What Can You Do With Black Walnuts

Black walnuts are incredibly versatile, and you can do a surprising number of things with them beyond 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 the right place.
 
These nuts have a bold, earthy flavor that’s much stronger than regular English walnuts, and they can be used in everything from baking to natural dyeing.
 
In this post, we’ll explore what you can do with black walnuts, including how to harvest and process them, creative culinary uses, and some non-food applications that might surprise you.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

What Can You Do With Black Walnuts?

The short answer is: quite a lot.
 
Black walnuts are not just for eating, although that’s certainly a big part of it.
 
You can turn them into tasty treats, use their hulls for crafts and dyes, and even make your own natural cleaning solutions.
 
Here are some of the best things you can do with black walnuts.
 

1. Harvest and Crack Them for Fresh Nutmeats

The most obvious thing you can do with black walnuts is harvest them and enjoy the nutmeats.
 
You’ll want to gather them in the fall after the green hulls turn brown and start to soften.
 
Once you’ve collected them, remove the hulls (which will stain your hands, so wear gloves), then wash and dry the nuts thoroughly.
 
After they’ve cured in a cool, dry place for a few weeks, you can crack them open with a hammer or a heavy-duty nutcracker.
 
The shells are extremely hard, so it takes some effort, but the rich, bold flavor of fresh black walnuts is worth it.
 

2. Bake Them Into Breads, Cookies, and Cakes

Another great thing you can do with black walnuts is bake with them.
 
Their strong, distinctive taste pairs beautifully with sweet baked goods like banana bread, brownies, and oatmeal cookies.
 
You can chop them up and fold them into the batter, or sprinkle them on top for a crunchy finish.
 
Just remember that black walnuts are more potent than regular walnuts, so a little goes a long way.
 
Start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.
 

3. Make Black Walnut Ice Cream or Butter

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use black walnuts to make homemade ice cream or nut butter.
 
Black walnut ice cream is a classic in some regions, known for its deep, almost maple-like flavor.
 
For nut butter, simply blend the nutmeats in a food processor until smooth, adding a little oil or honey if needed.
 
It’s a delicious way to enjoy what you can do with black walnuts without just snacking on them plain.
 

Non-Culinary Uses for Black Walnuts

Black walnuts aren’t just for the kitchen.
 
There are plenty of practical and creative ways to use them around your home and garden.
 

1. Use the Hulls for Natural Dye

One of the most popular non-food uses is making dye from the hulls.
 
The hulls contain juglone, a compound that produces a rich brown or dark yellow dye.
 
You can simmer the hulls in water, strain the liquid, and use it to dye fabric, yarn, or even wood.
 
It’s a great way to use up the parts of the black walnut you’d otherwise throw away.
 

2. Create Natural Wood Stain

Similarly, you can make a natural wood stain by soaking black walnut hulls in water or alcohol.
 
The resulting liquid can be brushed onto wood to give it a warm, aged look.
 
This is a favorite trick among woodworkers who want a non-toxic, eco-friendly finish.
 
So if you’re wondering what you can do with black walnuts beyond eating, this is a fantastic option.
 

3. Repel Insects and Pests

Black walnut hulls and leaves contain juglone, which is toxic to many insects and some plants.
 
You can scatter chopped hulls around your garden to deter ants, beetles, and other pests.
 
Just be careful not to use them near sensitive plants, as juglone can also harm certain vegetables and flowers.
 

4. Make a Natural Abrasive Cleaner

Ground black walnut shells are actually used in commercial abrasive cleaners and sandblasting.
 
You can crush the shells yourself and use them as a gentle scouring powder for pots, pans, and tools.
 
It’s a tough, natural alternative to chemical cleaners, and it’s just another example of what you can do with black walnuts.
 

Tips for Using Black Walnuts Safely

Before you dive into all these projects, there are a few things to keep in mind.
 
First, always wear gloves when handling the hulls, as they stain everything they touch.
 
Second, be aware that black walnuts can be toxic to some plants and animals, so keep them away from horses and dogs.
 
Finally, if you’re allergic to tree nuts, you should avoid eating black walnuts altogether.
 
With those precautions in mind, you can safely enjoy all the things you can do with black walnuts.
 

So, What Can You Do With Black Walnuts?

You can do a lot with black walnuts, from baking them into your favorite treats to using their hulls for dye and wood stain.
 
They’re a versatile, flavorful nut with a long history of practical uses.
 
Whether you’re cracking them open for a snack or experimenting with natural dyes, black walnuts are worth the effort.
 
So next time you come across a black walnut tree, you’ll know exactly what you can do with black walnuts.