Classic Cajun Boiled Peanuts

Ingredients

• 2 lbraw green (unroasted) peanuts, in the shell
• 1 cupkosher salt
• 1/4 cupCajun seasoning
• 2 tbspcayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 4garlic cloves, smashed
• 2bay leaves
• 1lemon, halved
• water, to cover

Nutrition / serving

No nutrition data for this recipe — tap Nutrition in Ask Chef AI above for an estimate.

Method

1. 1

   Rinse the raw peanuts thoroughly to remove field dirt.

2. 2

   Place peanuts in a large stockpot and add salt, Cajun seasoning, cayenne if using, garlic, bay leaves, and lemon halves.

3. 3

   Add water to cover the peanuts by 2–3 inches. Weigh the peanuts down with a heatproof plate so they stay submerged.

4. 4

   Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, checking the water level occasionally and adding more boiling water as needed to keep the peanuts submerged.

   ⏱Start 3:30:00
5. 5

   Start tasting a peanut around the 3-hour mark — they're done when the shells are soft and the peanuts inside are tender all the way through, similar in texture to a cooked bean, not crunchy.

6. 6

   Once tender, turn off the heat and let the peanuts soak in the brine at least 1 hour (longer soaking makes them saltier and more flavorful) before draining.

   ⏱Start 1:00:00
7. 7

   Serve warm, in the shell, with plenty of napkins.