Too much Salt in my Boiled Peanuts

by James
(Orangeburg, SC)

How can I eliminate the fact that the peanuts are TOO SALTY? Will soaking them in plain water help? If so, for how long? Help!! They are way too salty.

Comments for Too much Salt in my Boiled Peanuts

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Oct 02, 2011
 Removing Salt from Boiled Peanuts
by: Bret

James,
Yes you can reduce the amount of salt in boiled peanuts. I put over salty boiled peanuts in clean fresh water and simmer them for a few minutes, and then let them soak in the water. The more water used, the more salt removed. The longer they soak, the more salt that is transferred from the peanuts into the water, until equilibrium is reached.

The salt will move from the peanuts' greater concentration to the water's lesser concentration until they are equal in salinity. You may need to change the water several times until the peanuts reach the flavor you want.

I've done this a few times, not just to reduce salt but to reduce other spice flavors when I was trying a new recipe and overdid it.

Many online boiled peanut recipes recommend using way too much salt, and then warn you not to leave the boiled peanuts soaking in the water too long or they will become too salty. The proper method of boiling peanuts is to use less salt initially, then the boiled peanuts can soak for many hours and not get saltier over time.

We recommended boiling with no or little salt until the peanuts get soft and wet inside. Adding salt after they have boiled to softness speeds up the boiling time. Salt slows down the softening of boiled peanuts, just as it slows down the softening while boiling dried beans.

When you are ready to add salt, start with about 6-8 Tablespoons of salt per gallon of water. I typically use about 8 Tablespoons of salt per Gallon of water (1 Teaspoon of salt per pint of water), but sometimes use up to 10 Tablespoons of salt per gallon for friends that like more salt.

As you boil the peanuts water evaporates, which increase the salt concentration in the water, so add water as they boil to maintain the same salinity throughout the boil.

It is easier to add salt later in the boil than to reduce the salt if you add too much early.

Good luck, let us know whether you are able to recover them to your satisfaction.
Mar 26, 2013
 Boiled peanuts
by: Eddie

I have made boiled peanuts for some time, and they were too salty most of the time. I tried your directions, and believe me, they got eaten so much faster.

Thanks for all the help.
Mar 27, 2013
 Boiled peanuts
by: Bret

Eddie,
Thank you for posting.

Your comment made us smile that you made the kind of boiled peanuts that you like.

Salt should enhance the taste of boiled peanuts, not overpower them. Sometimes less is more.

Boil early, boil often,

bret
Aug 05, 2015
 Good tip for saving my peanuts!
by: Rock

Thanks so much for that very helpful info. Tried it and it saved me.
Sep 19, 2015
 Works great!
by: Southern Girl

Boiled about 5 lbs today and over salted way too much! This tip saved my peanuts and now my family can enjoy them!

Sep 20, 2015
 You may have saved 12 pounds of peanuts
by: Candy B

We boiled 12 pounds of peanuts today, and they are too salty, I poured out the salty brine water, and put clean water in (there are 4 big pots of them), and tomorrow, I will do the methods here. Thank you!
Dec 25, 2015
 Soaking boiled peanuts
by: Anonymous

I discovered that you don't have to heat the water at all. Just soak peanuts in fresh water and keep changing it until you get to the desired saltiness. Also, you can do that with canned or frozen boiled peanuts to buy at store. Since cooking peanuts is time-consuming, I find buying them and soaking them is a much better option for me.
Jul 27, 2016
 Salty peanuts
by: Anonymous

Thank you! Just boiled a few pounds today and they were way too salty so I just changed the water and goggled to see if this would work and found your link so happy to know this will work and I do not have to throw them away. I used kosher salt this time which I have never tried before and I think that's what did it.

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