Spicy Cajun Boiled Peanuts

Dive into the bold, savory flavors of the South with this Spicy Cajun Boiled Peanuts recipe—a quintessential snack that's equal parts addictive and packed with spice. Featuring raw green peanuts simmered for hours in a seasoned bath of Cajun spices, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and a splash of hot sauce, this dish delivers the perfect balance of heat and smoky richness. With minimal prep time and a long, slow cook that infuses every bite with mouthwatering flavor, these tender peanuts are a surefire crowd-pleaser at parties, game days, or casual snacking. Served warm or at room temperature, they offer a truly authentic taste of Southern comfort food. Don't forget to save any leftovers—they stay irresistibly delicious all week in the fridge!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:370 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds raw green peanuts
• 4 quarts water
• 0.5 cups kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the raw green peanuts thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Drain well.

Step 2

In a large stockpot, add the cleaned peanuts and cover them with 4 quarts of water.

Step 3

Stir in the kosher salt, Cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a steady simmer.

Step 5

Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a slight crack to prevent overflow, and cook for 5-6 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure the peanuts cook evenly and the seasonings are distributed.

Step 6

After 5 hours, taste the peanuts for doneness. They should be soft but not mushy and fully infused with flavor. If needed, continue cooking for another hour, adding more water as necessary to keep the peanuts submerged.

Step 7

Once the desired texture is achieved, turn off the heat and let the peanuts sit in the seasoned cooking liquid for an additional 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.

Step 8

Drain the peanuts and serve warm, or let them cool to room temperature for snacking later. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4877.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5224.7

Total Fat 447.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 60285.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 162.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 84.1g	0%
Total Sugars 43.3g
Protein 235.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1084.6mg	0%
Iron 42.5mg	0%
Potassium 6536.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 71.7%

Protein: 16.8%

Carbs: 11.6%