How to Hull Walnuts

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References Approved

Walnuts are delicious when eaten on their own or when added to a variety of baked goods. Walnuts have multiple layers, including the outer hull and the nutshell.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing the Outer Hull

If your walnuts are fresh from the tree, then you will have to remove the outer hull. Look for mature nuts with yellowish-green hulls. Nuts with black hulls will not have the same quality of flavor.

1
Place the whole walnut on an asphalt surface. The juices will stain a concrete surface.
2
Stomp on the walnut with your foot and twist the nut into the asphalt surface.^{[1]
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3
Pick up the nut and place it in a large pail.
4
Discard the hulls in the garbage or your compost pile.
5
Spread your walnuts on a large picnic table or another flat area. Make sure that you are wearing rubber gloves to protect your skin from the juices on the nutshells and that you’re working in an area that you can get dirty.
6
Scrub the exterior of the shells with a wire brush to remove any remaining hull pieces.
7
Spread the cleaned walnuts in a single layer on a flat surface in a dark, cool, dry and well-ventilated area. Make sure that the surfaces are not touching one another.
8
Cure the walnuts for 5 to 6 weeks. If you crack a fresh walnut, then the meat will be rubbery. Curing them allows the kernel to become firm and crunchy.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Removing the Nutshell

Walnuts are notoriously tough to crack. You can remove the shell with a nutcracker or with a hammer. Soaking the nuts will prevent the kernel from being shattered during the process of removing the shell.

1
Soak cured walnuts for 24 hours in hot water. This will soften the shell and will make it easier to crack.
2
Remove the walnut from the water. Place the walnut on a flat surface with the pointed end facing up.
3
Strike the pointed end with a hammer until the nut cracks along its axis.
4
Pull the shell apart with your fingers.
5
Place the pointed end of a nutpick under the kernel. Run the nutpick along the edges of the kernel to loosen it from the shell.^{[3]
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6
Place the kernel in a separate bowl. Repeat the process until you have shelled all of your walnuts.

Community Q&A

Question

Are plastic bowls functional in storing walnuts in a freezer?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as the plastic container is non-permeable. A lid would also be helpful.
Question

How long can I store walnuts?

Community Answer

English walnut meats can be stored in plastic freezer bags in your freezer for at least two years. They are very good eaten straight or used in other products as desired, whole or chopped.
Question

Are black walnuts edible as well?

Community Answer

Yes. They have a stronger flavor than the cultivated English walnut, and they're wonderful!

Warnings

Walnut hulls will stain your hands, your clothing, and your work surface. Make sure to wear rubber gloves when you hull walnuts and to protect your work surface from the juices.^{[4]
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