If you want to learn how to cook butternut squash, this is the article for you! With recipes for cooking this hearty winter squash halved, cubed, or in the microwave for a super quick and easy version. Great as a side dish or stuffed as a main course!
It’s So Easy To Cook Butternut Squash!
- You can prepare butternut squash in the oven, instant pot or microwave.
- It takes no effort to prepare the squash for cooking, some methods require you to just cut in half!
- Butternut squash is a great source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, E, and B6.
- It’s a versatile side dish and perfect for the holidays!
How To Cook Butternut Squash
Instant Pot
- Cut the butternut squash in half and place each half separately in a pressure cooker with avocado oil, cook on high pressure for 10 mins.
- Quick-release immediately and remove from the cooker.
For Halved Squash in Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the butternut squash in half and place avocado oil on the orange part of the squash.
- Bake face down on a baking sheet for 50 minutes.
Microwave
- Cut the squash in 1/2 in and microwave for 10 minutes until soft.
For Cubed Squash in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Peel the squash and cut in half. Cube the squash and drizzle with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes until tender.
How Do You Prepare Butternut Squash?
Butternut squash may look a little intimidating but it is so easy to prepare! If you are cooking it in the pressure cooker or microwave, you simply need to cut the squash in half – that’s it! If you are oven roasting the halves, just add a little avocado oil.
If you plan on roasting cubed squash, you will have to peel it first, a standard vegetable peeler is perfect for this. Cut it in half and then use a long and heavy knife and use pressure to cut it into cubes.
Can You Eat the Skin?
Cooked butternut squash skin is totally edible and it contains a lot of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, depending on the age of your squash, it can be quite tough to eat. If your squash is young, the skin may be tender enough to eat, but for older squash, you may want to scoop the flesh out instead.
What Do You Do With the Cooked Squash?
If you cooked the butternut squash in halves, the flesh can be mashed with salt, pepper, and a little butter and served as a side dish, you can also serve the halves as is. The flesh can also be used for soups.
The roasted cubes are really great in a salad or as a side for your holiday menus. It works great with turkey breast, roast chicken or salmon.
Top Tips to Cook Butternut Squash
- All of these methods to cook the squash are really delicious. Cook in an Instant Pot to save oven space, microwave when you are short on time or in the oven for a hands-off side.
- Chose a butternut squash that has a solid beige color without deep cuts or bruises. It should feel heavy for its size.
For More Vegetable Side Dish Recipes:
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How to Cook Butternut Squash (3 ways)
Learn 3 ways for how to cook butternut squash to perfect a delicious and easy side dish for fall and winter. Roasted halves, microwaved, and cubed!
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Cut the butternut squash in half and place each half separately in pressure cooker with avocado oil, cook on high pressure for 10 mins.
- Quick release immediately and remove from cooker.
For halved squash in oven
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the butternut squash in half and place avocado oil on the orange part of squash.
- Bake face down on baking sheet for 50 minutes.
Microwave
- Cut the squash in 1/2 in and microwave for 10 minutes until soft.
For cubed squash in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Peel the squash and cut in half. Cube the squash and drizzle with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Place in single layer on baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes until tender.
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