What are the ingredients in great value dry roasted peanuts?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to product data from sources like Nutritionix, the primary component of Great Value dry roasted peanuts is, unsurprisingly, peanuts, but the flavor is far more complex. The full ingredient list for the salted version includes several additional items to achieve its distinct taste and texture.

Quick Summary

The standard formulation for Great Value dry roasted peanuts includes peanuts, sea salt, sugar, cornstarch, maltodextrin, torula yeast, and a blend of spices and colorings. The unsalted variant has a much simpler composition.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The base is simply peanuts and sea salt for the most common variety.
Flavoring Agents: A small percentage of the mix includes sugar, torula yeast, and a blend of spices for a complex taste profile.
Additives for Consistency: Cornstarch, maltodextrin, and corn syrup solids are used to ensure the seasoning sticks and the texture is consistent.
Allergen Awareness: The primary allergen is peanuts, but some formulations may contain soy, and there is a risk of cross-contamination with other nuts.
Version Differences: The unsalted version has a much simpler ingredient list, often consisting only of peanuts.
No Frying Oils: As a dry roasted product, it does not use added oils for cooking, differentiating it from many other peanut snacks.

A Detailed Look at the Ingredients

For consumers with dietary restrictions, allergies, or a general curiosity about their food, understanding the full ingredient list of a packaged snack is crucial. Great Value, Walmart's house brand, offers several varieties of dry roasted peanuts, and while the name suggests a simple composition, the seasoned versions feature a more extensive list of components. The following breakdown is for the standard salted, dry roasted variety, which is the most common version on shelves.

Primary and Base Ingredients

At its core, the product is built around a few key foundational ingredients. The roasting process, unlike frying, involves no added oils, which keeps the ingredient list cleaner and focuses on the nut's natural flavor before seasoning is applied.

Peanuts: The main and most abundant ingredient.
Sea Salt: Used to provide the classic salty flavor profile.

The Flavoring Blend: 'Contains 2% or Less Of'

Many of the ingredients contributing to the flavor and texture are present in small quantities, legally categorized as 'contains 2% or less of the following' on the label. This group of ingredients is responsible for the unique and savory taste.

Sugar: A small amount is added to balance the salt and enhance the overall flavor.
Cornstarch: Functions as a binding agent, helping the seasonings adhere evenly to the surface of the peanuts.
Maltodextrin: A common food additive derived from starch. It serves as a filler and binding agent, and helps deliver a more consistent flavor.
Corn Syrup Solids: Another starch-based additive that contributes to the subtle sweetness and texture.
Smoked Torula Yeast: Provides a savory, smoky, and slightly nutty flavor, contributing to the umami profile.
Paprika (Color): Included for its coloring properties rather than its spice, giving the peanuts a reddish hue.
Spice: A generic term for a proprietary mix of spices. While not specifically named, it is key to the overall taste.
Garlic Powder: Adds a savory, aromatic quality to the seasoning.
Onion Powder: Enhances the savory notes with a slightly pungent and sweet flavor.

Allergen Information

As with any packaged product, it's vital for those with food sensitivities to read the label carefully. The most obvious allergen is, of course, peanuts. However, the label also carries warnings about potential cross-contamination.

Peanuts: The base of the product and a major allergen.
Soy: Certain formulations may contain soy, such as hydrolyzed soy protein. Always check the specific packaging.
Cross-Contamination: May contain traces of other allergens like tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, and sesame due to manufacturing processes.

A Comparison of Ingredients: Salted vs. Unsalted

To illustrate the difference in complexity between the two versions, here is a simple comparison table. This highlights how Great Value achieves its flavor variety.


Ingredient	Salted Dry Roasted	Unsalted Dry Roasted
Peanuts	Yes	Yes
Sea Salt	Yes	No (or trace)
Sugar	Yes	No
Cornstarch	Yes	No
Maltodextrin	Yes	No
Corn Syrup Solids	Yes	No
Torula Yeast	Yes	No
Paprika (Color)	Yes	No
Spices	Yes	No
Onion Powder	Yes	No
Garlic Powder	Yes	No
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein	May contain	No

What do the additives do?

While some consumers may be surprised by the number of extra ingredients, each one serves a purpose in creating the final product's sensory experience. The corn-based solids (cornstarch, maltodextrin, corn syrup solids) are the building blocks of the seasoning's dry coating, giving it a familiar texture and allowing the flavor to be evenly distributed. The smoked torula yeast and spices are responsible for the rich, savory umami notes that make the snack so satisfying. Paprika is a visual ingredient, making the product look more appealing. The use of 'contains 2% or less' is standard food industry practice for ingredients that are not the main component but are essential for taste and appearance.

Conclusion

While the unsalted version of Great Value dry roasted peanuts is a straightforward snack of just peanuts, the popular salted variety is a more complex product. It uses a precise blend of peanuts, sea salt, and a range of flavor enhancers and binding agents—including sugar, cornstarch, maltodextrin, torula yeast, and spices—to achieve its signature taste and appearance. For those managing allergies, it's vital to check for the presence of soy and potential cross-contamination with other nuts. Ultimately, this detailed ingredient list shows that creating a favorite snack's flavor profile often involves more than just a simple seasoning.

For a general overview of peanut health benefits, you can visit the USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ingredient list for Great Value dry roasted peanuts (salted version) does not contain any gluten-based ingredients, such as wheat. However, people with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity should be aware of potential cross-contamination in the manufacturing facility, which is a possibility with many mass-produced food products.

The standard salted version of Great Value dry roasted peanuts does not contain MSG (monosodium glutamate) as a listed ingredient. It uses other ingredients like torula yeast to provide a savory, umami flavor. Some variants, like unsalted in-shell peanuts, may list ingredients that function as flavor enhancers.

Yes, the ingredient list for the salted variety explicitly includes sugar and corn syrup solids. However, these are present in small quantities, as noted by the 'contains 2% or less of the following' declaration.

The unsalted version is much simpler, typically containing only peanuts. This version lacks the extensive list of flavorings and additives found in the salted version, making it a more minimalist option.

Torula yeast is a flavor enhancer used to add a savory, slightly smoky, and meaty taste, often described as umami. It is a common substitute for MSG in processed foods.

According to analyses from sources like Open Food Facts, the presence of additives like maltodextrin may lead to it being classified with some level of processing. For many consumers, the simplicity of the unsalted version makes it a less processed choice compared to the seasoned product.

The ingredient list clarifies that paprika is added for its color, rather than for a spicy flavor. This helps give the finished product its visual appeal.