, but not wonderful
These are awesome. You rock! Next time you’re in the homeland (FL) you’ll have to try cuban sandwiches (the best also from gas station/deli). I tried to find raw peanuts here but didn’t have any success. Now I know where to get cajun boiled peanuts in TX.
Ok, can you pick me up a bag of those peanuts next time your at Walmart? Ours doesn’t carry them. My family is super excited about trying this.
These are very easy to follow directions. My grandfather used to have a recipe similar to this so it brings back great memories. Thanks for posting it.
You are very welcome! 🙂
How did you store leftover peanuts?
I store them in the fridge in the pot, liquid peanuts and all.
Mine boiled for 8 hours and still kind of crunchy. Used raw peanuts. Any help?
Evonne I’m not sure why they wouldn’t get soft. Mine always have. Altitude? Freshness of the peanuts? I know with pinto beans if they are old sometimes they don’t ever get soft.
I think you salted too early.
We live on the Alabama Gulf Coast and purchase FRESH green peanuts from our LOCAL peanut farmer, and of course by the bushel I must add!
We have “Boil Day” and boil the whole bushel. After cooling, We then store them in gallon ziplock bags in the FREEZER!! We are die-hard Bama fans and each game day we grab a bag or two out of the freezer and just drop the frozen peanuts in the crock pot, set on high, and then I pour boiling water over them until covered. YUMMMMM!!!
Always Requested! Super Delicious!! And Never Leftovers!!
ROLL TIDE ROLL
Fun!! Oh I haven’t tried freezing them. I am going to do that with my next batch and they’ll be ready whenever I want some. Thanks so much!!
Can you use liqid crab boil? Or the pouch is better?
I’ve never tried it with the liquid. Maybe someone else will chime in here.
You can use the liquid. And you can also freeze your boiled peanuts after cooking them if you want to make a large amount at a time. You can throw them in the microwave and heat them up and they will taste just like the day you made them.
Thank you!!!
thank you for sharing! I’m from Hawai’i & boiled peanuts are kind of a thing here. I sell them but do a totally different flavor than this. gonna try this out right now 🤣