My Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts Recipe will not disappoint! Expect delicious, tender boiled peanuts in just 2 hours!
These peanuts are an old-fashioned classic, sought after by every self-respecting Southern once football season comes around. Whether that is the classic boiled peanuts with salt or cajun boiled peanuts, everyone goes nuts for them! Serve them steaming in paper cups for tailgates, pile them into a bowl for movie night, or eat them straight from the fridge when the midnight snack urge strikes.
For more peanut recipes, check out my quick peanut chocolate butter fudge or my no bake peanut butter bliss balls.
Why Make Boiled Peanuts in an Instant Pot?
Traditional stovetop or slow-cooker methods can mean keeping a pot simmering for anywhere from four to eight hours, constantly checking the water level so the peanuts stay submerged and don’t scorch.
With the Instant Pot, I simply set the timer, walk away, and come back to perfectly tender peanuts in about two hours, including the natural release. The sealed pressure locks in flavor, so the salt and any seasonings infuse deeply into the shells and kernels without me stirring or babysitting.
The convenience of the instant pot is why I love instant pot broccoli and instant pot crab legs just as much! You can also check out my collection of everyday instant pot recipes.
Ingredient Highlight: Green Peanuts
- Green peanuts – Freshly dug, still moist from the field. Grab them in late summer at farmers markets or well-stocked groceries. They cook about 15 minutes faster.
- Raw peanuts (sometimes labeled “raw in-shell” or “redskin”) – Dry, uncooked peanuts you’ll find in bags year-round. They take the full 90 minutes.
- Raw Valencia or Virginia peanuts – Larger kernels, great for a meatier bite.
Recipe Tips for Pressure Cooker Salted Peanuts
For this Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts recipe, I used raw peanuts. If you can get green peanuts fresh in the summer season use those! Just cut down the cooking time by 15 to 20 minutes.
Boiled Peanut Flavor Variations
- Creole Seasoned Boiled Peanuts – 2 tablespoons salt, ¼ cup creole seasoning like Tony Chachere’s.
- Ranch Boiled Peanuts– Stir in 1 tablespoons of salt, ¼ cup ranch seasoning mix and 1 tablespoon onion powder.
- Old Bay Flavored Peanuts – Use 2 tablespoons salt, ¼ cup Old Bay seasoning and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Dill Pickle Boiled Peanuts– Use 1 cup dill pickle juice in place of part of the water and add 1 tablespoon dill weed or 1 teaspoon dill seed.
- BBQ Flavored Boiled Peanuts – Use 2 tablespoons of salt and ¼ cup of your favorite BBQ seasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions when Making Boiled Peanuts
Natural release means letting the Instant Pot cool down by itself slowly releasing steam. The Instant Pot will release steam gradually until the float valve drops down. This could take up to 30 minutes. Once the float valve has dropped it is safe to remove the lid.
Perfect with cold beer, sweet tea or an ice-cold coke. Our grandparents used to put a few directly into their glass bottled coke. You can also serve alongside BBQ, pulled pork sliders, or smoked sausage.
Let the peanuts soak in their brine after cooking. As they rest, they continue to absorb all that salty, seasoned flavor, making every bite even better. The longer they sit, the deeper the flavor gets.
Drain peanuts and store them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot put a cup of water in the Instant Pot. Next, put your steamer basket in and fill it with the leftover boiled peanuts. Steam for 1 to 2 minutes depending on the amount.
Easy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts in a Fraction of the Time
Tender Southern Boiled Peanuts made in the Instant Pot. Unlock the full potential of your Instant Pot with this step-by-step guide on how to boil peanuts. Follow these simple instructions to make the perfect boiled peanuts in no time!
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw peanuts
- ⅓ cup coarse sea salt
- Water
Instructions
- Rinse peanuts in a colander and remove any debris. Transfer peanuts to the Instant Pot.
- Add enough water to cover the peanuts; add salt. Weigh down your peanuts with the trivet your Instant Pot came with.
- Use the Manual Setting, High Pressure, for 90 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to do a Natural Release.
- Use a slotted spoon or colander to drain the peanuts before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 257Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3744mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 12g
All amounts are estimates and DailyAppetite takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier.
