• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Curry Trail

Simple Flavorful Recipes For The Home Cook

  • Starters/Appetizers
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dish
  • Desserts
  • Summer Time Favorite
  • About Me
  • Starters/Appetizers
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dish
  • Desserts
  • Summer Time Favorite
  • About Me
Home > Beginner Basics > How To Peel and Cut Butternut Squash Easily
20 minutes

How To Peel and Cut Butternut Squash Easily

Last updated October 7, 2020. Originally posted February 27, 2019 By Jyothi Rajesh Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe Print Recipe

This post is a complete, easy to follow guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash for you!  Don’t get intimidated with this hard shelled squash, with some simple handy tips you’ll be able to peel, dice squash easily!

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

I looove squash. The number of butternut squash recipes on the blog is a clear evident of it. But there were days in the beginning when I got frustrated to prep butternut squash. Thinking of peeling and cutting butternut squash was so dreading.

Come fall, variety of squash gets me tempted and it’s only fair to use it, cook it. Nothing should stop us from using the fruits of fall! But the thought of peeling and cutting butternut squash seems so hard.

This post will show you how to peel & cut butternut squash easily, and that too without hurting your fingers! Clearly, no one wants to loose a finger to a squash! Haha!

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

There are days you get tempted to buy pre-cut cubes of butternut squash from the supermarket. But let’s face the fact, those tiny packet of pre-cut squash are so expensive, you’ll be shelving out couple of dollars for a small quantity of not-so-fresh squash.  You never know how long it’s been sitting on the cooler section.

Cutting butternut squash freshly not just saves a few bucks but also you have the freshest, let’s say farm fresh butternut squash. The smell of freshly cut butternut squash is so amazing!

To make it easy for you, we are sharing both step-by-step photo tutorial and a video on how to cut butternut squash.

Complete guide on how to cut and peel butternut squash easily

How To Pick The Best Squash

Arrival of winter brings in all varieties of winter squash, in all it’s forms, shapes and sizes! You want to pick the best squash from the loaded farmers market.

Weight – pick squash that appears to weigh more than it’s size. Heavier squash means more flesh and fresh squash. Mature squash may range from 1 to 5 lbs.

Color – Pick butternut squash that has dark beige color. Avoid the ones that have deep cuts and bruises. If the color of butternut squash is green in color, it means it’s not ripe yet.

Surface & Stem – Butternut squash with stem dry and intact are best. Avoid butternut squash with stem with moulds. The surface of butternut squash should be dry and pale. If it’s shiny, it could mean that butternut squash may not be ripe yet. It’s been harvested too early.

Shape – Butternut squash has this bulb shape with a neck. Pick butternut squash with thick neck. With thin neck butternut squash, where bulb shaped end will have seeds.

Materials Needed

Butternut Squash

Chef’s Knife

Sharp Vegetable Peeler

Large Cutting Board

Solid spoon with Sharp Edges

Large Bowl

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

How To Cut & Peel Butternut Squash Easily

  1. Slice off the stem and blossom end of the squash. Both ends flat.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash2. Peel the tough skin off the squash. Note – I like to peel the skin off at this stage, as it gives better grip to hold while peeling. You want to use very sharp peeling knife, serrated peeling knifes or sharp pairing knife can also be used. As you peel you’ll see green fibrous layers over it, continue peeling until you see orange flesh.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

Alternative Method – Before peeling, slice butternut squash into half separating the wide and thinner end.  Place the flat end of each part on cutting board and using sharp peeler, peel the skin off.

3. Cut squash right in the middle into two halves.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash4. Scrapes all seeds and fibrous pulp from the squash cavity using strong spoon. Note – Don’t discard seeds. Reserve them. You can roast it and eat. It’s very nutritious and delicious.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash5. Lay squash on cut side down on cutting board. Cut squash into half. Cut exactly where the thicker part of squash joins the thin bulb shape end. Now you’ll have 4 sections of squash.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash6. Take a thinner end section, place vertically up and carefully slice into 2 or 3 slices depending on what you prefer. Some recipes calls for 1 inch cubes, some calls for smaller cubes. If you want to cut 1 inch cubes, slice it vertically into 2.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash7. Cut lengthwise slices.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash8. Stack the slices and make cross cuts to make cubes.

9. For the round section – slice it lengthwise. Then stack the slices and make cross cuts to make cubes.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

Pro-Tip – When unsure, always dice squash into 1 inch cubes. It helps cook evenly and faster too.

10. I use 1 ½ lbs butternut squash and I got roughly 3 ½ cups of diced squash. Skin seeds would account for 3-4 ounces. Keep this in mind while picking butternut squash.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

Helpful Note – If you don’t have strong hands to work, it helps to microwave whole butternut squash for about 1 to 2 minutes. Pierce hole on the skin of butternut squash using fork or then microwave it on high for about 1 ½ minute before peeling. This will help soften the skin enough, making it bit easier to peel the squash.

Tips You Want To Keep In Mind

Have strong cutting board. Make sure the cutting board does not move. You can place a wet towel below cutting board so it’s secure in it’s place.

Always sharpen your knife before slicing through the squash.

If it gets difficult to work through some tough spots, use a rubber mallet to help push through the knife through those spots.

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash

USE CHOPPED BUTTERNUT SQUASH IN THESE RECIPES –

Roasted Butternut Squash

roasted butternut squash in white bowl

Thai Butternut Squash Curry

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

instant pot butternut squash soup served in black bowl with spoon

MORE BUTTERNUT SQUASH RECIPE IDEAS-

Honey Glazed Hazzelback Butternut Squash

Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash

Don’t forget to Subscribe to CurryTrail  Recipes below to get our newest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

LOVE THIS RECIPE? KEEP IN TOUCH AND DON’T MISS OUT ON ANY OF CURRYTRAIL RECIPES! FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, TWITTER.

HELPFUL KITCHEN TOOLS –

           

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash
5 from 1 vote

How To Peel and Cut Butternut Squash Easily

Jyothi Rajesh
This post is a complete, easy to follow guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash for you! Don't get intimidated with this hard shelled squash, with some simple handy tips you'll be able to peel, dice squash easily!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 3 cups
Calories 136

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 lbs butternut squash

Materials Needed -

  • Chef’s Knife
  • Sharp Vegetable Peeler
  • Large Cutting Board
  • Solid spoon with Sharp Edges
  • Large Bowl

Instructions
 

How To Cut & Peel Butternut Squash Easily

  • Slice off the stem and blossom end of the squash. Both ends flat.
  • Peel the tough skin off the squash. Note – I like to peel the skin off at this stage, as it gives better grip to hold while peeling. You want to use sharp peeling knife, serrated peeling knifes or sharp pairing knife can also be used. As you peel you’ll see green fibrous layers over it, continue peeling until you see orange flesh.
  • Alternative Method – Before peeling, slice butternut squash into half separating the wide and thinner end. Place the flat end of each part on cutting board and using sharp peeler, peel the skin off.
  • Cut squash right in the middle into two halves.
  • Scrapes all seeds and fibrous pulp from the squash cavity using strong spoon. Note – Don’t discard seeds. Reserve them. You can roast it and eat. It’s very nutritious and delicious.
  • Lay squash on cut side down on cutting board. Cut squash into half. Cut exactly where the thicker part of squash joins the thin bulb shape end. Now you’ll have 4 sections of squash.
  • Take a thinner end section, place vertically up and carefully slice into 2 or 3 slices depending on what you prefer. Some recipes calls for 1 inch cubes, some calls for smaller cubes. If you want to cut 1 inch cubes, slice it vertically into 2.
  • Cut lengthwise slices.
  • Stack the slices and make cross cuts to make cubes.
  • For the round section – slice it lengthwise. Then stack the slices and make cross cuts to make cubes.
  • Pro-Tip – When unsure, always dice squash into 1 inch cubes. It helps cook evenly and faster too.
  • 10. I use 1 ½ lbs butternut squash and I got roughly 3 ½ cups of diced squash. Skin seeds would account for 3-4 ounces. Keep this in mind while picking butternut squash.

Video

Notes

If you don’t have strong hands to work, it helps to microwave whole butternut squash for about 1 to 2 minutes. Pierce hole on the skin of butternut squash using fork or then microwave it on high for about 1 ½ minute before peeling. This will help soften the skin enough, making it bit easier to peel the squash.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgPotassium: 1064mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 32145IUVitamin C: 63.5mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 2.1mg
Did you make this recipe?Follow @CurryTrail and tag #CurryTrail to share your creation!

“PIN IT” 

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash with text overlay

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash with text overlay

a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash with text overlay
a complete guide on how to peel and cut butternut squash with text overlay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xl_x6Dhi2ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xl_x6Dhi2o

317 shares
  • 82
Previous
1 Minute Bang Bang Sauce (Copycat)
Next
Thai Panang Curry Recipe With Chicken

Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply! Cancel reply

Share your thoughts!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Jyothi - Author of Curry Trail.

Welcome, I'm Jyothi

My food philosophy is simple, fresh and full of flavors! I love ‘spicy’ food. In fact so much so that I can skip dessert for extra spicy savory food!

More About Me

Free Bonus

5 Quick & Healthy Dinners That Are Tasty!

When you subscribe to all the latest recipes!

    Featured Recipes

    • best Thai chicken Panang curry served with steamed rice in white ceramic bowl
      Thai Panang Curry Recipe With Chicken
    • Soft boiled egg placed over a bowl of spicy sriracha ramen noodle soup in white bowl
      Sriracha Spicy Ramen Noodles Soup
    • boom boom sauce in small bowl with potato fries
      5 Minutes Boom Boom Sauce
    • creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta in plate
      Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
    • baked tilapia
      Garlicky Chili Lemon Baked Tilapia Recipe
    • chili butter garlic noodles in white ceramic bowl with chopsticks on side
      15 Minutes Chili Butter Garlic Noodles
    Featured on:
    Yummly Logo.
    Tastewise Logo.
    Plattershare Logo.
    parade Logo.
    Greatist Logo.
    Foodgawker Logo.
    Buzzfeed Logo.
    Free Bonus

    5 Quick & Healthy Dinners That Are Tasty!

      Curry Trail Submark Logo.

      Connect With me

      Categories

      • Starters/Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch/Dinner
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dish
      • Desserts

      About

      • About Me
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Latest
      ©2023, Curry Trail. All Rights Reserved. About Privacy Policy
      Back To Top
      Design by Pixel Me Designs
      ×

      Free Bonus

      5 Quick & Healthy Dinners That Are Tasty!

      When you subscribe to all the latest recipes!

        317 shares
        • 82Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
        • Yummly
        • Email