How To Shell A Black Walnut

You can shell a black walnut by cracking its tough outer hull and extracting the nutmeat inside. 

It’s not as simple as cracking a store-bought walnut, but it’s absolutely doable with the right approach. 

Black walnuts have an incredibly hard shell, so you’ll need some patience and the right tools to get the job done. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to shell a black walnut without destroying the nut inside, this guide will walk you through it step by step. 

In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to shell a black walnut, from harvesting to cracking to storing the nutmeat. 

Let’s get cracking. 

How to Shell a Black Walnut: The Complete Process

Learning how to shell a black walnut starts with understanding what you’re dealing with. 

The black walnut has one of the hardest shells of any nut, which is why you can’t just use a standard nutcracker. 

Here’s how to shell a black walnut from start to finish. 

1. Start With Properly Husked and Cured Nuts

Before you can shell a black walnut, you need nuts that are properly husked and cured. 

The green husk that surrounds black walnuts needs to be removed first. 

You can do this by stomping on them, tumbling them, or simply letting them dry until the husk turns brown and falls off. 

Once husked, the nuts need to cure in a cool, dry place for about two to three weeks. 

This curing process is essential when learning how to shell a black walnut because it dries the shell and shrinks the nutmeat slightly, making it easier to extract. 

If you try to shell a black walnut before it’s properly cured, the nutmeat will be mushy and hard to get out in one piece. 

2. Use the Right Tools for Cracking

The right tools make all the difference when you shell a black walnut. 

A standard nutcracker won’t cut it. 

You’ll need a heavy-duty nutcracker, a hammer, or a bench vise. 

Many people find that a vise works best when you shell a black walnut because it applies steady, even pressure. 

Place the nut in the vise and tighten slowly until you hear the shell crack. 

If you’re using a hammer, place the nut on a hard surface like a concrete floor or a piece of steel. 

Give it a firm whack, but don’t smash it too hard. 

You want the shell to crack open, not shatter into a thousand pieces. 

3. Position the Nut Correctly Before Cracking

How you position the black walnut before cracking it matters more than you might think. 

Look for the seam on the shell. 

Every black walnut has a natural seam where the two halves of the shell meet. 

If you hit the nut along this seam, it will crack more cleanly and release the nutmeat more easily. 

This tip alone can make the difference between a frustrating mess and a successful shelling session. 

When you shell a black walnut, always aim for the seam. 

4. Extract the Nutmeat Carefully

Once the shell is cracked, it’s time to extract the nutmeat. 

Use a nut pick or a small screwdriver to gently pry the nutmeat out. 

This is the part where you need to be patient. 

Black walnut nutmeat is fragile and can break easily if you rush. 

Take your time and work the pick around the edges of the nutmeat. 

If you’re wondering how to shell a black walnut without breaking the nutmeat, the answer is simple: go slow. 

Some pieces will break no matter what you do, and that’s okay. 

Broken pieces taste just as good as whole ones. 

Tips for Making Black Walnut Shelling Easier

Even with the right technique, how to shell a black walnut can still be a challenge. 

Here are some tips to make the process smoother. 

1. Soak the Nuts Before Cracking

Some people soak black walnuts in water for a few hours before cracking. 

This softens the shell slightly and makes it easier to crack. 

However, don’t soak them too long or the nutmeat will get waterlogged. 

A two to four hour soak is usually enough. 

2. Crack in Batches

Don’t try to shell a black walnut one at a time. 

Crack a batch of nuts first, then extract the nutmeat from all of them. 

This saves time and lets you work more efficiently. 

It also gives your hands a break from the repetitive motion of cracking. 

3. Wear Gloves

Black walnut husks contain juglone, which can stain your hands for weeks. 

Even if you’re just cracking the shells, wearing gloves is a good idea. 

The shells themselves can also be rough on your hands, especially if you’re cracking a large batch. 

4. Freeze the Nuts Before Cracking

Freezing black walnuts for a few hours before cracking can make the shell more brittle. 

This makes it easier to crack and can help the nutmeat release more cleanly. 

Just take them out of the freezer and crack them while they’re still cold. 

Storing Your Shelled Black Walnuts

Once you’ve learned how to shell a black walnut, you need to store the nutmeat properly. 

Black walnut nutmeat is rich in oils and can go rancid if not stored correctly. 

1. Refrigerate for Short-Term Storage

If you plan to use your shelled black walnuts within a few weeks, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

This keeps them fresh and prevents them from absorbing odors from other foods. 

2. Freeze for Long-Term Storage

For longer storage, freeze your shelled black walnuts. 

Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and squeeze out as much air as possible. 

They’ll keep for up to a year in the freezer. 

Just thaw them in the refrigerator before using them in your favorite recipes. 

So, How Do You Shell a Black Walnut?

You shell a black walnut by curing the nuts properly, using the right tools, and positioning them along the seam before cracking. 

It takes patience and practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to shell black walnuts like a pro. 

The key is to work slowly and carefully so you don’t crush the nutmeat inside. 

With these tips, you’ll be enjoying fresh black walnuts in no time.