Making slow cooker butternut squash is a breeze! With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and nutritious side dish that pairs well with any meal. Follow these easy instructions to learn how to make crockpot butternut squash.
This vibrant orange squash has become quite popular over the past couple of years, for good reason. Butternut squash is one of the most common varieties of winter squash. Interestingly enough, the squash is actually grown in the summer, harvested in the fall, and is continued to be sold throughout the winter months due to the thick hard exterior.
Butternut squash can be roasted, grilled, air fried and sauteed but today you will learn how easy it is to make crockpot squash! For more slow cooker favorites, check out Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup, Crockpot Sweet Potatoes and No Boil Crockpot Mac and Cheese.
Butternut Squash Nutrition Info
Not only is crock pot squash simple to make but it is an excellent way to get more nutrients into your family.
Butternut squash is low in calories and is a good source of dietary fiber.
This member of the Cucurbitaceae family may have the highest about of vitamin A – or 354% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA).
This vibrant orange squash is rich in the B-complex group of vitamins including folate, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, thiamin, and pantothenic acid and contains adequate levels of the minerals iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
As an added bonus, you can eat butternut squash seeds just as you would pumpkin seeds!
They are an excellent source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids that benefit heart health. Also, they are rich in protein, minerals, and numerous health-benefiting vitamins. The seeds are an excellent source of health-promoting amino acid, tryptophan. Tryptophan converts to health-benefiting GABA neurochemical in the human brain.
Dietitian Tip: Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and an essential vitamin for healthy eyesight.
We know this butternut squash crock pot recipe will quickly become a staple in your home.
To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium Butternut Squash
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
Rinse the butternut squash under running water. Place the whole butternut squash into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
Slice the squash and remove the flesh
Carefully remove squash from the slow cooker and slice in half. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and discard them. Scoop out insides or dice into squares.
Serve
Serve the squash as is or top with butter and salt.
Serving Suggestions
This squash can be used in so many ways, from soups and stews to pasta, one-pan dinners, blended into meats such as meatloaf, or just plain topped with a bit of butter. It also makes a delicious side dish alongside any main entree. From pork and chicken to beef and seafood, you can feature seasoned or unseasoned squash.
Consider any of these dishes the next time you have a squash to cook:
- Pork – Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops, 3 Ingredient Crockpot Pork Chops, Baked Pork Chops
- Chicken – Ninja Foodi Italian Chicken Thighs, Buffalo Chicken Breast, Gluten Free Chicken Wings
- Beef – No Peek Beef Tips, Beef Tenderloin Recipe, Irish Beef Stew (Slow Cooker)
- Seafood – Boiled Shrimp, Air Fry Frozen Fish Fillets, Broiled Haddock
You can also turn this recipe into butternut squash puree by whipping with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon for a sweetened side.
Storing Crockpot Butternut Squash
In the fridge: Let cool completely then store in the fridge for up to 5 days in a covered container. Be mindful that the shelf life may be reduced if seasonings or toppings are added to the squash.
In the freezer: Leftovers can be stored in the freezer in a container or Ziploc bag once cooled for up to a year.
Reheating Instructions
Microwave: Reheat in 30-second increments in a microwave safe dish until hot.
Skillet: Add cooked squash to a skillet over low heat until heated through.
Tips & Tricks
- Blend with coconut milk and veggie broth to turn into a creamy squash soup.
- Whip with milk and butter for creamy squash.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic for a savory side.
- Drizzle with maple syrup or honey.
- Add to tacos, enchiladas or burritos instead of refried beans.
- Save the butternut squash seeds to roast in the oven and serve as a sweet or savory snack.
- Store a whole squash in a cool dark place such as a pantry for up to a month.
- Puree and add as a topping on Shepards Pie instead of potatoes.
- Mix pureed squash into our Halloween Chili to boost the nutritional value.
Frequently Asked Questions
First things first, look for a medium size squash. Next, check the squash is free from bruises, blemishes, and cracks. You’re aiming to select a dry, firm, and orange colored squash that feels heavy for its size.
The squash is cooked whole in the slow cooker. If looking to speed up the cooking time, it is an option to peel and slice into chunks. Adjust to cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
No, this squash cooks with a dry heat. Simply rinse the squash and place in the slow cooker to cook.
A whole uncooked squash will last up to 2-3 months when stored at room temperature. If looking to extend the shelf life of a whole squash, check out our guide to freezing butternut squash. Once cooked, squash will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Yes, all forms of squash are gluten-free in their natural form along with plant based, nut free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy free.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Wash the whole butternut squash in the sink under running water to remove any dirt then place in the slow cooker.
- Gently press a finger into the side of the squash to check if cooked. Your finger should dent the squash easily.
- You can discard the squash seeds or save to rinse and roast in an oven. They make a great after school snack! Season with salt or a cinnamon and sugar mixture.
More Recipes with Butternut squash
These recipes are great if you are wondering what to do if you don’t own a crockpot or if on the search for more ways to use butternut squash cooked in the slow cooker.
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Mac & Cheese
- Caramelized Butternut Squash
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash
- Gluten Free Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Sauteed Butternut Squash
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries
- Butternut Squash Casserole
- Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
More Squash Recipes
- Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Grilled Spaghetti Squash
- How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Crockpot
- Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash
Instructions
- Prep the squash and cook. Rinse the butternut squash under running water. Place the whole butternut squash into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours1 medium butternut squash
- ⭐️Slice the squash and remove the flesh. Carefully remove squash from the slow cooker and slice in half. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and discard them. Scoop out insides or dice into squares
- Serve. Serve the squash as is or top with butter and salt.
Video
Notes
- Blend with coconut milk and veggie broth to turn into a creamy squash soup.
- Whip with milk and butter for creamy squash.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic for a savory side.
- Drizzle with maple syrup or honey.
- Add to tacos, enchiladas or burritos instead of refried beans.
- Save the butternut squash seeds to roast in the oven and serve as a sweet or savory snack.
- Store a whole squash in a cool dark place such as a pantry for up to a month.
- Puree and add as a topping on Shepards Pie instead of potatoes.
- Mix pureed squash into our Halloween Chili to boost the nutritional value.
- Store in the fridge up to 5 days.
- Check out our guide to freezing butternut squash.
Nutrition
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Jenny says
This is now my favorite way to cook squash! Thank you!