One of the quickest ways to cook butternut squash is in the microwave. It makes cutting, peeling and dicing the raw squash a thing of the past.
Here we are again with one of my favorite winter squashes. The butternut squash.
Based on the popularity of some of the butternut squash posts on my website, like this one for whole-roasted butternut squash or this creamy butternut squash soup recipe, you’re a fan as well.
Easiest Way To Cook Butternut Squash
Now, I have heard complaints about the difficulty in cutting and peeling squash, and I will be honest, I have voiced the same complaints. Well, you can stop using those reasons not to cook with butternut squash because I have a very simple solution for both of the issues. Your microwave.
I don’t tend to cook using my microwave very much. However, there are some things, like doing bacon in the microwave, corn on the cob in the microwave, and butternut squash in the microwave, that make life so much easier.
So yes, you can cook the whole squash in the microwave. No peeling, cutting or dicing before cooking. Simply make some slits in the skin, place it on a microwavable plate, set the timer and watch it spin its way to a perfectly cooked veggie that is easy to peel, cut, and dice.
One very important step is to make slits in the skin. This allows steam to escape. Don’t skip this step.
I used a sharp paring knife. I think it is much easier than trying to chase the squash around the counter as I’m trying to poke holes through the skin with a fork. If you have perfected that craft, then use it. I’m going to stick with the paring knife.
How Long Does Butternut Squash Take In The Microwave?
The cooking time is dependent on the size of the squash. For the 3 pound squash that I used, it was 12 minutes. I did start checking it at 10 minutes and then continued to cook it checking at 1-minute intervals. When the paring knife sunk easily into the flesh, I knew it was done.
Make sure that you let the squash cool before you handle it. You can slice it lengthwise, remove the seeds, and scoop out the flesh. Or peel the whole squash with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, cut it lengthwise, remove the seeds, and dice it up and use it in a fall Butternut Squash Casserole like this one. Or, you can mash the cooked butternut squash up with butter, cream, and pumpkin spice like this. So seriously delicious!
Prepare to be amazed!
More Easy Veggie Recipes
I am pretty much obsessed with this sweet and buttery vegetable, and so, I have this great tutorial on 8 Ways To Cook Butternut Squash. If you’re not going to use the microwave, one of those methods might work for you. I’m a particular fan of cooking Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot and this recipe for a Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberry Glaze, instance.
I also have a ton of delicious side dish recipes that you can look at over here, and here are some of my favorite easy vegetable recipes:
- How To Cook Beet Greens
- Roasted Beets
- Italian Roasted Cauliflower
- How To Roast Eggplant Whole
- Instant Pot Beets
- Lemon Butter Broccoli
Podcast Episode: Making Microwave Butternut Squash
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
PrintRecipe: Microwave Butternut Squash
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 1 cooked squash 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
One of the quickest ways to cook butternut squash is in the microwave. It makes cutting, peeling, and dicing the raw squash a thing of the past.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-lb.) butternut squash, washed and patted dry
Instructions
- Using a sharp paring knife, make several slits around the squash. This will allow steam to escape.
- Place the squash on a microwave-safe dish and place in the microwave.
- Microwave on high for 10 minutes. Use a paring knife to poke into it and see if it is soft inside. If not, cook for another minute and test again, and then another minute after that.*
- Remove the squash carefully and allow to cool enough to handle.
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and scoop the flesh from the skin.
- Alternatively, remove the skin from the flesh with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, cut in half lengthwise and dice.
Notes
*Some squash are more dense than others and end up needing longer to cook. If yours isn’t soft after 12 minutes, set the power level to 50% and then cook it in 1 minute intervals until softened. The reason for the reduced power level is so that the outside of the squash doesn’t start to overcook before the inside is soft enough.