Whether you’re an experienced chef or just getting started in the kitchen, learning how to cook butternut squash is an essential skill. Butternut squash is a great ingredient to add to any meal. With a few simple steps and helpful tips, you can learn how to cook butternut squash with ease.
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Learning how to cook butternut squash can seem intimidating at first, but with the right method, you can easily make this delicious fruit. Butternut squash has a unique sweet and nutty taste that can be used in savory or sweet dishes. It is a flavor-filled, healthy fruit that makes for an amazing side dish or main course.
Butternut squash is rich in important vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants.
What Is Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a type of winter squash that has a sweet and nutty flavor. It is often used in soups, stews, casseroles, and other savory dishes. The squash is oval-shaped with a tan exterior and orange flesh inside.
Types of Butternut Squash
There are many times of butternut squash but a popular variety is the Waltham butternut squash, known for its sweet and nutty flavor. This type of squash has a long neck and bulbous base, making it easy to cut into cubes or slices. It’s commonly used in soups, stews, roasted vegetables or mashed as a side dish.
Another popular type is the Butterbush butternut squash which has a more creamy texture than other varieties.
Benefits of Butternut Squash
One of the most significant benefits of butternut squash is its ability to boost brain function. The high levels of potassium found in this vegetable can help enhance cognitive abilities such as memory retention and focus. Additionally, the antioxidants found in butternut squash may help reduce inflammation in the brain cells, protecting them from damage that can lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Another great benefit of butternut squash is that it can aid weight loss efforts by promoting feelings of fullness without adding many calories.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Oven
STEP 1: PREHEAT
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and optionally, line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
STEP 2: CUT
Carefully cut in half lengthwise the butternut squash, cutting it from top to bottom completely.
STEP 3: SCOOP SEEDS
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash. Save for another use or discard them.
STEP 4: BRUSH AND PLACE
Brush the cut-side of squash halves with avocado oil. Put squash cut-side down on a baking sheet and place baking sheet in preheated oven.
STEP 5: ROAST AND REMOVE
Roast the squash for 45 to 50 minutes or until the squash is soft enough to pierce with a fork easily. Remove from oven, transfer to a large bowl, and serve.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot
STEP 1: CUT
Carefully cut through butternut squash lengthwise into halves, cutting all the way through the squash from top to bottom.
STEP 2: SCOOP SEEDS
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash. Save for another use or discard them.
STEP 3: PLACE
Place a trivet in the Instant Pot. Pour in 1 cup of water, then place butternut squash halves cut-side up on the trivet.
STEP 4: SECURE LID
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot with the vent in the Sealing position. Set Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes. Instant Pot will pressure and then start cooking time.
STEP 5: SERVE
After 8 minutes, Natural Release pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully Quick Release any further steam and take off the lid from Instant Pot. Transfer cooked squash to a large bowl and enjoy.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Microwave
STEP 1: CUT
Carefully cut through butternut squash lengthwise into halves, cutting all the way through the squash from top to bottom.
STEP 2: SCOOP SEEDS
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash. Save for another use or discard them.
STEP 3: PLACE
Place squash cut-side up in a microwave-safe dish. Place dish in microwave and microwave squash for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, check the doneness of the squash. Continue microwaving in 2-minute increments, until squash is soft enough to be pierced with a fork.
STEP 4: SERVE
Transfer squash to a large bowl and serve as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, rosemary, sage, thyme, bay leaf. These herbs and spices help bring out the flavor of the squash.
Choose one that’s solid and heavy, and has a dark beige color. Avoid purchasing one that has green streaks or brown spots on the squash.
A Butternut has the longest storage potential of all squash varieties. The longer you store it, the sweeter and nuttier the flavor becomes.
Expert Tips for How to Cook Butternut Squash
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
- Versatile Cutting: Butternut squash can be halved, cubed, or sliced. You can change your technique for cutting and it would still work with whichever cooking method you prefer.
- Recommended Tools & Equipment:
- Chef’s Knife
- Baking Tray
- Instant Pot
- Cutting Board
More Ingredient Tutorials
Butternut Squash Recipes to Try
- Stovetop Chili
- Easy 21 Day Fix Meals
- What to Serve with Meatloaf
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How to Cook Butternut Squash
Equipment
- 1 Baking Tray
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Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and optionally, line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Carefully cut in half lengthwise the butternut squash, cutting it from top to bottom completely.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash. Save for another use or discard them.
- Brush the cut-side of squash halves with avocado oil. Put squash cut-side down on a baking sheet and place baking sheet in preheated oven.
- Roast the squash for 45 to 50 minutes or until the squash is soft enough to pierce with a fork easily. Remove from oven, transfer to a large bowl, and serve.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot
- Carefully cut through butternut squash lengthwise into halves, cutting all the way through the squash from top to bottom.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash. Save for another use or discard them.
- Place a trivet in the Instant Pot. Pour in 1 cup of water, then place butternut squash halves cut-side up on the trivet.
- Secure the lid on your Instant Pot with the vent in the Sealing position. Set Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes. Instant Pot will pressure and then start cooking time.
- After 8 minutes, Natural Release pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully Quick Release any further steam and take off the lid from Instant Pot. Transfer cooked squash to a large bowl and enjoy.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Microwave
- Carefully cut through butternut squash lengthwise into halves, cutting all the way through the squash from top to bottom.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash. Save for another use or discard them.
- Place squash cut-side up in a microwave-safe dish. Place dish in microwave and microwave squash for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, check the doneness of the squash. Continue microwaving in 2-minute increments, until squash is soft enough to be pierced with a fork.
- Transfer squash to a large bowl and serve as desired.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
- Versatile Cutting: Butternut squash can be halved, cubed, or sliced. You can change your technique for cutting and it would still work with whichever cooking method you prefer.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.