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    You are here: Home / How To Tutorials / Instant Pot Acorn Squash

    Instant Pot Acorn Squash

    Posted: Dec 16, 2019 Last Modified: Dec 16, 2019 by Carmy · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Filling, healthy, and easy to make, acorn squash is the perfect ingredient for meal preps or as a side dish! Here’s how to quickly make acorn squash in the Instant Pot!

    Filling, healthy, and easy to make, acorn squash is the perfect ingredient for meal preps or as a side dish! Here’s how to quickly make acorn squash in the Instant Pot!

    Filling, healthy, and easy to make, acorn squash is the perfect ingredient for meal preps or as a side dish! Here’s how to quickly make acorn squash in the Instant Pot!

    WHAT IS ACORN SQUASH?

    Acorn squash, also called pepper squash or Des Moines squash, is a winter squash that is dark green with usually a spot of orange on it. Like it’s name, acorn squash is usually shaped like an acorn and are usually 1-2 pounds.

    Acorn squash can be roasted, sauteed, or steamed. Today, I’m going to share with you how use the Instant Pot to cook my acorn squash just a couple of minutes!

    Since the acorn squash is being pressure cooked, it doesn’t get the same caramelization roasted acorn squash get. You can put it in the oven to broil for a couple minutes after it’s out of the Instant Pot to get the lovely golden spots on the acorn squash. (Here’s my guide on how to roast acorn squash in the oven)

    All in all, even with the broiling, the Instant Pot method for cooking acorn squash is much faster than oven roasting.

    What Is Acorn Squash?

    What You’ll Need To Make Instant Pot Acorn Squash

    • acorn squash
    • olive oil
    • salt and pepper

    How to Prepare Acorn Squash

    While my cleaver goes through just about everything, the easiest way to cut your acorn squash is to microwave it for a minute to soften it up. 

    Cut the acorn squash in half, from stem to bottom.

    Scoop out the inside of the acorn squash.

    How To Cut Acorn Squash

    How To Cut Acorn Squash

    How to cook Acorn Squash in the Instant Pot

    Put a steamer basket or the trivet into the Instant Pot.

    Add in one cup of water to the Instant Pot.

    Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper onto the acorn squash before placing them into the Instant Pot.

    Close the lid, set the valve to seal, and set the pot on Manual for 5 minutes. Quick release when done!

    Serve as is when ready or stuff with your choice of stuffing.

    How to cook Acorn Squash in the Instant Pot

    Want to take it up a notch??

    To make the acorn squash sweeter, add a tbsp of butter and maple syrup to the middle of the squash. Let the mixture melt for a minute then using brush the entire cut side of the squash with the mixture. The let it broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes.

    TIPS, NOTES, AND SUBSTITUTIONS

    When meal prepping, I like to stuff my acorn squash with some teriyaki chicken and rice. The acorn squash fits perfectly inside this meal prep container I got from Amazon.

    The seeds that you scooped out earlier can be treated like pumpkin seeds and be roasted.

    How to cook Acorn Squash in the Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Acorn Squash

    Filling, healthy, and easy to make, acorn squash is the perfect ingredient for meal preps or as a side dish! Here’s how to quickly make acorn squash in the Instant Pot!
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 6 mins
    Cook Time: 5 mins
    Total Time: 11 mins
    Servings: 2 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 acorn squash
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Cut the acorn squash in half, from stem to bottom.
    • Scoop out the inside of the acorn squash.
    • Put a steamer basket or the trivet into the Instant Pot.
    • Add in one cup of water to the Instant Pot.
    • Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper onto the acorn squash before placing them into the Instant Pot.
    • Close the lid, set the valve to seal, and set the pot on Manual for 5 minutes. Quick release when done!
    • Serve as is when ready or stuff with your choice of stuffing.
    • Optional: broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes

    Notes

    You can add more than one acorn squash in the IP. No time adjustment needed.
    To make the acorn squash sweeter, add a tbsp of butter and maple syrup to the middle of the squash. Let the mixture melt for a minute then using brush the entire cut side of the squash with the mixture. The let it broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes.
    Tried this recipe?Did you make this recipe? I'm always so happy to hear about it! I'd love to see how it turned out. Tag me at @CarmysHungry on Instagram so I can see it! If you enjoyed the recipe, I'd really appreciate a comment with a 5 star rating! ♥
    Author: Carmy
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Instant Pot

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenny

      November 11, 2020 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      This is a great post. I admit Ito never know what to do with acorn squash, I am not so familiar with it. Your detailed post gives me confidence. I will make one to serve as a side dish to a chicken roast this weekend. Thanks so much.

      Reply
    2. Ashley

      November 11, 2020 at 11:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love the idea of cooking squash in the Instant Pot. Sounds so easy!!

      Reply
    3. Amy Liu Dong

      November 12, 2020 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      What an easy and delicious acorn squash recipe, I am going to make this on this weekend. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lesley

        May 07, 2022 at 9:06 pm

        5 stars
        Oh my gosh. I’m a seasoned winter squash eater and have been cooking for 50 years. This is delicious. I took it out of the skins after cooking and put butter, salt, and a little pure Maple syrup in. Wow! My new favorite.

        Reply
        • Carmy

          May 07, 2022 at 11:13 pm

          So glad you enjoyed this Lesley!

          Reply
    4. Tracy

      November 15, 2020 at 3:31 am

      5 stars
      So many great tips! Thank you. This is one of my favorite ingredients for fall!

      Reply
    5. Paula Montenegro

      November 15, 2020 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      I make tons of smashed squash year-round but never thought of using the instant pot. You might’ve saved me a lot of time with this recipe! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Ramona

      November 15, 2020 at 3:58 pm

      5 stars
      wow, this is such an interesting recipe that I am dying to try out since me and my family have never really tried acorn squash before! it looks so perfectly golden brown and delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to try it out!

      Reply
    7. Gunjan

      November 15, 2020 at 7:47 pm

      5 stars
      I cooked acorn squash for the first time and followed your recipe. It’s very well explained and came out excellent.

      Reply
    8. Loreto Nardelli

      November 15, 2020 at 9:10 pm

      5 stars
      I am a huge fan of acorn squash. Yours looks absolutely beautiful, and love the idea of the butter and maple syrup. In the caralelization stage! Absolutely scrumptious. Such a versatile ingredient! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Laura Arteaga

      November 16, 2020 at 1:23 am

      5 stars
      Love the idea of filling it with rice or any other ingredients! I think it would make a beautiful, yummy and healthy dish for Christmas! Thank you for sharing :)

      Reply
    10. Jacqueline Debono

      November 16, 2020 at 2:59 am

      5 stars
      I really need an Instant Pot. I usually roast my squash but it takes longer! I loved your tip about putting it in the microwave to soften so cutting is easier. Definitely going to try that!

      Reply

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