Here’s the easiest recipe you’ll ever find for Instant Pot Butternut Squash. Ready in 3 minutes, it’s the perfect healthy side dish!
Butternut Squash is So Delicious & Nutritious
Butternut squash is one of my favorite fall vegetables, although now it’s pretty easy to find all year round. It can be difficult and time-consuming to peel and chop (not to mention dangerous), so my favorite option is to buy it already peeled and chopped in a two-pound container.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in a Pressure Cooker
To make this easy Instant Pot butternut squash recipe, I simply poured the contents into my 6-quart Instant Pot and added one cup of water. Using broth is also an option for extra flavor.
I also added some spices that I would normally add if I were roasted the squash in the oven: pumpkin pie spice, garlic powder, chili powder and dried oregano. Feel free to adjust the spices and seasonings to your taste. I just stirred it all together and it looked like this:
Three minutes later on high pressure with the quick-pressure release…ta-da!
It smelled amazing and just like fall! I served it alongside my leftovers from last night. I think some onion added to the squash would have been really good so I’m going to try that next time.
Steps to make this Instant Pot pressure cooker butternut squash:
- Combine squash, liquid, and herbs in the pot of a 6-quart pressure cooker and stir to combine.
- Set on high-pressure for 3 minutes.
- Use the quick-release method after cooking.
Could I achieve the same result by steaming the squash on the stove top? Of course, but it takes a lot longer than three minutes, that’s for sure. I also love roasting squash, but that takes so long.
See the how-to video at the end of this post for how I made this easy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash recipe!
I’d love to know what your experiences are with pressure cooking. I also love the slow-cooker, but you have to run it for so long and make sure to plan ahead. The pressure cooker is ideal if you’ve just gotten home and need something fast.
Items recommended for this easy Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash recipe (some affiliate links included):
- Instant Pot 6-quart pressure cooker or Power Pressure Cooker XL
- Paleo Cooking with your Instant Pot book
- organic dried oregano
- organic pumpkin pie spice (buy in bulk for the best price)
Questions about making butternut squash in the Instant Pot pressure cooker:
I don’t like dried oregano or the spices you mentioned. Can I leave them out? Yes, absolutely! Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking.
Can I use the natural release for this recipe? Yes, but the squash will be softer and not as firm.
Can I cook a whole butternut squash in the pressure cooker? Yes, but that’s another recipe. This one uses pre-cut, peeled butternut squash cubes.
Are the instructions the same for other brands of pressure cookers? Yes, but I made this in the Instant Pot 6-quart pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Autumn & Holiday Recipes
If you like this Instant Pot Butternut Squash, you might like these other healthy Instant Pot recipes!
- Instant Pot Candied Yams
- Instant Pot Cooked Cabbage
- Instant Pot Cranberry Relish
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie Custard
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Cake
- Instant Pot Stuffing (gluten-free)
- Instant Pot Sweet Potato Mash
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy
- Instant Pot Whole Red Potatoes
You can also download my free Instant Pot Holiday e-book. All I ask is that you join my free newsletter list. Subscribe now; unsubscribe anytime. The free e-book is my gift to you!
Here’s the recipe for this easy 3-Minute Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash:
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3-Minute Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash
Prep Time: 5 minutes- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: pressure cooker
- Cuisine: vegan, paleo, healthy
Prep Time:
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Pin RecipeDescription
A healthy side dish made in only 3-minutes cooking time using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. chopped butternut squash (from about one large squash)
- 1 cup of water or broth
- 1 teaspoon each pumpkin pie spice and dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and chili powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the pot of a 6-quart pressure cooker and stir to combine.
- Set on high-pressure for 3 minutes.
- Use the quick-release method after cooking.
- Serve hot.
Notes
This recipe takes about 15 minutes total, taking into account the time needed to get the pressure cooker to high pressure.
And, here’s the how-to video for how to make this 3-Minute Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash:
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Stefanie says
That looks really good.
Santa Nista says
I preferred the older pressure cookers because they kept the liquid and the food separated with the raised metal strainer plate in the bottom of the pot. The new ones don’t seem to come with this feature. I’ve since gotten a silicone steamer to put in the bottom of my pressure cooker to make it work the way I’m used to. Steamed not soupy.
MichelleMom says
Instant Pot does!
Randal Oulton says
Butternut is everyone’s default squash these days, but it’s one of the more watery squashes when cooked up. You could press it lightly in a strainer after cooking (add any liquid that comes off to a tub in the fridge for stock.) Cheers.
Susan says
Hi! I made this last night for dinner. Unfortunately, it did not meet my needs. I really didn’t like the taste and it came out very dark from the spices. I tossed the leftovers which is something I rarely do. I guess I just prefer the plain steamed squash better.
★★
megan says
I just made it and i’m pretty unhappy to 🙁 The garlic ruined it!
megan says
It would have been perfect without the garlic 🙁
★★
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
You can’t beat three minutes to cook! I mean it takes longer than that to peel, and slice it up. What a great side dish.
corinne & kirsty says
I love butter squash so much! I am eating buttersquash soup every evening these days! so good! this sounds nice too!
Jen Temcio says
Your recipe is obviously amazing, but I want to thank you for your thoughts about the pressure cooker. I am a vegetarian and think it would be fun to try a new way of cooking veggies like this.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
Oh yeah, I am in love with my PC! I have a recipe for mashed sweet potatoes you might like. I have a 10-quart and a 6-quart pressure cooker and I use them both!
Tara Pittman says
So is the squash from Costco raw? If so I need to try this with a whole squash
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
Yes, Tara. I hate cutting the whole squash, I’m always afraid I’m going to chop off a finger. So, I always buy butternut squash pre-chopped. I have heard of putting whole squashes in the crockpot or PC, but I think you need to make sure you poke a ton of holes in it so it doesn’t explode.
Tina Hogan grant says
I’ve never been fond of squash. But this actually looks good. I may try it
Wendy Polisi says
I love the speed of this recipe. Butternut squash is not the most fun thing to cook.
Marissa Zurfluh says
I would love to try this recipe. I really enjoy butternut squash.
Catalina says
Only 3 minutes?! Can’t believe it! I love quick and delicious dishes!
Athena says
I love using my Instantpot and have not tried making any type of squash in it. I will definitely try this. It looks delicious
LavandaMichelle says
Butternut Squash was never apart of my plate but I see more and more dishes being made with it, so I have to try it.
Tiffany Haywood says
3 Minutes? You’ve definitely got my attention – this sounds like such a great recipe.
Aduke Schulist says
I have never cooked butternut squash before. I also don’t have an instant pot, so I’d have to figure out a different way, but this looks good!
Fatima Torres says
I’ve always wanted to try buttnernut squash, but I fear not liking it. I’ll have to try different recipes for it to see what I think
Thu Ho says
I have excitedly read all of your advice on recipe or cooking steps until I realise a pressure cooker is currently not available :)))) Btw, I don’t really like squash, so I wonder if this recipe could apply to other vegetables as well. Thanks much for the info.
Abby @ WinsteadWandering says
I love my Instant Pot, so I’m always on the lookout for more easy recipes to make. This one is a keeper!
Sharon says
I love butternut squash but sometimes don’t think about it because it does take quite a nit to cook. I even have 3 minutes so this recipe is great!
Kate says
Yes! I recently started to cook squash in a pressure cooker and it is brilliant! It cooks so fast. I just love it! This recipe looks absolutely delicious!
Jessica Robinson says
My grandmother used to cook meals in her pressure cooker on the stove all the time! We love acorn squash and butternut squash. A little butter and brown sugar or pure maple syrup is all you need. I’m sure garlic powder and chili powder are interesting flavors to butternut squash.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
One of my fav recipes!
★★★★★
Analida @ ethnicspoon.com says
When it comes to dinner on a weeknight having a fast easy dish sounds good to me! Thanks for sharing!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
just 3 minutes..im SOLD on this recipe because butternut squash is something i make very regularly.
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
I love how quick this is! Great for a last minute side dish for sure!
★★★★★
Rebecca says
I love butternut squash and I loooooooove the idea of it taking less time to get it on the table!
Brian Jones says
So simple and so very tasty, I love cooking pumpkin in my Instant Pot.
★★★★★
traci says
Butternut squash is a staple ingredient in my home. It’s great that Costco has the pre-cut, even though I mostly buy it whole. The IP is a staple too…perfect for cooking squash!
Veena Azmanov says
mmm this recipe looks very tasty! This is an ideal idea for a side dish. I definitely want to try this! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
★★★★★
Tina says
I love butternut squash, but it always seems to take so long to make! Definitely trying this with my Instant Pot so I can get my favorite vegetable back into my meal prep on a more regular basis!
★★★★★
Karyl Henry says
I haven’t joined the Instant Pot revolution, but I do have a regular pressure cooker. I’m going to have to give this simple recipe a try!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
Butternut squash makes such a great side dish! I love that you can make this in 3 minutes in an Instant Pot!
Veronika's Kitchen says
I love to try new recipes in my Instant Pot) I never tried to make butternut squash, but definitely should! It looks amazing)
Jyothi says
Recipe sounds amazing! And the flavors too. You can’t beat that 3 minutes. It’s amazing to know you can cook in 3 minutes. Wouldn’t that be a great side on your dinner plate!
Christine says
I can’t believe this only takes about 7-8 minutes to make! I haven’t jumped on the pressure cooker bandwagon yet, but it would be worth it to have delicious butternut squash in such a short amount of time. Looks delicious!
Stephanie says
Oh, I love butternut squash! We have some starting to sprout in the garden, I can’t wait until they grow and we can try this out!!
★★★★★
candy says
I don’t have one of these new pressure cookers. Your recipe looks delicious and I can still make it with some simple modifications.
melve says
Instant Pot is a big help. You can cook in just 3 minutes with this delicious Butternut Aquash.
★★★★★
Debbie Martin says
Easy & tasty. I added a little butter and
★★★★★