How To Cook Cubed Butternut Squash In The Instant Pot
How Long Does It Take To Cook Butternut Squash In The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
There are two main advantages of pressure cooking winter squash. Its fast and its easy. Dump it in your pot, set it, and walk away until you hear the timer beep indicating its finished cooking.
- Halved Butternut Squash: HIGH pressure, 8-10 minutes, quick pressure release
- Cubed Butternut Squash: HIGH pressure, 3 minutes, quick pressure release
However, there is one key advantage of roasting butternut squash versus cooking it in the Instant Pot caramelization. Yes, the deliciously caramelized, slightly crispy, edges that can only be reached by slowly roasting in the oven. Unfortunately, roasting takes more than twice as long when compared to cooking it your pressure cooker at nearly an hour for halved squash and 25-35 minutesfor cubed squash. Worth it? Sometimes. For me, this depends entirely on the day and the recipe, so Ill let you be the judge.
How To Cook Acorn Squash In An Instant Pot
For a detailed, printable version of the recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post. A video showing How To Make Instant Pot Acorn Squash is included. Furthermore, a step by step photo collage is located directly below the step by step instructions.
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Why Make This Instant Pot Acorn Squash Recipe
Cooking an acorn squash in the oven can take a lot of time. However, by making this sweetened acorn squash recipe in the Instant Pot, you can cut the cooking time in half and have this wonderful Fall side dish on the table 30 minutes earlier. That is why I love Instant Pot recipes. However, if you dont have an Instant Pot, I have provided instructions for how to roast the Acorn Squash in the oven.
In addition, if you are preparing acorn squash for a holiday dinner, such as for Thanksgiving, when demand for oven space is high, you can free up your oven to cook something else, while this Acorn Squash recipe cooks in the Instant Pot on the counter.
Lastly, as mentioned previously, this Acorn Squash recipe is sweetened, which makes it delicious and more kid-friendly. If you can get the kids to eat more vegetables then that is a win!
What Is Acorn Squash
Acorn Squash is a winter squash that is shaped like an acorn! Compared to other winter squashes, its relatively smaller in size.
The most common type of acorn squash has distinctive exterior ridges on its thick, tough, & dark green skin, sometimes with bright orange patches.
The sweet yellow-orange flesh tastes somewhat similar to butternut squash, but its slightly more fibrous and stringy.
Due to its tough skin, its very common to bake or roast acorn squash for pasta, rice, risotto, or served as a side dish. But acorn squash can also be sauteed or steamed. Plus, you can toast the squash seeds to eat!
You can make savory or sweet dishes with acorn squash such as stuffed acorn squash, mashed acorn squash, acorn squash curry, acorn squash risottoetc.
Acorn squash is very nutritious, low in calories yet packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
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Instant Pot Acorn Squash
Last Modified: Dec 16, 2019 by Carmy · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Filling, healthy, and easy to make, acorn squash is the perfect ingredient for meal preps or as a side dish! Heres how to quickly make acorn squash in the Instant Pot!
Cooking A Whole Butternut Squash In The Instant Pot
Butternut squash are known for their difficulty to chop and peel. In fact, one of our contributing writers often enlists the help of a rubber mallet when trying to cut one.
For that reason, if you can find a butternut squash that will fit in your Instant Pot, this may actually be the best way to cook this hard to chop veggie!
By increasing the time under pressure, you can thoroughly cook the squash to be used as a puree. Just use the manual button to set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 30 minutes.
Or if you would rather cube the squash to roast it later or use it in other recipes in its still solid form, you can cook it just long enough to make the chopping and peeling WAY easier to do.
I love this genius hack manual setting, high pressure, 8 minutes, and voila butternut squash that doesnt require garage tools to chop.
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Two Ways To Cook Whole Squash
Iâve always halved or quartered squash when cooking it in either an Instant Pot or the oven. However, one day my sister told me about cooking a squash whole instead of cutting it up. Immediately I wondered, how come Iâd never thought of that?! Now that Iâve seen the light, Iâm going to show you how to cook a squash whole in both an Instant Pot and an oven. I will provide simple and easy instructions for each method.
How To Eat Acorn Squash
Wondering how to eat acorn squash, once you cook it in the Insta Pot? Here are delicious and simple recipe ideas:
You can eat it as is! Just add a bit of butter and Ground Nutmeg or Ground Cinnamon to your Instant Pot Baked Acorn Squash, and you have a delicious side dish to serve with Beef Stew or Rotisserie Style Chicken.
Peel it, chop into cubes and make a delicious risotto. Follow instructions in this Butternut Squash Risotto, and substitute acorn squash for Instant Pot Butternut Squash.
Use it instead of butternut squash in Roasted Butternut Squash With Meat Sauce And Yogurt Sauce, a delicious dinner dish! Serve with Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad With Cauliflower for a complete dinner.
Use it to make acorn squash soup. You can make Acorn Squash and Apple Soup, Creamy Soup or many more.
Make stuffed acorn squash, you can make Instant Pot Ground Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash, or make vegan stuffed acorn squash by using this recipe: Vegan Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe.
Stuff it with Italian Sausage Stuffing to make Instant pot acorn squash stuffed with Italian sausage. So delicious and perfect for fall or Thanksgiving dinner!
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Is Acorn Squash Keto
Unlike delicata squash, acorn squash is not keto-friendly! Though this Fall squash is high is fiber and is naturally gluten-free, it has about 20 net carbs per cup, which is considered high for most keto dieters. On the other hand, butternut squash has just about 15 net carbs per cup, making it acceptable for a keto diet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Acorn Squash
What does acorn squash taste like?It is slightly sweet, and has a typical gourd taste and texture. Its slight sweetness goes amazing with fall spices, such as Ground Nutmeg or Ground Cinnamon.
Is acorn squash sweet?Acorn squash is slightly sweet.
What is the easiest way to cook acorn squash?This recipe, which is acorn squash cooked in the Instapot, is definitely the easiest and quickest way to cook it.
Is acorn squash cooked in Instapot healthy?This squash is definitely healthy. There is just one ingredient needed in this acorn squash recipe, which is the actual gourd.
Can you eat acorn squash skin?We dont recommend doing that. Just scoop out the flesh from cooked acorn squash, and throw away the skin.
How to cut acorn squash?Acorn squash is hard to cut. Here is how to make it easier. First, wash the acorn squash. Then, microwave it for 2-3 minutes, and let cool. Then, on a cutting board, cut acorn it into halves. It is much easier to cut, once you soften it in the microwave.
How to bake acorn squash?
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How To Make Instant Pot Acorn Squash
To cook acorn squash in the instant pot, start by cutting it in half, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Then, cover each acorn squash half in half of the sugar, maple syrup, butter, and cinnamon.
Add 1 cup of water into your Instant Pot , and place trivet inside. Place the squash halves on top of the trivet. Lock the lid, closer pressure valve.
Choose high pressure, using the Instant pot instructions, and set timer for 5 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to increase.
Release pressure with the natural-release method, around 7 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, using the manufacturer’s instructions. Unlock the lid, remove the squash, and enjoy!
Ingredients In Stuffed Acorn Squash
The acorn squash creates the edible bowl for the rest of the ingredients you can make both the squash and the stuffing in your Instant Pot! You will need:
- Acorn squash
- Garlic
- Kale
Acorn squash delivers a large serving of magnesium, potassium, folate and Vitamin C, so this recipe can be in your regular meal plan.
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Ingredients For Roasted Acorn Squash
The ingredients that you need to roast acorn squash are simple! Open up your spice cupboard and I am sure that you will already have most of these ingredients which will make this recipe extra quick! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.
- Acorn squash: Before baking these, you will need to deseed them and cut them up into quarters!
- Olive oil: This will help your spices stick to the squash, creating that amazing flavor!
- Parmesan: Cheese is a MUST to complete this recipe!
- Parsley, thyme and garlic powder: A combination of spices that bring out a delicious earthy flavor.
- Cayenne pepper: This will create some spice without too much heat.
- Salt and pepper: These will enchance the taste of all of the other ingredients!
While the acorn squash is pressure cooking, lets make the spoon-licking tasty maple butter sauce!
First, melt 2 tbsp butter in a microwave or on the stovetop.
In a small mixing bowl, mix 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, a pinch of salt, and tsp nutmeg together.
You can sneak in a little taste test hereyum!!
The delicious maple butter sauce should thicken as it cools down. Then, set aside the yummy sauce.
Can I Freeze Acorn Squash
Absolutely. Once cooked, just scoop the squash flesh from the skins, then freeze in an airtight container. It should keep for at least a few months.
If you love kitchen gadgets and healthy veggies, don’t miss these Air Fryer Roasted Radishes.
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This Easy Recipe For Cooking Acorn Squash In The Instant Pot Is A Simple Pressure Cooker Side Dish Youll Love
Instant Pot acorn squash cooks in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven! Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg make this a sweet treat worth savoring!
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Acorn squash is one of those foods that I always wish I ate more of, because I know its a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and other nutrients.
Not only that, but Im always trying to do a better job of eating seasonally.
The trouble is, many winter squashes, such as butternut squash and acorn squash, take a long time to roast in the oven. Since I need quick and easy meals, these foods, though delicious, dont make regular appearances on my meal plan.
Until now! Once I learned how to cook squash in the Instant Pot, its been a game-changer. For instance, I make Instant Pot butternut squash and apple soup, which is a delicious fall lunch or dinner recipe.
And now, Im sharing how to cook Instant Pot acorn squash, complete with brown sugar, warm spices, and butter! Its a swoon-worthy side dish that feels a little like an indulgent dessert.
Its my favorite way to cook it now, and once you try it, I think youll agree.
More Instant Pot Recipes for Side Dishes Youll Love:
Shaved Brussels Sprouts How
For this recipe, you dont want chunks of the fall classic, Brussels sprouts. You want them shaved. Think of it almost like a slaw that you cook down.
I have the Breville sous chef food processor, and it has a blade attachment to do this. If you dont have a food processor, have no fear, you can cut them thin with a very sharp knife .
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How To Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Start by seasoning the squash.
Drizzle it with olive oil or add a knob of butter to the middle of the squash.
Sprinkle the squash with cinnamon and sea salt.
Place half the squash skin-side down in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
Add the air fryer shelf.
Set the other half of the squash on the shelf.
Air fry the squash for about 25 minutes or until tender.
The cook time will depend on the size of the squash.
At this point, you can use the squash in another recipe or serve it as a side dish.
I like to sprinkle a little brown sugar on the squash before serving.
Looking for more acorn squash ideas? Try making these acorn squash crostini from Girl Heart Food!
Cooking Acorn Squash In The Pressure Cooker
Cooking squash under pressure means it cooks much faster, resulting in fork-tender squash in a matter of minutes. The cooking time is so much faster than roasting!
Its similar to steaming the squash, since its being cooked in a moist environment.
I like to add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to my squash, because the flavors pair so beautifully with the nutty flavor and natural sweetness of the winter squash.
But, you could also keep things simple and brush the squash with olive oil, and give it a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
I dont generally stuff my acorn squash, but you could if you wanted to. I think cooked ground Italian sausage, some wild rice, dried cranberries, chopped apples, and some walnuts or pecans would be a really nice filling.
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More Squash Recipes To Try
Squash can last a long time after its been picked. So after you get your hands on some, here are a few more recipes that you can try!! I absolutely love adding squash as an appetizer or a side but you can even use it as your main dish! Squash is SO versatile and you can make so many different things with it and I think that they are all worth a try! Enjoy!
Soup Recipes
What Youll Need
First, decide if you want to cook your squash halved, with the skin still on, or peeled and chopped into small cubes.
If you plan to mash or puree, the results will be the exact same whether you mash or puree from halved squash or cubed squash. So, unless you really love to peel and chop this tough winter fruit , then I highly recommend just cutting it in half, scooping out the seeds, and leaving the skin on.
Tools and equipment:
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