Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts are a local snack we all grew up eating in Hawaii. Here's where to get it, how to make it (and eat it) ^_^
Growing up in Hawaii, I always thought that boiled peanuts were a local snack.
...one of those only-in-Hawaii treats (of which there are many).
Little did I know, boiled peanut are also very popular in the South and throughout China.
What Are Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts*
Hawaiian boiled peanuts are unique in the way they're seasoned. We use Hawaiian sea salt, lots of sliced ginger, star anise, and black peppercorns. Our boiled peanuts are tender and sweet, so aromatic. They are pretty tasty devoured at room temperature, but so onolicious when hot.
About Hawaiian Sea Salt
My Hawaiian Sea Salt Pick:
Hawaiian Sea Salt (5lb Bag)
When And How Do You Eat Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts from Ono Seafood (Oahu)
Where To Get Boiled Peanuts
How To Make Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts
Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts
Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts are a local treat we all grew up eating in Hawaii. It's easy to eat and even easier to make! Perfect for snacks and sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw peanuts
- ¼ cup Hawaiian sea salt
- 6 whole pieces of star anise
- 4 inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 10 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse the raw peanuts and pick out any debris. Place the raw peanuts in a large pot.
- Top with the sea salt, star anise, ginger, and black peppercorns. Cover with water.
- If cooking with the Instant Pot/pressure cooker, use the manual setting, and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
Notes
If you are cooking on the stove (as opposed to Instant Pot/pressure cooker), soak the raw peanuts in water overnight before cooking. Add the sea salt, star anise, ginger, and black peppercorns to the pot the next morning. Bring to a boil and then simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours. Stir every 15 minutes and check for doneness after 1-hour.
I remember the lady in front of the old sears and then the new sears.It was so good.God bless her.Also at the old stadium.The good old days are gone but not forgotten.I remember their was wet and dry boil.My dad liked the dry boil type.I liked them both.
Aloha Dennis - Such wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing 🙂
- Kathy
Hey there!
I too thought that boiled peanuts were only available in the south!! lol
I just got back from the big Island and sampled several Hawaiian style boiled peanuts... needless to say, I am hooked!!
One big difference that I noticed is that there a 4 types of green (raw) peanuts. 3 of the 4 types have a red husk in the peanut (spanish) but the ones that I am always looking for are the Virgina white husk green peanuts. they are, bigger, sweeter tasting, and bold in flavor. So if you ever get to the South East... look for the white husk boiled peanuts you will never forget!!
My grandmother was Teru Isomura, the “Sears Peanut Lady” if you’re old enough to remember the original Sears on Beretania and Kalakaua and was allowed as the first vendor for the Ala Moana Shopping Center. I never got to meet her as she passed a few weeks before I was born, and never got her recipe from my family!
(https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23470500/peanut-lady-sears-1968/) (https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/05/07/hawaii-news/rearview-mirror/rearview-sears-ala-moana-and-peanuts-an-unlikely-combination/ )
I am thankful that there are many versions of Hawaiian/Hawaii-Style recipes on the internet and yours is the best; just the way I like it with texture and flavor.
Aloha Toni - Thank you so much for sharing this story...this is amazing!! I just read both articles you linked to, what a wonderful grandmother and such special history. Thank you also for the kind words, you made my day ^_^
- Kathy
So good. I finally found some raw peanuts and made these in my instant pot. Ended up under pressure for about 90 minutes (45 min, then 15, then another 15) to get the texture I wanted. Worth it. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Aloha Emily! Thanks for the feedback, so happy you enjoyed the recipe! ^_^
- Kathy
@Emily, great job....... i made a batch hit or miss the ing ....only Hawaiian salt and Anise 10 whole and 2 Tbl peppercorns 7 lbs raw in the slowcooker 2 cookers,,,,it works ......
Do you know anywhere to get boiled peanuts near Kona?
I been craving these for SO LONG! These came out perfect! Tastes just like home. The only thing I did different was at the end.i turned off the heat, and I let them soak in the brine for an additional 2hrs. Mahalo nui for this recipe 🤙
Hi Kaipo!
So happy you enjoyed the recipe! I love the idea of letting it soak in the brine for longer, will try that next time for sure ^_^
- Kathy
Aloha Kathy, And for those of us with
no instapot how long do you suggest boiling? constant boil or what?
Aloha Barbie! I recommend:
1) Soaking the peanuts overnight (put a plate on top to keep them from floating up)
2) Rinsing the peanuts in a few changes of water (you want the water to run clean).
3) Boiling the peanuts in the fresh water for 30-60 minutes (start testing/tasting a peanut after 30 minutes to see if it's ready). I'd keep it at light boil (medium-low heat).
Hope this is helpful 🙂
- Kathy
Love the history! I always thought boiled peanuts were a local snack until I saw an article about southern boiled peanuts then I went looking for an article about boiled peanuts in Hawaii.
Thanks, DMK! I thought the same about boiling peanuts being a local snack for the longest time as well 🙂
- Kathy
Not to sound rude because that sounds really good right now but there nothing Hawaiian about boiled peanuts .
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for your comment. I completely get what you mean, which is why I included this paragraph in the post:
*We touched on the difference between Hawaiian and Hawaii-style here. Our boiled peanuts are technically Hawaii-style, but because people often refer to this snack as Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts (and not Hawaii-style Boiled Peanuts), we’ll use the phrase Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts in this post.
Many of non-local friends on the mainland love this snack and remember it as Hawaiian boiled peanuts, so wanted to make this post for them 🙂
- Kathy
This doesn’t have pineapple in it, but local people that grew up in Hawaii are very familiar with this recipe and taste. Just because Hawaiian is in a recipe name, contrary to what most mainlanders think... does not include pineapple or umbrellas. 🙂