This is how to cook acorn squash in the microwave with butter so it is tender and delicious. A healthy vegetable side dish thatโ€™s savory or can be sweet. Just one of many microwave recipes on our site.

microwave acorn squash halves, perfectly seasoned with pepper and garnished with parsley, rest invitingly on a white surface next to a forkโ€”a delightful dish you can easily prepare by learning how to cook acorn squash in the microwave.
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Microwave acorn squash is so easy! If you didnโ€™t think you could nuke your dinner and easy side dishes you have another thing coming. That is right, you can do all the things yโ€™all. We will show you just how easy this is and share other how to cook vegetables in microwave tips too. (affiliate links present)

How Long to Cook Acorn Squash in Microwave

Do you love this veggie? Us too, especially during the Fall months. If you have never attempted it but it is your favorite when you visit a restaurant we will explain step by step how you get it from hard to fork tender in just about 10 minutes flat! Once you get the hang of it it is a great way of How to Cook Kabocha Squash as well.

We started with air fryer acorn squash. SO Good yโ€™all, but not everyone has one of those machines. I donโ€™t know about you growing up but I canโ€™t remember a time when we didnโ€™t have a microwave.

We shared how to cook spaghetti squash fast a while back. That one is great if you want a low carb alternative to pasta. This one is more of a side. Each type of squash has a very different color, texture and taste to it. They are all mild in flavor but can be amped up pretty good with seasonings.

Acorn Squash in Microwave

Letโ€™s start with how to cut acorn squash to get started. You will want to poke the outside and sit in your machine whole and heat on 100% power for 1.5-2 minutes. This is enough time to soften the tough outer layer so a sharp knife can slice it into 2 equal parts so you can scrape out the seeds for roasted squash seeds later, and be able to cook in the microwave squash halves in a microwave safe dish.

Can I microwave a whole acorn squash?

You could but it is messier to scoop out the seeds once itโ€™s tender, it takes a lot longer and itโ€™s a bit more of a mess. Youโ€™d need to make sure that there are several decent sized slits made all the way around it to release the steam.

If not done adequately it may explode. Microwave on high for 8 minutes, slice, add butter and heat another 2 minutes over and over again checking each time until tender.

Then figure out when youโ€™re going to eat this. If it is for dessert you might want some honey or syrup inside with a dollop of honey butter. If you have kids who are typically anti veggie you might do this anyway to get them to taste it, you might make them believers this way.

Microwave Acorn Squash

The only thing used here was the squash sliced, a bit of butter and some salt and pepper inside. If you use a dish it is better so that if there is a little leakage you donโ€™t have a mess on your hands. Made similar to microwaving carrots really.

Carefully remove and top with salt, pepper, butter or butter and brown sugar as a sweeter dish. Use a fork to eat the flesh, you donโ€™t want to eat the skin on this. For more ideas refer to our steaming vegetables in microwave post.

Filling Ideas

Yes you can serve as is as a side dish with a bit of butter, salt and pepper but you could make it into a meal. Have some taco meat left over from the night before? Scoop that inside and melt some cheese over that! Shredded chicken tossed with salsa and canned black beans is a fun low carb idea.

You can jump to recipe below and get started. Let us know how your squash cooking goes and what goodies you sprinkle on that becomes a hit in your house.

Discover how to cook acorn squash in the microwave for a quick yet delicious option.
How to Cook Acorn Squash in Microwave
5 from 1 vote

Cooking Acorn Squash in Microwave

By Justine
This is how to cook acorn squash in microwave so it is tender and delicious. A healthy vegetable side dish that's savory or can be sweet.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 9 minutes
Servings:

Equipment

  • 1 baking dish or plate
  • 1 knife
  • 1 Spoon

Ingredients 

  • 1 acorn squash
  • salt and pepper, to taste, butter, maple syrup are all good toppings
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Instructions 

  • Rinse and dry your squash to make sure all dirt is removed. Poke outside of skin a few times, then place whole squash in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 1.5 minutes.  (This will help soften the squash so it is easier to slice).
  • Carefully cut the in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Return the sliced squash to your dish, flesh side down. 
  • Microwave on high (regular setting) for 6-10 minutes. (I cooked mine for 5 minutes and then checked in 2 min. increments until it was as tender as I wanted it to be). Timing will depend on size and how tender you want it to be.
  • Carefully remove from the microwave and top with salt, pepper, butter or choice of toppings. Use a fork to eat the inside.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 43kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 374mg, Fiber: 2g, Vitamin A: 395IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
Can you microwave a whole squash?
Why do you need to poke squash before you microwave it?

About Justine

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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