This is how to cook acorn squash in the microwave with butter so it is tender and delicious. A healthy vegetable side dish that’s savory or can be sweet. Just one of many microwave recipes on our site.
Microwave acorn squash is so easy! If you didn’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 y’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 y’all, but not everyone has one of those machines. I don’t know about you growing up but I can’t remember a time when we didn’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.
Let’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 it’s tender, it takes a lot longer and it’s a bit more of a mess. You’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 you’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.
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 don’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 don’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.
Cooking Acorn Squash in Microwave
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
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You can if you follow a few of our tips. Always rinse the outside of your produce and with something like this with a thick skin you will need to poke it a few times with a knife. Use a sharp knife and be careful, about 6 times is adequate.
You need to allow the steam to release with foods that have very thick skin. This is necessary for whole squash to soften it enough to slice it in half, and potatoes should be poked with a sharp knife or fork too several times.
