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Making butternut squash in the Instant Pot is one of the easiest ways to get perfectly tender squash without wrestling with a rock-hard gourd and a sharp knife for twenty minutes.
If you’ve been wondering how to make butternut squash in the Instant Pot, you’re in the right place because this method takes all the struggle out of the process.
The Instant Pot steams the squash to soft, scoopable perfection in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven.
And the best part is you don’t even need to peel it before cooking, which saves you a ton of effort.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make butternut squash in the Instant Pot, plus a few tasty ways to use it once it’s done.
Let’s dive in.
How to Make Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot
Learning how to make butternut squash in the Instant Pot comes down to a few simple steps, and once you nail them, you’ll wonder why you ever did it any other way.
Here’s how the process works.
1. Prep the Squash
Start by rinsing your butternut squash and patting it dry.
Then, using a sharp chef’s knife, cut off the stem and the bottom nub so the squash sits flat on your cutting board.
Now slice the squash in half crosswise, right where the long neck meets the rounded bulb.
This gives you two manageable pieces instead of one awkward, slippery gourd.
If your squash is small enough to fit whole in your Instant Pot, you can even skip the cutting altogether.
2. Add Water to the Instant Pot
Pour one cup of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
This water creates the steam that cooks the butternut squash.
Then place the trivet or steamer basket inside the pot.
The trivet keeps the squash elevated so it steams rather than boils, which gives you a much better texture.
3. Place the Squash Inside
Set your halved or whole butternut squash on top of the trivet.
If you’re cooking two halves, you can stack them, but try to keep them from blocking the steam vents too much.
You don’t need to add any oil, salt, or seasoning at this stage unless you want to.
The squash will cook beautifully on its own and you can season it afterward.
4. Seal and Pressure Cook
Lock the lid in place and make sure the steam release valve is set to sealing.
Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set the timer.
For a whole small squash or halved squash, cook on high pressure for about 12 to 15 minutes.
If you’ve cut the squash into smaller chunks, 8 to 10 minutes is usually enough.
The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the timer starts, so factor that into your planning.
5. Do a Natural Release
Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes.
This gentle release keeps the squash from getting waterlogged.
After 10 minutes, carefully turn the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Then open the lid and check your squash.
A fork or knife should slide through the flesh with almost no resistance.
If it’s still a little firm, just pop the lid back on and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Why This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Method Works So Well
Making butternut squash in the Instant Pot works so well because of how the appliance cooks.
Here’s why it beats the oven and stovetop every time.
1. It Saves Time
Roasting a whole butternut squash in the oven can take 45 minutes to over an hour.
The Instant Pot gets it done in about 15 minutes of actual cooking time.
That’s a huge win on a busy weeknight.
2. No Peeling Required Before Cooking
The skin of a butternut squash is tough, and peeling a raw one is genuinely dangerous because the squash is so hard.
When you make butternut squash in the Instant Pot, the skin softens completely during cooking.
You can scoop the flesh right out with a spoon afterward, leaving the skin behind.
3. The Texture Stays Perfect
Steaming in the Instant Pot gives you squash that’s tender and creamy, never dry or stringy.
It’s ideal for mashing, pureeing into soup, or folding into pasta dishes.
4. It’s Hands-Off Cooking
Once you lock the lid, you can walk away and get other things done.
No stirring, no flipping, no checking the oven every ten minutes.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Instant Pot Butternut Squash
Now that you know how to make butternut squash in the Instant Pot, here are a few ways to enjoy it.
1. Make a Creamy Soup
Scoop out the cooked flesh and blend it with broth, a splash of cream, and a pinch of nutmeg.
You’ll have silky butternut squash soup in minutes.
2. Mash It as a Side Dish
Mash the flesh with butter, salt, and a little maple syrup for a sweet and savory side.
It’s a great alternative to mashed potatoes.
3. Toss It Into Pasta
Cube the cooked squash and stir it into pasta with sage, brown butter, and parmesan.
It’s cozy, filling, and packed with flavor.
4. Blend It Into a Smoothie
Cooked butternut squash adds natural sweetness and creaminess to smoothies.
Just freeze the flesh in chunks and toss a handful into your blender.
5. Serve It as Baby Food
Plain, cooked butternut squash is gentle and nutritious for babies.
Puree it smooth and freeze portions in ice cube trays for easy future meals.
So, How Do You Make Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot?
You make butternut squash in the Instant Pot by cutting it into manageable pieces, adding water and a trivet, and pressure cooking it for 12 to 15 minutes.
Then let the pressure release naturally and scoop out the tender flesh.
It’s faster than roasting, safer than peeling raw squash, and the results are consistently perfect.
Whether you’re making soup, a side dish, or baby food, this method should be your go-to from now on.
Give it a try and you’ll see exactly why so many home cooks love making butternut squash in the Instant Pot.