If you want to learn how to cook butternut squash, this is the article for you! With recipes for cooking this hearty winter squash 3 ways – halved, cubed, or in the microwave for a super quick and easy version. Great as a side dish, or stuff it and enjoy as a main course!
What’s So Great About Butternut Squash
- Butternut squash is full of fiber and vitamins, and it’s low-calorie and low-fat! This fruit (YUP. Fruit! Not technically a vegetable, even though we cook it and treat it like it is.) is loaded with antioxidants, too.
- It’s a versatile side dish and perfect for the holidays! Pumpkin gets all the post-summer fruit attention, but butternut squash is a total autumnal rockstar in its own right. If you’re not including cooked butternut squash on your Thanksgiving table, you’re missing out!
- You can prepare it in the oven, Instant Pot, or microwave. It takes basically no effort to prepare, too – some methods require you to just cut in half!
How Do You Use Cooked Butternut Squash?
What can you do with cooked butternut squash, you ask? Oh, SO MUCH! The options are virtually endless.
You can totally serve the squash as-is. It’s a delicious side and compliments a variety of main dishes. I also like to toss the roasted cubes on top of a salad for a little color and texture.
For oomph, you can season the cooked butternut squash with salt and pepper, then mash it with butter until you’ve gotten a sort-of mashed potato consistency.
With a few extra ingredients, you can blend the butternut squash into an incredible soup – check out our Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup recipe for all the details!
Can You Eat the Skin of Butternut Squash?
Well, yes. Technically. It depends.
Cooked butternut squash skin is totally edible and it contains a lot of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Depending on the age of your squash, though, it can have a tough, unpleasant texture. If your squash is young, the skin may be tender enough to eat, but for older squash, you’ll probably want to scoop the flesh out instead.
Chef’s Tips
- If you’re roasting cubed butternut squash, you’ll want to peel it before you cube it. Don’t worry, a basic old vegetable peeler will do the trick!
- Sometimes you’ll want to cook butternut squash without any seasoning at all, but when you do want to add a little flavor, you can season the squash any number of ways. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top, or use a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar. Brush the squash with avocado oil or drizzle a little maple syrup on top. Cooked butternut squash can be savory or sweet, which is a big reason I love it so much!
- How do you know which butternut squash to choose at the grocery store? It’s easy! Look for one that’s a solid, dark beige, without any green streaks or brown spots on the skin. If it’s punctured (that happens sometimes in transit) then skip that one – punctures can let bacteria into the flesh. The best butternut squash for cooking should feel firm and heavy for its size, so pick up two or three of comparable sizes and see how they feel.
- You can season and roast butternut squash seeds much like you would roast and eat pumpkin seeds, so don’t throw those babies out!
More Easy Side Dishes You’ll Love
- Whole30 Green Beans
- Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Simple Carrot Puree
- Amish Broccoli Salad
- Air Fryer Asparagus
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How to Cook Butternut Squash (3 Ways)
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Spoon or scoop (to remove seeds)
- Cooking appliance of choice
- Microwave-safe dish (if microwaving)
- Baking sheet (if oven-roasting)
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash washed and dried
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral oil
- seasonings optional, as desired
Instructions
Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup water.
- Cut the squash in half, lengthwise, and remove any seeds. Place each half in the Instant Pot in a single flat layer.
- Cook on Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the lid and transfer squash to another bowl or dish.
Butternut Squash in the Microwave
- Cut the squash in half, lengthwise, and remove any seeds. Place squash face up (skin side down) in a microwave safe dish or on a microwave safe plate.
- Microwave 8 to 10 minutes, until soft enough to easily pierce with fork. Microwave time will depend on size of squash, size of microwave, and microwave wattage. For a smaller microwave, you may need to cook one squash-half at a time.
Butternut Squash in the Oven
- Roasted Halves: Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Cut the butternut squash in half, lengthwise. Remove any seeds and brush orange flesh with avocado oil. Bake face down (skin side up) on baking sheet for 50 minutes, or until soft enough to easily pierce with fork.
- Roasted Cubes: Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit. Peel squash and cut in half. Remove any seeds, then cut squash into cubes. Drizzle with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Place on baking sheet in single, even layer. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
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Alexandra A Andor says
Thank you for creating these tips!! VERY helpful indeed! God bless you too!
Monique says
I love the fact that you’re giving several different ways and you include on what butternut squash to look for at the store and the different methods of cooking that you’re showing are the most popular. So much easier to just cut in half and take out seeds and that’s the only prep you need to do. Thank you for sharing an easy way to cook something very good for you
Cheryl Malik says
You’re welcome! Thank you for the great review.
CHARLES PACE says
Is the face of an butternut squash the inside of the squash or the outside of the squash
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
The inside of the squash. 🙂 Sorry about the confusion!
Kyle says
You gave nutritional inflation but without portion size as far as I can tell. How much squash do I get to enjoy for 115 calories?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
One cup of butternut squash has 63 calories. 🙂
Shirley Shaw says
Perfect. Thank you
Cheryl Malik says
Glad you enjoyed it, Shirley!
rachel says
Thank You. I like how you listed 3 options. Very helpful.
Amelia Camurati says
Thanks Rachel!