Easy Peanut Salad

Peanut Salad

If you grew up in India or around Indian street food, you already know how magical boiled peanuts can be. They’re salty, earthy, soft yet firm, and carry that nostalgic aroma that instantly pulls you into monsoon evenings.

This Easy Peanut Salad takes the humble boiled peanut and transforms it into a refreshing, wholesome, all-vegetable crunchy bowl that you can eat at any time of day. It’s vibrant, hydrating, lemony, herby, lightly salty, and endlessly satisfying, especially for anyone who wants to snack smart without compromising flavor.

This is the kind of salad that feels good the moment you look at it. The warm hue of the peanuts, the green pop of cilantro and cucumber, the softness of tomatoes, the bite of onion, and the sparkle of lemon juice… it’s like a festival of colors in one bowl.

And the best part? It’s incredibly customizable, from roasted peanuts to Instant Pot shortcuts, to pomegranate gems, sweet corn, and even allergy-friendly bean alternatives. This recipe is simple, but it’s also a canvas.

Let’s cook it the chef way.

⭐ What Makes This Salad Special

✨ 1. It’s Balanced In Every Way

There’s crunch, softness, tang, freshness, hydration, and a pinch of spice — a true sensory experience.

✨ 2. It Uses Zero Oil

All whole foods. No frying, sautéing, or heavy dressing. Just real ingredients doing their magic.

✨ 3. It Works for All Diets

Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free (with bean swaps), and budget-friendly.

✨ 4. It Feels Light Yet Filling

Peanuts/beans bring protein and healthy fats, while vegetables bring fiber and hydration — the perfect combo for satiety.

✨ 5. It’s a “Snack That Doesn’t Feel Like a Snack”

It’s refreshing enough to eat after a workout but flavorful enough to serve as a party appetizer.

🍽️ Ingredients

Raw Peanuts

Raw peanuts cook into a tender-but-firm texture, similar to boiled chickpeas. When seasoned right, they soak up flavor beautifully.

Cucumber

Cooling, hydrating, crunchy. If your cucumbers are seedy, scoop out some pulp to keep the salad crisp.

Tomatoes

Choose ripe but firm tomatoes. Remove the seeds if you want the salad to stay fresher for longer.

Onions

They add sharpness and crunch; red onions are ideal. If you prefer a milder flavor, soak the chopped onions in cold water for 5 minutes.

Cilantro

Adds freshness, fragrance, and color. Don’t skip it.

Lemon

This is the magic ingredient. It brightens everything, lifts the flavors, and balances the earthiness of the peanuts.

Salt & Optional Spices

Salt activates all the fresh ingredients. Chaat masala or cumin can add depth if you want a more street-style flavor.

👩‍🍳 How to Cook the Peanuts

🥘 Stovetop Method

1. Rinse peanuts thoroughly.

2. Place them in a pot and cover with water.

3. Add salt.

4. Boil for 30–40 minutes until soft but intact.

5. Drain and cool.

Texture Guide:

• 25 minutes = firmer peanuts

• 35–40 minutes = softer, more melt-in-the-mouth

⚡ Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Method (Chef Recommended)

This is the most reliable method.

1. Add the raw peanuts to the Instant Pot.

2. Fill with enough water to cover them by 1 inch.

3. Add salt.

4. Pressure cook on High for 20–25 minutes.

5. Let pressure release naturally.

Perfect peanuts. Zero monitoring.

🔥 Shortcut: Roasted Peanut Version

If you want a salad you can make in 3 minutes:

• Use roasted peanuts (preferably unsalted).

• Don’t soak — use them as-is for extra crunch.

• Reduce added salt.

This creates a chaat-style bowl with a satisfying bite.

🥗 Assembling the Salad

Once the peanuts are ready:

1. Combine boiled peanuts with chopped cucumber, tomato, onions, and cilantro.

2. Add optional veggies like grated carrots or pomegranate seeds.

3. Season with salt.

4. Squeeze half a lemon generously.

5. Toss gently.

The smell of lemon hitting onions and cilantro? Pure joy.

Serve immediately. If prepping ahead, leave lemon and salt out until serving time to keep the vegetables crunchy.

🌈 Optional Add-Ins (Make It Your Own)

This salad plays well with so many ingredients. Try:

• Pomegranate seeds (juicy sweetness)

• Sweet corn (kid-friendly, buttery flavor)

• Grated carrot (color + crunch)

• Chopped bell peppers (adds vibrance)

• Mint leaves (cooling, aromatic)

• Raw mango (summer tang!)

• Finely chopped radish (peppery freshness)

Every addition changes the personality of the dish — make your signature version.

🥜 Allergy-Friendly Substitutes

For anyone with peanut allergies, you can create the same salad magic using:

Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

Protein-dense, nutty, and great for texture.

Black Beans

Creamy, iron-rich, and delicious with corn or peppers.

Edamame

A high-protein, vibrant green option.

Cooked Lentils

Soft, earthy, and perfect with lemon + onion.

This way, no one misses out.

💚 Why This Salad Is Exceptionally Healthy

✔ High Protein

Peanuts, chickpeas, and beans all provide plant-based protein.

✔ Rich in Fiber

Helps digestion, stabilizes energy, and keeps you full.

✔ Zero Oil

Everything is fresh, boiled, roasted, or raw.

✔ Hydrating

Cucumber, tomatoes, and lemon keep your body replenished.

✔ Low-Calorie but Satisfying

Great for weight-conscious eaters, kids, and anyone who snacks mindfully.

✔ Real Ingredients, Real Nutrition

No preservatives, no processed sauces, no hidden sugars. This salad celebrates real food. Do try and let us know in the comments whether you enjoyed this salad. :)