Santa Cruz organic peanut butter is already an excellent, seed oil-free product with just two clean ingredients: organic roasted peanuts and salt. Making it at home allows you to control salt levels, ensure maximum freshness, and potentially save money when buying peanuts in bulk.
Based on: Peanut Butter
· Makes approximately 30 servings
· Serving: 32g (2 tablespoons)
Why This Recipe is Seed Oil Free
Commercial Peanut Butter from Santa Cruz often contains inflammatory seed oils like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil. This homemade version replaces them with healthier fats like butter, ghee, coconut oil, or avocado oil — giving you the same great taste without the processed oils.
Ingredients
Organic raw peanuts
1000g (2.2 lbs) · Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Raw Peanuts
Primary ingredient that provides all the healthy fats, protein, and characteristic peanut flavor when roasted and ground
Sea salt
4-6g (1-1.5 tsp) · Redmond Real Salt Fine Sea Salt
Enhances peanut flavor and acts as a natural preservative to extend shelf life
Instructions
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread 1000g of organic raw peanuts in a single layer across two large rimmed baking sheets. The peanuts should not overlap - this ensures even roasting. Roast for 10-12 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the peanuts are golden brown and fragrant. You'll hear them start to crackle slightly when done. Remove immediately and let cool for 15 minutes - hot peanuts will create steam in the food processor and affect texture.
Step 2. While peanuts cool, prepare your food processor by ensuring the bowl and blade are completely dry. Any moisture will cause the peanut butter to seize. Once cooled, remove about 1/4 of the peanuts and rub them vigorously in a clean kitchen towel to remove as much papery skin as possible. This step is optional but creates a smoother final texture.
Step 3. Add all roasted peanuts to a high-powered food processor (at least 11-cup capacity). Process continuously for 2-3 minutes until the peanuts form a coarse meal. Stop and scrape down sides with a rubber spatula. The mixture will look dry and powdery at this stage - this is normal.
Step 4. Continue processing for another 3-4 minutes. The mixture will suddenly transform from powder to a thick, sticky paste as the natural oils release. Stop and scrape down sides again. Add 1 teaspoon (4g) of fine sea salt and pulse 3-4 times to incorporate evenly.
Step 5. Process for another 2-4 minutes until the peanut butter reaches your desired consistency. For chunky texture, stop when some small pieces remain. For smooth, continue until completely creamy. If the mixture seems too thick, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon salt - this helps break down the proteins and creates creaminess. Taste and adjust salt as needed, up to 1.5 teaspoons total.
Step 6. Transfer immediately to clean glass jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent oil separation during storage. Cool completely before sealing with lids. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 months or at room temperature for up to 1 month. Before each use, stir well to redistribute any separated oils - this is completely normal and safe.
Storage
Store in airtight glass jars in refrigerator for maximum freshness (up to 3 months) or at room temperature for convenience (up to 1 month). Natural oil separation is normal - simply stir before use.
Cost Comparison
Cost per serving (homemade)$0.57
Cost per serving (store-bought)$0.85
Savings33%
Initial investment is higher since you're buying ingredients in bulk, but cost per serving drops significantly. The 2-lb bag makes exactly one batch, and subsequent batches only require purchasing more peanuts since the salt container lasts for 200+ batches.