Boiled peanuts are a delicious and healthy snack for all seasons; they’re low in calories and fat and provide an excellent source of nutrients. Taking the time to make and properly store boiled peanuts benefits your health and taste buds in the long run.
Here’s how to store boiled peanuts:
- Drain and rinse peanuts from the brine.
- Cool the boiled peanuts.
- Place cooled peanuts in an air-tight bag or jar.
- Store peanuts in the refrigerator.
- Store peanuts in the freezer.
You can store your peanuts in a couple of different ways by using a sealable bag or a jar and storing them in the refrigerator or the freezer. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on how to best store your delicious boiled peanuts.
1. Drain and Rinse Peanuts From the Brine
The best way to get the most flavor when boiling peanuts is to soak them in a brine; however, you don’t want to store boiled peanuts in the brine. Some people think that leaving peanuts in the brine could strengthen flavor, yet this isn’t the case.
While boiling, the peanuts soak up enough of the brine to capture all the flavor needed; leaving excess brine on your peanuts could encourage bacteria growth or soften your boiled peanuts. Generally speaking, storing your boiled peanuts in the brine could shorten the peanuts’ shelf life.
Start the storing process by draining and rinsing your boiled peanuts to ensure no excess brine remains on your peanuts. This also helps to maintain the crunchy texture of your peanuts.
2. Cool the Boiled Peanuts
Once your peanuts are rinsed, it’s time to cool them down:
- Place peanuts on a tray and let them sit out at room temperature for about an hour or until completely cool. Boiled peanuts can’t last at room temperature beyond 24 hours, so be sure you don’t let them sit out and forget about them.
- Set a timer for 30 minutes. Once the timer goes off, gently pat the cooling peanuts with your hand. They should feel at least room temperature or cool to the touch before moving on to the next step.
- If the peanuts still feel warm after 30 minutes, set another timer for 15 minutes and recheck the peanuts.
This step is vital because bacteria thrive in moist environments and environments with temperatures higher than 40°F (4.44°C). If you store peanuts before they’re cool, the heat from the peanuts will cause condensation to collect, resulting in soft peanuts and an increased risk of bacteria growth.
3. Place Cooled Peanuts in an Air-Tight Bag or Jar
Once your peanuts are thoroughly cooled, check to ensure they’re not too damp. If they still feel wet, take a paper towel and lightly press the peanuts to pick up excess moisture before continuing.
Now it’s time to store your peanuts. You can use an air-tight bag or a jar for this step. If you choose an air-tight bag, be sure to check the bag for any holes and seal it properly. This prevents air from making its way into your bag and shortening the shelf life of your peanuts.
You could also use a jar to store your peanuts. Make sure you seal the lid properly; if you seal the lid without placing it correctly, you risk letting air seep into the jar. The benefits of using the jar over the bag are there’s no risk of getting holes in the jar and it’s relatively easy to seal properly.
4. Store Peanuts in the Refrigerator
If you plan on eating your peanuts relatively soon after boiling, it may be best to store them in the fridge. Boiled peanuts can last up to 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator, so be mindful not to forget about them.
Boiled peanuts are delicious cold, but you can also reheat them in the microwave. Place your peanuts in a microwave-safe bowl and make sure the top is covered. Heat the peanuts for about 30 seconds and gently touch them to gauge their temperature. Take caution not to burn your fingers.
If peanuts don’t feel hot enough, heat them again for 10 to 15 seconds until they reach the desired temperature for you to enjoy.
You can also reheat your peanuts on the stovetop. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and place your peanuts in the pot. It only takes a few minutes for the peanuts to reach the desired temperature. After they’ve soaked in hot water for a few minutes, drain the peanuts and enjoy.
Keep in mind, however, if you choose to reheat your peanuts on the stovetop, some of the salt on the peanuts will wash away and affect the flavor.
5. Store Peanuts in the Freezer
If you don’t plan on eating them right away, it’s best to store boiled peanuts in the freezer. They can last several months this way when stored properly.
When you want to eat your peanuts, simply thaw the bag or jar in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Once thawed, try to eat your peanuts within a week to 10 days. It’s also essential to thaw your peanuts before you reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Plus, you can defrost customized portions of peanuts if you don’t want to eat all of them at once; this may be the best option if you decide to make bulk portions of boiled peanuts.
Key Takeaways
As you store your tasty boiled peanuts, keep in mind these three key ideas, and you’ll have no problems:
- Properly seal the container in which you choose to store your peanuts.
- Keep track of how long your boiled peanuts have been stored away. Whether you choose to store your peanuts in the refrigerator or the freezer, be sure to check peanuts before eating to avoid eating peanuts that have gone sour.
- Enjoy your fresh and delicious boiled peanuts!
