Super easy step-by-step instructions for how to cut butternut squash EASILY. Then you’ll have gobs of delicious squash flesh on your hands to cook with!
I fully admit that I avoided the delicious butternut squash for a very long time due to its slightly intimidating thick skin. I had no idea how to get past it and I know I’m not the only one.
After trying various squash recipes at restaurants I decided to grab my sharpest knife and give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was much easier than I ever could have imagined. Yay!
How To Cut Butternut Squash (and peel it, too!)
First, you’ll want to grab your sharpest chef’s knife. If you do not have a long, sharp knife microwave the squash for 1-2 minutes to soften the skin. Stab the squash with a fork a few times first, if you go this route.
Place the squash on its side on top of a cutting board and cut top and bottom ends off. Discard.
Use a potato or vegetable peeler to remove the skin away from the squash, all the way around.
Stand it on its end and cut the squash down the center lengthwise.
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds toward the fat part of the squash. Discard.
Turn the peeled butternut squash halves over so the flat sides are on the cutting board.
Slice each half lengthwise into 1-inch strips, then crosswise into 1-inch strips. Lay slices flat and cut another set of lengthwise cuts to create cubes.
The squash is now ready to roast or to use in your favorite recipe!
Butternut Squash Recipes
- Oven Roasted Butternut Squash is super easy to make. Delicious side dish for any meal. This delicious fall staple is versatile!
- If you want to add apples to the mix, follow this roasted butternut squash and apples recipe instead!
- Butternut squash soup is guaranteed creamy, packed with comforting flavor and super easy to prepare.
- Consider roasting and mashing them and using it in place of sweet potatoes in your next sweet potato casserole.
- Use equal parts mashed squash and mashed sweet potatoes as a replacement for pumpkin puree in your next pumpkin dish!
- Also consider replacing mashed squash for pumpkin puree in this delicious pumpkin mac and cheese recipe! Replace elbow macaroni with any type of pasta.
How To Make Roasted Squash
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Add 1 peeled and chopped butternut squash in a single layer. Drizzle 4 tablespoons of melted butter or olive oil over the top and toss to coat. Place squash in the oven.
Sprinkle with sea salt and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice throughout. Sprinkle with extra salt, if desired, and serve immediately!
FAQ About Butternut Squash
Fungal fruiting bodies can appear on the vegetable that might appear as black specks in a ring or bronzed, irregular patches. If they don’t overtake the entire vegetable, you can cut off the offending part and enjoy the rest.
Both vegetables are good for you in moderation. They have antioxidants like beta-carotene and a good source of vitamins and minerals. However, sweet potatoes have double the calories and carbs that squash does so be sure to eat an appropriate portion for your diet.
Butternut squash is a starchy, winter vegetable so it’s good for you even though it is higher in carbs than a zucchini. But a cup of butternut squash offers a good source of Vitamin E, potassium and anti-oxidants. So enjoy each spoonful of this tasty meal!
If just a small section of the vegetable is squishy, cut off the offending part and use the rest. If it’s the majority of the ingredient, then throw it away.
How to Cut Butternut Squash (and peel it, too!)
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash
Instructions
- Place the squash on its side on top of a cutting board and cut top and bottom ends off. Discard.
- Use a potato or vegetable peeler to remove the skin away from the squash, all the way around.
- Stand it on its end and cut the squash down the center lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds toward the fat part of the squash. Discard.
- Turn the peeled butternut squash halves over so the flat sides are on the cutting board.
- Slice each half lengthwise into 1-inch strips, then crosswise into 1-inch strips. Lay slices flat and cut another set of lengthwise cuts to create cubes.
- The squash is now ready to roast or to use in your favorite recipe!
Notes
- Grab your sharpest chef’s knife to cut into the squash. If you do not have a long, sharp knife, microwave the squash for 1-2 minutes to soften the skin. Stab the squash with a fork a few times first, if you go this route.
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