Can Shelled Peanuts be Boiled?

by Jennifer Eve
(Indianapolis)

I would like to know why we need to leave them in the shell, and do you remove the shells before eating? I've never had these but am dying to try them.


Can you boil them out of shell?

Comments for Can Shelled Peanuts be Boiled?

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Mar 11, 2011
 Boiled Peanuts and the Shell
by: Bret

Jennifer,
Yes, you can boil raw peanuts that are already shelled.

Why do people in the USA boil peanuts in the shell? Labor & cost saving. Peanuts grow this way and it is easier to boil them without having to shell them first.

We leave the shelling to the eater. They are highly motivated to get to the inner goodness.

Green raw peanuts fresh pulled from the ground are the best for boiling. After they are dug from the ground they only require rinsing before they are ready to be boiled and eaten. Shelling peanuts can be time consuming and laborious.

Dried raw peanuts in the shell have nature's protective casing, allowing them to be shipped thousands of miles without damage to the tasty legume inside.

Do you remove the boiled peanuts from the shells before eating them?

Yes. They taste better that way.

The only exception is for very immature green peanuts called 'pops' that have very soft shells. The shell is always safe to eat and is primarily fiber.

When we lived in Singapore, for lunch we often ate shelled boiled peanuts with rice and Char Siew (Chinese barbeque pork).

Boiled peanuts are often called braised peanuts in Asia. Here is a recipe for Chinese braised peanuts from Singapore, sweet and savory boiled peanuts without shells.

Most raw peanuts (both green and dried) sold in the USA are still in the shell. It is simply easier to boil them in the shell and to shell them as they are eaten, but already shelled raw peanuts are also delicious boiled.
Mar 11, 2011
 Where can I buy Green Peanuts?
by: Jennifer Eve

Where can i buy green peanuts, Kroger? lol
Also, I can buy them already shelled and salted, but they are mature, can you boil these just bought shelled and salted from a a bag or a jar, like Planters? I'd love to try green ones, but have never seen them.
Mar 11, 2011
 Where to buy Green Peanuts
by: Bret

Jennifer,
DO NOT try to boil peanuts that are salted, roasted (like Planters). They are already cooked, they are not RAW. You want to buy Raw peanuts.

Also, forget about buying Green peanuts this time of year. Green peanuts are available when peanuts are being harvested (about August to November in North America), and available in peanut growing regions.

Green peanuts spoil quickly (less than 2 weeks) unless they have been frozen. If you can find green peanuts in Indianapolis they will most likely be at farmers markets, Asian markets, and possibly health food stores. It may be that you can never find green peanuts where you live.

Here in Colorado the only green peanuts I can get are the ones I grow myself, or I can order them online (again from August to November typically).

You need to focus on Dried Raw Peanuts, aka. Raw Peanuts. Because they have been carefully dried, raw peanuts will stay fresh for many months.

I sometimes find Raw Peanuts in the grocery store, but not often. I order them online instead. Here are some examples I found when I googled 'raw peanuts': Jerry's Nut House, Whitley's Peanuts, Virginia Peanuts, Nuts Online.

My favorite peanut variety for boiling is Valencia. I like Runner peanuts boiled also. Some people prefer Virginia Jumbo peanuts for boiling.


Oct 11, 2015
 boil time
by: Anonymous

I just boiled some raw Spanish shelled peanuts for 40 minutes and they were slightly crunchy. They require at least 30, but no more than 60 minutes at a simmer.
Jul 14, 2016
 Boiled peanuts
by: Anonymous

I sell and cook green boiled peanuts at a roadside market. Green peanuts require 3 hours of boil (simmer) time minimally and then additional "soak time" to absorb salt.
Oct 25, 2023
 Homemade boiled peanuts
by: Anonymous

I just boiled raw fresh peanuts, they came out very good and I have not had them This good in Florida. I have heard they can be toxic.

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