Have you ever wondered how to cook a whole butternut squash in the slow cooker? This is by far the easiest way to cook butternut squash! No need to peel or remove the seeds before cooking.
Wanting to cook a whole butternut squash? Well I'm here to tell you that the slow cooker is the easiest way to cook a whole butternut squash, seeds, skin, and all! What I love about cooking squash in the slow cooker is that it's super hands off, you don't have to peel, cut, or remove the seeds first, and the squash comes out super silky smooth and ready to eat or use in other recipes. It literally couldn't be easier.
How do you use butternut squash cooked in the slow cooker?
- I love butternut squash cooked like this and I'll often slice the cooked squash in half, remove the seeds, then add a pat of butter in each hollow where the seeds where. I'll add a sprinkle of salt and pepper or salt and cinnamon to the cut sides of the squash and serve the halves right in the skin. We pass the plate and scoop out the squash we like and spoon a little of the melted butter over our portion.
- I also like to treat the cooked squash like you would mashed potatoes and whip it up well with butter, warm milk, and salt. Mashed butternut squash is delicious.
- I also like to use it like you would pumpkin puree, potatoes, or sweet potatoes (it makes a great topping for Shepherd’s Pie, and you can add smashed squash to your favorite pumpkin waffle recipe in place of the pumpkin). You can also use it in your favorite chili recipes! I love pureed squash in our favorite Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili. So many options!
Tips and Tricks for Cooking Butternut Squash in the Slow Cooker:
- When buying butternut squash, be sure to get squash that are firm and blemish-free (no nicks or bruises). It’ll store a few weeks (even months) so feel free to stock up when they go on sale and are in season (late summer-fall).
- All you need to do is wash off the outside of the squash! No messing with a knife, no need to cut in half - I didn't even add water to my slow cooker. Just toss it in, set it, and walk away.
- I have this simple Hamilton Beach slow cooker and I love it (the lid clamps on and that's awesome, especially if you take things places like soup to church functions!). If you are in the market, it's a good one.
Video of how to cook butternut squash in the slow cooker:
How to Cook a Whole Butternut Squash in the Slow Cooker
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 large squash 1x
Description
How to cook a whole butternut squash in the slow cooker - the easiest way to cook one! No need to peel or remove the seeds before cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium butternut squash (3-4 pounds)
Instructions
- Prepare you squash by washing off the outside well and breaking of the stem (if you can - the stem isn't really going to hurt anything). No need to prick the outside, but you can if you like.
- Place the squash in the bottom of the slow cooker. No water needed.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Test the doneness of the squash by poking it with a fork. If the fork pierces the butternut squash easily then it's done.
- Let the squash cool enough to be handled.
- Remove from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board.
- Cut the squash in half from stem top to blossom end. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and discard (or feed to your chickens or roast them up like you do pumpkin seeds).
- Use a spoon to scoop out the soft flesh and use as you like or eat it as is with a little salt, pepper, and butter.
Notes
- When buying butternut squash, be sure to get squash that are firm and blemish-free (no nicks or bruises). It’ll store a few weeks (even months) so feel free to stock up when they go on sale and are in season (late summer-fall).
- There are so many ways to eat and serve this simple roasted butternut squash. I think it’s really pretty to serve the squash right out of the skin with a few fresh herbs and a little butter on top. You can also mash it up with a touch of butter, salt, and brown sugar. Feel free to use it however you would pumpkin puree, potatoes, or sweet potatoes (it makes a great topping for Shepherd’s Pie, and you can add smashed squash to your favorite pumpkin waffle recipe in place of the pumpkin). You can also use it in your favorite soups.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: how to cook whole butternut squash in slow cooker, how to cook butternut squash, butternut squash recipe
Love cooking neat or unusual things in your slow cooker? You might also like these recipes:
- Crock Pot or Slow Cooker Yogurt
- Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna
- The Best and Easiest Way to Cook a Pumpkin (spoiler alert: it's in your slow cooker)
- Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes (they cook separate - check it out!)
- Slow Cooker Brownies (they are delicious!) from Creme de la Crumb
Seriously, next time you have a butternut squash to cook, don't even mess with peeling it and trying to cut it! I'm here to convert you to the ease and deliciousness that using your slow cooker brings. Do it! Enjoy from my kitchen to yours.
Mary
Thank you for this recipe! I have an abundance of butternut squash this year (30). So I have pulled a lot of new recipes to try and getting the puree was a concern. Off to dig out a crockpot.
Terri
Can you also do this with an acorn squash?
★★★★
Melissa
Yes, I do it with about any hard winter squash that fits in the slow cooker. It's SO easy!
Nina
Ah-simplicity. Lol. I have this going at work while I type away at the computer lol.
Pat
God bless you for the easy Crockpot whole butternut squash. I love to make soup from it but had to stop when I had a very light stroke and cutting the squash in half, or peeling it became more difficult. I have two small squashes in the slow cooker now and I'm very excited that I won't have to throw away another! I kept buying them hoping I'd have the arm and hand strength to cut them. This is a red 💌 day for sure. Thanks again, Pat
Tammy
When cooking squash in slow cooker with a roast, do you take the seeds out of the squash?
Melissa
I cook them separately so that the squash doesn't get too soft in the meat juices.
On the Run: Baked Goods
I'm so glad I came across this method! It made making the puree for my Butternut Squash Fan Rolls so much easier. AND I feel like there was so much less waste involved. Thank you 🙏🏽
★★★★★
John Tansley
Won't the ceramic dish crack if you do this?
Melissa
You'll probably need to read the specifics for your slow cooker, so do say they need to have a certain amount of liquid and others don't have that stipulation.
Anna
Could you do the same thing with acorn squash?
Melissa
Yes ma'am! It'll work great. They are a LOT less dense than butternuts so I bet it would cook through in 8-10 minutes.
Cee Jay Kay
I love this recipe. Being a Florida girl, I hate running my oven... EVEN IN OCTOBER. Once the squash is finished, I'm going to make a shepherd's pie using squash as a topping instead of potatoes. The recipe I'm following calls from ground turkey instead of beef. I'm going to make that in the toaster oven.
★★★★★
Melissa
That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing all of those great ideas!
mark
hi there, thanks for this
researching this topic
will it work if you lower the temperature to as low as 118F/ 47C ?
thank you
Melissa
I think it sure would, it just might take a really long time, like up to 12 hours. You'll have to play with it and report back!