By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 9, 2026
Serves 8
337 cal · 195 min
Chinese Boiled Peanuts
Recipe GLPRaf65c70e65a42b
Tender, savory boiled peanuts infused with the warm spice of cinnamon, star anise, and garlic. This classic Chinese snack is soft, flavorful, and perfect for enjoying as an appetizer or casual bite. The peanuts absorb the aromatic spices as they simmer, creating a comforting and satisfying treat.
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Ingredients
1 pound raw peanuts (green peanuts)
3 tablespoons kosher or sea salt
1-3 cinnamon sticks
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3 star anise
Water for boiling
Directions
Rinse the raw peanuts thoroughly under cold water and drain well.
Place the peanuts in a large pot and add the salt, cinnamon sticks, garlic cloves, and star anise.
Cover the peanuts with water, adding enough to submerge them by at least 3 inches. Use a small plate or weight to keep the peanuts submerged if they tend to float.
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. The peanuts are done when they are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Alternatively, soak the peanuts overnight in cool water. The next day, drain and proceed with step 2. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until the peanuts reach your desired tenderness.
For pressure cooker: Add all ingredients and water to the cooker, seal, and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally. For slow cooker: Add all ingredients and water to the cooker and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
Drain and serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Comments
This recipe plays directly to North Carolina's strength as a peanut-growing state, so fresh in-shell peanuts are readily available at any Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Walmart year-round and often cheaper than in other regions. All other ingredients are pantry staples found at any Charlotte grocer, with star anise the only less common item but still stocked at mainstream chains like Harris Teeter. The 195 minutes is honest—it's mostly unattended simmering, but you do need to monitor liquid levels and account for an hour or so of actual hands-on work spread across the cooking time, making it realistic for a weekend project rather than weeknight prep. The dish reheats beautifully and actually improves as flavors meld overnight, making it ideal for meal prep; cost per serving lands around $0.50–$0.70 depending on peanut prices, driven entirely by the protein itself. The only minor drawback is that this is a specialty snack rather than a complete meal, and the long cook time means you're tying up a pot for most of a day.
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