How To Store Boiled Peanuts In 3 Easy Steps
Boiled peanuts are a tasty, salty treat that is popular in the Southern US and around the world, and they’re super easy to make as a treat for yourself or a treat to share.
But what do you do with your extras? Can they be refrigerated and kept, or do you need to eat them all? These boiled peanuts have a lot of moisture in them, so it can be difficult to decide if they are something that can be kept or should be eaten as soon as they are prepared.
The first time I made boiled peanuts, I had these questions, so I did some research to find out how to store boiled peanuts so that they wouldn’t go bad. Let’s learn how!
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What You Will Need To Follow This Tutorial
Boiled Peanuts
The first (and key) thing that you will need to be able to store boiled peanuts is, of course, boiled peanuts! This salty treat is made by taking shelled peanuts and boiling them in a very salty brine for an extended period of time. Once cooked, they’re a favorite snack to bring along to outdoor picnics or to just munch on at home.
You can make boiled peanuts at home (see the bonus tips for instructions), or you can buy them at the store in certain areas. If you are buying store bought boiled peanuts, remember that they cannot be stored for as long as homemade boiled peanuts.
Freezer Bags Or Airtight Containers
The next thing that you will need is either freezer bags or airtight containers. Both work equally as well as the other, but I prefer freezer bags simply because they are more convenient for me to use.
Freezer bags and airtight containers are both made to keep the air away from foods while they are being stored in the refrigerator or freezer. The less air around your food, the less likely it is to get freezer burn or to go bad quickly. Using these helps to keep your boiled peanuts fresh for longer.
Colander
Via Amazon.com
Colanders are great kitchen tools that are used for draining pasta and other items after they are boiled.
Because completed boiled peanuts will still be in their brine, you will need a colander or strainer to separate the actual peanuts from the salty liquid. While some people like to store foods in the salty brine, I’ve found better results by draining them.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Drain The Brine
Take your boiled peanuts and pour them into the colander to get rid of the excess brine. Shake gently to ensure you’ve removed as much as possible.
Step 2. Let Rest
Allow your boiled peanuts to come to room temperature. If you are refrigerating store bought or already drained boiled peanuts, you can skip steps #1 and #2.
Step 3. Pack It Up
Put your boiled peanuts into freezer bags or airtight containers. You want to make sure that whatever you put them into is moisture-proof, airtight, and freezer-safe.
Once you have sealed the packages, keeping as much air out as possible, you’ll be ready to store the peanuts.
Step 4. Store The Peanuts
Now it’s time to put the peanuts into the refrigerator or the freezer.
If refrigerated, you can keep boiled peanuts for 7 to 10 days before they will turn sour and no longer be okay to eat.
If frozen at a temperature of 0 degrees F or lower, they can keep several months or indefinitely since low temperatures inhibit microbial growth on the peanuts.
One last note: if you bought boiled peanuts from a store, they should only be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or you should freeze them immediately. Generally speaking, store bought boiled peanuts do not last as long as homemade boiled peanuts.
Bonus Tips:
Making Your Own Boiled Peanuts
If you haven’t made your own boiled peanuts before, it’s time that you give it a try! Making this treat is actually so simple. All you need is salt, water, a pan, and shelled peanuts.
Check out this quick video about making boiled peanuts and how easy it can be:
See? It’s easy! If you want to make different flavored boiled peanuts, you can easily do this by adding different seasonings to the brine as you prepare them.
Peanuts Can Go Sour
It is possible for boiled peanuts, even if stored correctly, to go sour, and it should be fairly easy to recognize if they do go bad.
Here’s how to tell if your boiled peanuts are no longer good to eat:
- Grey or green spots on the surface of the peanuts (indicates mold growth)
- Shriveled or black looking peanuts
- Peanuts that smell sour
If the peanuts do not look or taste right, toss them. You can make yourself ill by eating boiled peanuts that have gone sour, so it’s best to get rid of them immediately.
Thaw And Eat
When you’re ready to eat your frozen boiled peanuts, simply let them thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before enjoying them.
Split It Up
When freezing boiled peanuts, freeze smaller serving amounts in separate bags. By doing this, you will be able to thaw only a small amount of peanuts at once, which will help your supply last longer.
Get Your Peanuts Protected
Have you learned how to store boiled peanuts? It’s easy, right? I was surprised that it was this simple, but it really is. Making and storing boiled peanuts takes very little effort, so they really are a great treat to prepare at home.
Do you have any other tips to add on how to store or enjoy boiled peanuts? I’d love to hear them, so let me know in the comments. Then, share this tutorial with other friends who are dying to learn how to make this delicious treat last longer!
