How do I set up a roadside peanut stand?

by TwoGoobers
(Virginia)

We do not have access to raw green peanuts so we use raw dry nuts. We cook them at home with a normal cooking time around 8-10 hours and they turn out tasty, but we are unsure of how to prepare them at a roadside location. Would a large pressure cooker be a good idea to cook them on site to cut down on the cooking time? Can anyone please give us some info and tips on what equipment we need and how to prepare them in bulk for resale in a timely manner to sell throughout the day? We have already spoken to our local health department and are trying to avoid the hassle of red tape of having to do anything in our kitchen for something as simple as a boiled peanut!


Thanks for any help in advance!

Comments for How do I set up a roadside peanut stand?

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Aug 24, 2013
 Roadside boiled peanuts
by: Bret

Goobers,
I would not suggest using a pressure cooker at a roadside stand. Pressure cooking is good for reducing time to boil peanuts beforehand, in a kitchen, where it can be done with proper safety, attention, and controlled heat. Don't try to pressure cook over a high BTU outdoor propane burner.

Precook your boiled peanuts before taking them to the roadside stand. You can use a pressure cooker or a large stock pot in your kitchen. I like pressure cooking boiled peanuts because it reduces the time by many hours.

At the roadside stand heat the peanuts up in a large pot with salt and water, and whatever seasonings you want to add.

They just need to simmer in the water to suck in the flavor, because they're already cooked.

The vendors that start and finish boiling their peanuts at their stands are using green raw peanuts. Green peanuts take between 1 and 4 hours to cook, typically about 2 hours. After that, the peanuts are simmered until they are sold.

Boil or pressure cook peanuts to soften them, simmer and soak them for flavor saturation.
Jan 15, 2014
 Coolers?
by: Jason

Hello All,
I'm trying to decide if selling boiled peanuts would be a good weekend money maker.

I'm up north, in Ohio, and although we have a pretty friendly "Cottage Foods" policy, unfortunately boiled peanuts do not fall under that policy. Thus, that means that this type of product cannot be prepared at home (on the stove or using the propane set-up). It would have to be prepared in a health board approved licensed facility. The only work around I can come up with is using a local commissary kitchen.

This would eliminate the need to have a bunch of equipment (i.e. sinks/handwashing stations) at my farmers market booth or roadside stand.

I see tons of pics of everyone down south using the propane set-up at booths. So my first question is:

1. Doesn't that require sinks and all that heath board approved stuff too?

Also, I've sees people selling "hot" boiled peanuts out of coolers. I'm assuming the batch of peanuts were made earlier that day.

2. Are those really "hot" or are they just boiled?

3. Does that type of storage actually meet health department expectations for hot food storage?
Feb 23, 2015
 Roadside stand
by: Evan

Dear Jason.
I would guess it would be the customers choosing to come to your stand or not. As long as y'all have hair nets for girls and gloves that y'all could make an easy $200 on Sunday and Saturday.
Mar 02, 2017
 Health laws vary
by: Anonymous

Florida has minimal laws on boiled peanuts and from their site doesn't require health code licensing. Health codes vary by state and municipality.
Feb 11, 2021
 Selling road side peanuts
by: Anonymous

Hello....I'm 65 and would like to know if I could sell my boiled and roasted peanuts that I cook at my home on a road side? Will I need a license do do so?
Oct 19, 2021
 peanut cart
by: Anonymous

does anyone know if you need to take the same processes for a food truck or other mobile vending to have a peanut cart like the one bill makes in florida? would i need a food managers license? inspections? a commissary?
Oct 13, 2022
 Roadside Peanut Stand - How many ounces per bag?
by: Anonymous

How many ounces of boiled peanuts do you sell in a bag or cup?
Thanks for any help.
Apr 05, 2024
 best place to set up peanut stand
by: Damon holton

I suggest setting up a peanut stand next to another peanut stand. You can buy from them and sell as your own with a minimal loss in money.
Aug 01, 2024
 Peanut cart for sale
by: Anonymous

If anyone is looking for a peanut cart, I have one (never used) for sale. Located in Ottawa, Ontario

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