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Black walnuts are incredibly versatile, and you can do a whole lot more with them than just cracking them open for a snack.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a pile of these tough-shelled nuts and wondering what can you do with black walnuts, you’re in for a treat.
These nuts have a distinct, bold flavor that makes them a favorite in baking, cooking, and even natural remedies.
From whipping up a batch of fudgy brownies to creating your own homemade tincture, there are plenty of creative ways to use black walnuts.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the best things you can do with black walnuts, whether you’ve foraged them yourself or picked up a bag at the store.
Let’s dive in.
What Can You Do With Black Walnuts?
The short answer is: a lot.
Black walnuts can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, turned into natural dyes, and even used for their potential health benefits.
Here are some of the most popular and practical ways to make the most of your black walnut harvest.
1. Bake Them Into Desserts
One of the most common things you can do with black walnuts is bake them into your favorite desserts.
Their rich, earthy flavor pairs beautifully with chocolate, caramel, and maple.
Think black walnut brownies, cookies, or even a classic black walnut cake.
You can also sprinkle chopped black walnuts over ice cream or mix them into pancake batter for a hearty breakfast twist.
Just remember that black walnuts have a stronger taste than regular walnuts, so a little goes a long way.
2. Add Them to Savory Dishes
Black walnuts aren’t just for sweets.
You can chop them up and add them to salads for a satisfying crunch.
They also work well in stuffing, pasta dishes, and even as a coating for chicken or fish.
Try tossing them into a warm spinach salad with goat cheese and dried cranberries.
The bold flavor of black walnuts can handle strong ingredients like blue cheese or balsamic vinegar.
3. Make Black Walnut Butter
If you love nut butter, you have to try making black walnut butter.
It’s creamy, rich, and packed with flavor.
All you need is a food processor, a little patience, and a pinch of salt.
You can also blend black walnuts with other nuts like almonds or pecans for a custom mix.
Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or eat it straight from the spoon.
4. Create Natural Dyes and Stains
Here’s a fun one: black walnut hulls can be used to make natural dye.
The hulls contain juglone, which produces a rich brown color.
You can use this dye on fabric, wood, or even your hair if you’re feeling adventurous.
Many people also use black walnut hulls to stain wood for furniture or crafts.
Just be careful because it stains everything it touches, including your hands.
Other Creative Uses for Black Walnuts
Beyond the kitchen, black walnuts have some surprising applications that might come in handy.
Here are a few more things you can do with black walnuts that you might not have considered.
1. Make a Tincture or Extract
Black walnut hulls are often used to make tinctures and extracts.
These are popular in herbal medicine for their potential antifungal and antiparasitic properties.
You can make your own by soaking black walnut hulls in alcohol for several weeks.
Always consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy.
2. Use Them as a Natural Pest Repellent
The juglone in black walnuts is actually toxic to some plants and insects.
You can use black walnut leaves or hulls around your garden to repel certain pests.
Just be aware that juglone can also harm beneficial plants, so use it carefully.
3. Craft With the Shells
The hard shells of black walnuts are great for crafts.
You can use them as decorative mulch, fill small fabric sachets for a rustic look, or even make jewelry.
They also make excellent kindling for fires because they burn hot and slow.
4. Feed the Birds (and Squirrels)
If you have more black walnuts than you know what to do with, share the wealth.
Birds and squirrels love black walnuts, and they’ll happily take them off your hands.
Just make sure you’re not putting out too many at once, or you might attract unwanted critters.
So, What Can You Do With Black Walnuts?
You can do a surprising number of things with black walnuts, from baking them into desserts to using them for natural dye and pest control.
Whether you’re a forager, a baker, or a crafter, there’s a use for every part of the black walnut.
The next time you come across a stash of these flavorful nuts, don’t just let them go to waste.
Get creative and try one of these ideas.
You might just discover a new favorite.