Do Boiled Peanuts Have To Be Refrigerated?
Boiled peanuts taste delicious, They can be found all around the American South and beyond, and their popularity is due to their combination of sweet and salty peanut flavors. However, it is common to purchase boiled peanuts in bulk, and less common to eat them all in one sitting! But what if you have some left over? Do boiled peanuts have to be refrigerated?
Yes .Boiled peanuts must be refrigerated. Boiled peanuts are technically a legume, and although they have been cooked in a boiling process, they are prone to the dangers of oxidization and growing bacteria or mold. It can be harmful for humans if improperly stored.Once cooked, they should not be left out of the fridge/freezer for more than a few hours.
Boiled peanuts are saturated with water and when left unrefrigerated, they become a breeding ground for bacteria. Boiled peanuts stored out of the fridge become inedible very quickly. Therefore, boiled peanuts need to be refrigerated in order to last up to 10 days, and frozen if needed for a longer amount of time.
In this article, you will find the thorough answer to the question: “Do Boiled Peanuts Need to Be Refrigerated?” We’ll also be happy to supply you with the reason behind refrigerating boiled peanuts in addition to some frequently asked questions on the topic. By the conclusion, you should feel safe eating and storing your favorite peanut snack. Let’s get started!
Do Freshly Boiled Peanuts Have to be Refrigerated?
Yes. Freshly boiled peanuts must be refrigerated. If they are kept on a countertop for too long there is a chance that bacteria will start to grow. Consume boiled peanuts laden with bacteria and it could make you sick. If they don’t make you sick, they’ll still taste foul.
Boiled peanuts are cooked in water for several hours. As they cook, the shell starts to soften up. As this happens, the water will penetrate the shell and start cooking the peanut. When you remove them from the boil, they’ll be dripping wet. The water adds flavor, but it also causes issues.
Bacteria grow in damp environments, and freshly boiled peanuts are going to be very damp. Add a bit of warmth to the mix (and room temperature is more than enough warmth), and that bacteria will multiply very quickly.
Over the course of a few hours, boiled peanuts at room temperature will develop a slimy texture. Leave it a bit longer and a foul stench will start to emit from them. You can thank the bacteria for that. At this point, the boiled peanut cannot be eaten. It would make you sick.
When you refrigerate boiled peanuts, it will slow down the growth of the bacteria. It won’t completely stop it, but it should prevent the boiled peanuts from developing a slime for a few days. So, they’ll at least continue to remain edible for a while.
Now, we do want to point out that most people probably won’t get massively sick from eating boiled peanuts that have been sitting out for more than a few hours. It can happen, but it is rare. The most at-risk groups will be children, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant women. Although, we still wouldn’t suggest that you risk it.
Do You Need to Store Canned Boiled Peanuts in the Fridge?
If the can is sealed, you can store canned boiled peanuts in the pantry. The canning process creates a sterile environment that prevents bacterial growth. As soon as you open the can, you’ll need to store them in the fridge. At that point, you should treat them like freshly boiled peanuts.
Why it is Important to Refrigerate Boiled Peanuts
Yes, boiled peanuts are, by definition, already subjected to the cooking process. However, this does not mean that boiled peanuts can’t still become unsafe to eat afterward. It is the liquid that boiled peanuts retain which actually make them so vulnerable to growing harmful bacteria.
One of these bacteria is called “Bacillus cereus.” Baccilus cereus, according to the FDA, is a type of dangerous bacterium which grows on foods like legumes, or boiled peanuts.
It can create a type of food poisoning which can be highly harmful for those who eat foods that are growing the bacteria. Luckily, the solution is refrigeration!
You see, Bacillus cereus can only grow in a specific temperature range on moist foods. This temperature range is between 39 degrees Fahrenheit and 118 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA research. When kept in a refrigerator, the boiled peanuts are safe from this process!
How Long Can You Store Boiled Peanuts in the Fridge?
It depends on how quickly you get them in the fridge.
If you put them in the fridge within an hour or two of cooking, there is a reasonable chance that they could last 10-14 days in the fridge.
If you wait several hours, then you may be able to get a couple of days extra, at most. We cannot stress enough how quickly that bacteria develops when boiled peanuts are left out for prolonged periods of time.
These are just guidelines, though. You should always check the refrigerated boiled peanuts before you eat them. If they have developed a bit of a stench, or they have a slimy coating, throw them away. Cook yourself up a fresh batch. You don’t want to take any risks here.
If you want to store boiled peanuts long-term, then we suggest that you freeze them. Boiled peanuts can be frozen indefinitely, but if you want the best taste then we suggest that you consume them within 2-3 months of freezing.
Whether you are storing your boiled peanuts in the fridge or freezer, let them cool down first.
Final Thoughts
If you are not consuming your boiled peanuts right away, then they must be refrigerated. They should never be kept out of the fridge for more than an hour or two. Unrefrigerated boiled peanuts become inedible within 5-8 hours due to the rapid growth of bacteria. Store your boiled peanuts in the fridge and they should be good to eat for 10-14 days. Freeze your boiled peanuts if you want them to last longer than this.
To sum it all up, the answer to the question “Do boiled peanuts need to be refrigerated?” is: yes, boiled peanuts can not only be less enjoyable after being left at room temperature, but they can grow a harmful bacteria that can make anyone who eats the peanuts sick.
Refrigerate your boiled peanuts to enjoy them for even longer, without fear!
We also have several related articles on our website that you may find helpful Do Brussels Sprouts Have To Be Refrigerated?, Do Buckeyes Need To Be Refrigerated? and Do Built Bars Need To Be Refrigerated?
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more info about boiled peanuts and their storage? Look no further than our frequently asked question-and-answer section!
How long do boiled peanuts last when unrefrigerated?
If you keep your boiled peanuts out in room temperature, your best bet is to eat them within the next ten hours. Still, you risk getting a type of food poisoning, as mentioned above, while eating boiled peanuts that have been refrigerated can remain possible for as long as 10 days!
Do boiled peanuts go bad overnight?
If you leave boiled peanuts out without being refrigerated for more than the above-mentioned ten hours before eating them, you’re at a high risk of getting food poisoning. You’ll also probably enjoy the peanuts a lot less when they’ve been sitting for such a long time, so it’s safe to say that unless you only sleep for three or four hours, yes, boiled peanuts go bad overnight.
