How Long to Boil Peanuts
Boiled peanuts are a popular snack choice in the southern United States, but they can be quite time-consuming to make. Making them is a relatively easy process, but boiling peanuts to your liking may take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours.
To boil peanuts, start by rinsing whole peanuts (still in the shells) with water. Next, add the peanuts, water, salt, and seasonings to a pot and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiling, slightly reduce the heat to a low boil and allow the peanuts to simmer for approximately 2-3 hours. At this point, you should check to see if the peanuts have reached your desired level of softness: Just pull one out, crack the shell, and do a taste-test. If they haven't gotten soft enough for you, continue to boil them until they have. This can mean extending the boil time up to 8 hours.
If you're using fresh, green peanuts, your boil time should be on the shorter end of the scale, as they haven't been dried yet.