Do you love butternut squash? I do too! Here are 20 butternut squash side dish ideas. Lots of these butternuts squash side dishes are vegan or vegetarian, gluten free, and healthy!
Find your new favorite side dish idea below!
Read below all about using butternut squash in side dishes, the benefits of butternut squash, and how to cook butternut squash... or jump straight to the list of butternut squash recipes!
Butternut squash - the perfect side dish
Butternut squash makes the perfect vegetable side dish. It is very versatile and goes so well with many different flavors and cuisines.
Butternut squash has a slightly sweet flavor. It's a little buttery and nutty when cooked (hence the name). The flavor pairs well with spicy seasonings and citrus tones, such as lime juice and lemon juice, but also works great with creamy cheesy flavors and seasonal Fall herbs.
Butternut squash also has a gorgeous orange-yellow color, which makes every recipe cooked with butternut squash look very impressive and comforting thanks to the warm orange tones. By the way, check out more orange foods!
Butternut squash also happens to work great in casserole (sweet AND savory!), making it the ultimate comfort food!
And of course, butternut squash soups are a must-make in the Fall.
Can you eat butternut squash raw?
Yes, you can eat butternut squash raw! It doesn't have any toxic or dangerous elements.
You might not want to bite into a large chunk of butternut squash raw, but it is really good when spiralized into thin strips. It has a nice crunchy texture and an earthy flavor.
If that freaks you out, a nice balance between raw butternut squash and completely cooked butternut squash is a quick stir fry of butternut squash spiralized "noodles." You'll retain lots of the crunch of raw butternut squash but it will be a little softer and sweeter than eating raw butternut squash.
Butternut squash benefits
→ Butternut squash is extremely good for you. It is light in calories - it has about 65 calories per 1 cup, so you can enjoy larger servings of butternut squash recipes without consuming too many calories.
→ Butternut squash is high in fiber, with almost 3 grams of fiber per cup. Fiber helps you feel full longer and helps keep the digestive system healthy and regular.
→ Butternut squash is also loaded with many healthy nutrients and vitamins. It is extremely high in Vitamin A and C. It also has a lot of potassium, magnesium, and some calcium.
→ Butternut squash contains beta-carotene and lutein, which are good for your immune system and your eyes.
Since butternut squash is so healthy, delicious, and versatile, we are trying to eat more of it!
How to cook butternut squash
Butternut squash can be prepared so many different ways: roasted, pan-fried, steamed, boiled, in the Instant Pot, or simply spiralized into a salad.
Butternut squash cooks relatively fast for a dense squash - it can be roasted in the oven at 375F - 400F in about 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of the butternut squash cubes. It also cooks fast when it is steamed or boiled. You'll see some of the best ways to prepare butternut squash in the recipes below.
Here are our favorite butternut squash side dishes:
A few of our favorite butternut squash recipes! Butternut Squash Spinach Skillet - tasty, healthy, nutritious, vegan / vegetarian, and ready in just 20 minutes. You'll LOVE the flavors of this pan-fried butternut squash recipe with baby spinach. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. This baked chickpeas with butternut squash casserole can stand on its own as a meatless dinner, but we like to serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken. Vegetarian, gluten-free. This butternut squash puree is made with roasted butternut squash and roasted garlic for the most wonderful Fall flavor, and has tender white beans pureed into the butternut squash mash for extra texture, fiber, and protein. An AMAZING butternut squash side dish to complement ANY main course! Vegan, gluten-free. Butternut squash pairs perfectly with sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. If you've never had gochujang sauce, it's like a Korean sriracha sauce, but with more flavor. Learn more about gochujang. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. This stuffing casserole is packed with classic Fall flavors and lots of texture. And yes, it has butternut squash! It's not your traditional Thanksgiving stuffing, and it makes a great side dish for any night of the year. Dairy-free, vegan. How about a side of comforting Lentil Butternut Squash soup? Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. Pasta is always a no-brainer side dish. This butternut squash Alfredo sauce dresses up your favorite pasta and makes a great side dish for chicken or pork. Gluten-free (if served with gluten-free pasta), vegetarian. A side of butternut squash soup with warming curry flavors is amazing on a chilly day. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. This recipe for slow cooker cinnamon sugar butternut squash is a hands-off easy side dish that you are sure to love with your favorite fall meal. Vegan, gluten-free. These vegan & gluten free Chickpea Squash Fritters are so easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes. Serve with your favorite soup or fall dish. Y'all know I'm a sucker for ANY vegetable fritters (see my cauliflower fritters, sweet potato fritters, mashed potato fritters, cabbage fritters, corn fritters), so of course these are on the list!! Vegan, gluten-free. A filling and hearty side dish, this butternut squash is roasted with onions and brussels sprouts for a delicious and healthy butternut squash side dish. Vegan, gluten-free. A delicious twist on the traditional version, this roasted butternut squash with brie is full of flavor and will make the perfect side dish. Vegetarian, gluten-free. Easy to make, this butternut squash is stuffed with kale, quinoa, and cranberries for a delicious side dish that is sure to be a hit. Vegan, gluten-free. Full of flavor, this butternut squash side dish recipe is just like stuffing. It is a delicious side dish recipe that is both easy to make and flavorful. Vegetarian. Roasted butternut squash, orzo, feta cheese, and sage are combined to make the perfect side dish for any meal. Vegetarian. Butternut squash sauteed in bacon drippings and mixed with fresh garlic and red peppers are oven roasted until they are perfectly tender. Gluten-free. Made from scratch, this butternut squash gratin is gluten free and low carb making it the perfect healthy side dish. Gluten-free, low carb. Full of flavor and healthy, this easy side dish casserole is perfect for any meal or to serve to friends and family during the holidays. This ravioli recipe is made super easy by using wonton wrappers instead of making ravioli from scratch, the the butternut squash and ricotta stuffing is absolutely amazing! Vegetarian. This is a tasty, colorful twist on the classic butternut squash soup. I include Instant Pot and stove-top directions for this butternut squash beet soup. Vegan, gluten-free.Butternut Squash Side Dish Recipes
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