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You can cook butternut squash in a crock pot by cutting it into cubes, tossing it in, and letting it slow cook until tender.
It’s one of the easiest ways to prepare this sweet, creamy squash because the slow cooker does all the work for you.
If you’ve been wondering how to cook butternut squash in a crock pot without peeling a giant, rock-hard gourd at the last minute, this method is going to become your new favorite.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to cook butternut squash in a crock pot, plus seasoning ideas and ways to use it once it’s done.
Let’s dive in.
How Do You Cook Butternut Squash in a Crock Pot?
Cooking butternut squash in a crock pot comes down to a few simple steps, and the slow cooker handles the heavy lifting.
Here’s the basic process you’ll follow every time.
1. Prep the Squash
Start by washing the outside of your butternut squash to remove any dirt.
Then cut off the top and bottom ends so it sits flat on your cutting board.
Peel the skin with a sharp vegetable peeler, then slice it in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
Cut the flesh into one-inch cubes so everything cooks evenly.
If you’re short on time, many grocery stores sell pre-cubed butternut squash, which makes cooking butternut squash in a crock pot even faster.
2. Add It to the Crock Pot
Place your cubed squash into the slow cooker.
You can cook butternut squash in a crock pot with just a little liquid, so add about a quarter cup of water, broth, or even apple cider.
That small amount of moisture creates steam that helps the squash soften without turning it to mush.
3. Season It Up
This is where you can get creative.
Drizzle the squash with a tablespoon or two of olive oil or melted butter.
Then season with salt, black pepper, and any herbs or spices you love.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little brown sugar give it a cozy, sweet flavor.
Or go savory with garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika.
4. Set the Cook Time
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for four to six hours or on high for two to three hours.
The squash is done when a fork slides through a cube with no resistance.
That’s really all there is to cooking butternut squash in a crock pot.
Why Cooking Butternut Squash in a Crock Pot Works So Well
Cooking butternut squash in a crock pot is popular for good reason, and here’s why it works so well.
1. Hands-Off Cooking
Once everything is in the pot, you basically walk away.
No babysitting a roasting pan or constantly checking the oven.
Cooking butternut squash in a crock pot frees you up to do other things while dinner basically cooks itself.
2. Naturally Sweet and Tender
The slow, even heat brings out the natural sugars in the squash.
That’s why slow cooker butternut squash tastes so rich and caramelized compared to boiling it.
It also stays moist instead of drying out the way it sometimes can in the oven.
3. Great for Big Batches
If you’re meal prepping, cooking butternut squash in a crock pot lets you make a large amount at once.
You can fill the crock pot, cook it all, and have squash ready for the whole week.
Ways to Use Your Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
Once you’ve mastered how to cook butternut squash in a crock pot, you’ll want to use it in everything.
1. Mash It as a Side Dish
Mash your cooked butternut squash with a little butter and salt for a creamy side that rivals mashed sweet potatoes.
2. Blend It into Soup
Toss the cooked squash into a blender with broth, onion, and a splash of cream for a silky soup.
Since the squash is already soft from the crock pot, the soup comes together in minutes.
3. Add It to Pasta or Grain Bowls
Cubed butternut squash from the crock pot is perfect folded into pasta, quinoa, or rice bowls.
4. Stir It into Mac and Cheese
Mash it and stir it into mac and cheese for a sneaky veggie boost that kids won’t even notice.
5. Freeze It for Later
Spread your cooked squash on a baking sheet, freeze it, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag.
Now you’ve got slow cooker butternut squash ready whenever you need it.
Tips for Cooking Butternut Squash in a Crock Pot
A few quick tips will make cooking butternut squash in a crock pot even easier.
1. Cut Even Cubes
Uniform one-inch pieces cook at the same rate, so nothing turns mushy while other pieces stay hard.
2. Don’t Add Too Much Liquid
Butternut squash releases its own water as it cooks.
A quarter cup is plenty, and too much liquid will leave you with soggy squash instead of tender cubes.
3. Don’t Overcook It
Start checking at the low end of the cook time.
Cooking butternut squash in a crock pot past the tender stage turns it into a watery puree.
4. Keep the Lid On
Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes and the cooking time stretches longer.
So, How Do You Cook Butternut Squash in a Crock Pot?
You cook butternut squash in a crock pot by cubing it, adding a splash of liquid and your favorite seasonings, then letting it slow cook until fork tender.
It’s a hands-off method that brings out the squash’s natural sweetness and gives you a versatile ingredient for soups, sides, and bowls.
Whether you’re meal prepping or just want an easy veggie side, cooking butternut squash in a crock pot is about as simple as it gets.
Give it a try this week and see how effortless slow cooker butternut squash can be.