Name: Instant Pot Butternut Squash
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 butternut squash, peeled, gutted and cut into 1 inch cubes; 1 cup water; Cooking Option 2 Only- 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 butternut squash, halved lengthwise, gutted and quartered; 1 cup water

Cook butternut squash in no time by cooking it in the Instant Pot! You will have perfectly cooked butternut squash in under 10 minutes. Use the butternut squash in all your favorite recipes!

Don’t have an Instant Pot? Try roasting your butternut squash in the oven by following our tutorial on how to roast butternut squash!

Scooping the innards out of butternut squash

Butternut Squash 101

If I had to choose between butternut squash and sweet potatoes, I would choose butternut squash every time. This is a controversial statement seeing that sweet potatoes are a favorite in the Fit Foodie kitchen.

Butternut squash is flavorful, versatile, and a favorite ingredient during the holiday season. Guess what? You can use butternut squash all year long if it’s available to you!

Just make homemade butternut squash puree and store it yourself if you know you will have a hankering for butternut squash throughout the year.

What is the easiest way to cut butternut squash?

Some people avoid butternut squash all together because it is so hard to cut. I’m here to tell you that there is a way to cut butternut squash without fear of cutting off your fingers. Here are some helpful tips + trips when cutting butternut squash.

Make sure you are cutting on a flat and secure surface. You want your cutting board to stay put as you’re cutting.
Using a large and very sharp chefs knife will make cutting butternut squash a thousand times easier than using a dull knife. We love our Wusthof chefs’ knife.
If you want to peel your butternut squash, use a vegetable peeler! Do not try and peel the butternut squash with a knife. Butternut squash is too uneven to do it safely.
Before cutting a butternut squash lengthwise, cut the top off the butternut squash and set that flush with the cutting board so you have a solid base to work with.
You can cut butternut squash any way you’d like but we prefer cubed or halved!

Is butternut squash healthy?

Yes, butternut squash is healthy! It all depends on how you prepare your butternut squash! Butternut squash is packed with vitamin A, potassium, and fiber!

Can I eat butternut squash seeds?

Yes, you can eat butternut squash seeds. All you have to do is dig them out of the butternut squash seeds and place them in a sieve. Rinse them with water and place them on a towel to dry.

Place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and pepper and Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350ºF or until they are golden brown.

What is the best way to cook butternut squash?

There are many ways to cook butternut squash, but our favorite way is in the Instant Pot!

You just can’t beat how easy it is to prepare butternut squash in the Instant Pot. Butternut squash can be ready to eat or ready to incorporate into any of your favorite butternut squash recipes in under 10 minutes. Can you believe it?

First things, first. You can cut your butternut squash two ways before placing it in the Instant Pot and it all depends on what you are using your butternut squash for.

Cubed

If you are planning to use the butternut squash as a side dish or in a meal prep recipe (like these butternut squash buddha bowls) then cubbing the butternut squash is the way to go.

To cube butternut squash, start by cutting both ends of the butternut squash off. Then, use a vegetable peeler to peel the rind off of the butternut squash.

Next, cut the butternut squash lengthwise and dig out the seeds and cut the butternut squash into cubes.

Option 1: If you want the butternut squash golden brown, use the saute function to fry up the cubed butternut squash (about 3-4 minutes), remove, and then place the cubes into a microwave and oven safe bowl and place the bowl onto the trivet in the bottom of the instant pot.

Pour water into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Set pressure to high and cook for 1 minute.

Option 2: Feel free to skip the saute step and then just place the butternut squash cubes into a bowl, place the bowl on the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot and set to high pressure and cook for 3 minutes. (don’t forget to add the water to the Instant Pot.

Remove from the Instant Pot and use in your favorite dishes!

Cooked butternut squash in an Instant Pot

Halved

The second option is to halve the butternut squash, rather then cutting it into cubes. You would do this if you are planning on making butternut squash puree, butternut squash soup, or if you want to keep it in your fridge for later.

To cook butternut squash halves, cut off one end of the butternut squash. Cut the squash lengthwise, and place onto a trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Pour water into the Instant Pot and cover.

Set pressure to high and cook for 8 minutes.

Remove from the Instant Pot and enjoy!

butternut squash halves in an Instant Pot

Here’s how to use butternut squash

What recipes do I use butternut squash in? Below are some of our favorite butternut squash recipes! You can use the puree in baked goods, turn the butternut squash halves into soup, or use them in your next salad. The options are endless!

Butternut Squash Buddha Bowls
Butternut Squash Kale Salad with Farro and Goat Cheese
Chocolate Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins (replace the pumpkin puree with butternut squash puree)

cooked butternut squash on a plate with butter, salt, and pepper

Recipe

Instant Pot Butternut Squash

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Cook butternut squash in no time by cooking it in the Instant Pot! You will have perfectly cooked butternut squash in under 10 minutes. Use the butternut squash in all your favorite recipes!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes

Author: Linley Richter

Yield: 4 servings 1x

Category: Side

Method: Instant Pot

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cubed

1 butternut squash, peeled, gutted and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup water
Cooking Option 2 Only- 2 tablespoons olive oil

Halved

1 butternut squash, halved lengthwise, gutted and quartered
1 cup water

Instructions

Cubed

Cooking Option 1- steamed

First, put the Instant Pot trivet onto the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Next, pour water into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Place a glass bowl (oven + microwave safe) on top of the trivet and add cubed butternut squash to the bowl.
Cover the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to seal.
Set Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 3 minutes.
Quick release pressure and remove butternut squash from the Instant Pot.

Option 2- browned + steamed

Turn on the Instant Pot saute function and add olive oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
When olive oil is fragrant, add butternut squash to the Instant Pot and let butternut squash cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned. Option to season with optional spices at this point.
Remove from the Instant Pot.
Next, pour water into the bottom of the Instant Pot and place the Instant Pot Trivet onto the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Place a glass bowl (oven + microwave safe) on top of the trivet and add cubed butternut squash to the bowl.
Cover the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to seal.
Set Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 1 minute.
Quick release pressure and remove butternut squash from the Instant Pot.