Peanuts

peanut · 花生 huāshēng · ถั่วลิสง

Flavor and role

Legume seeds that become nutty and crunchy when roasted. Chopped as a topping or ground into sauces.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad thai (roasted peanuts), nasi lemak (fried peanuts), satay sauce, kung pao chicken, West African peanut stew

Substitutes

Replace 1:1 with cashews. For allergies, use roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Storage

Raw peanuts keep 3-6 months refrigerated; roasted peanuts keep 1 month sealed at room temperature or 6 months frozen. Always discard moldy peanuts because of the toxin risk.

Main countries

China · United States · Nigeria

Used in this book

Pad ThaiNasi LemakDan Dan NoodlesGado-GadoGỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp and Pork)Hotteok (Korean Brown Sugar Pancakes)KeleweleYangnyeom Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken)Kung Pao ChickenMassaman CurryChicken Satay (Sate Ayam)Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)SuyaCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlCrispy Vermicelli Cake with Bún Chả MeatballsDan Dan Noodles with Aromatic Red Oil and Fresh Sesame PasteCrispy Dan Dan Rice-Paper DumplingsGado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceGado-Gado Rice Paper RollsCoconut-Poached Pork and Tiger Prawn Summer RollsBusan-Style Seed HotteokMala Japchae (Sichuan-Spiced Glass Noodles)Hotteok Kanelbullar (Korean-Style Pan-Fried Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buns)Yangnyeom Karaage (Korean Sweet-Spicy Glazed Fried Chicken)Toasted-Spice Kelewele with Roasted Groundnuts and Lime Chilli SaltKelewele Caramel Sundae with Honey Peanut CrunchVelvet Kung Pao Chicken, Restaurant StyleKung Pao Chicken Tacos with Lime SlawKung Pao Popcorn Chicken CupsLarb Gai Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Sriracha CreamSlow-Braised Beef Shin Massaman with Whole SpicesMassaman Chicken Pot PieMassaman Chicken Loaded FriesThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Sambal Anchovy Coconut OnigiriSambal Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak BurgerNyama Choma Gua Bao with Kachumbari Slaw and Pili-Pili Mayo (Kenyan x Taiwanese)Pad Thai Goong with Shrimp-Head OilGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pad Thai Rice Paper RollsCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceChicken Satay Tacos with Acar PicklesTam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosSom Tam Summer RollsCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishSuya Beef Yaki UdonSuya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime DressingCrispy Honey-Gochujang Rice Cake Bites with Cheddar Dip

Updated 2026-10-10