This delicious maple butternut squash is a perfect side dish for family dinners or Holiday meals. You will love the sweet and savory flavor of the squash coated with a sweet maple pecan glaze.
This tender and creamy vegetable is both tasty and nutritious. Its so easy to cook and the maple syrup glaze adds to the feeling of fall and Holiday recipes. There are so many different ways to cook squash, you'll want to try these: Roasted Squash and Zucchini and Pan Fried Yellow Squash
How to choose a butternut squash?
When you choose your butternut squash, look for those that are not greenish, but a creamy peachy, beige color. They should feel hard and heavy for it's weight. When you knock on it, like a watermelon it should sound hollow. That will ensure the squash will be ripe.
How to make butternut squash with maple syrup?
Heat a saucepan of lightly salted water to boiling. Cook the squash on medium heat for about 10 minutes. You will just begin to smell the squash cooking and it will have texture of chopped cantaloupe. The squash should be just tender, not too soft. Drain the squash.
Make a simple syrup by melting the butter and adding pecans, sugar or substitute, maple syrup and orange juice. Stir and bring syrup to a light bubbling boil. Lower heat to simmer. You can taste the glaze (carefully, it's hot), and adjust for more syrup or orange juice. Put cooked squash in the pan and stir to fully coat. Cook on low for another few minutes.
Ingredient Options
I used a sugar free maple syrup and a brown sugar substitute since I try to keep my sugar grams low. Of course, choose regular brown sugar and syrup as you prefer!
You can substitute walnuts or hazelnuts for the pecans. Or leave them out if you choose.
Cooking Tips
- Make sure to cut squash in similar size to insure even cooking.
- Use a large enough skillet so the squash cubes aren't crowded and overlapping.
- Taste the glaze before adding more sugar or orange juice.
What to serve with Butternut Squash and Maple Syrup
I always think of chicken or turkey dishes as favorite main dishes that go great with butternut squash. I would definitely cook any of these poultry recipes and they will be delicious: Dutch Oven Roast Chicken, Marinated Broiled Chicken Thighs, Dutch Oven Turkey Breast or Stovetop Chicken Thighs and Vegetables.
If you tried this recipe and enjoyed it, I'd love if you gave it a 5 star rating. This tells me what recipes you like and want to see more of. Thank you!
Here are some other favorite vegetables to try:
Maple Pecan Butternut Squash
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delicious maple butternut squash recipe is a tasty side dish for family dinners or Holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. Butternut squash, peeled seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or substitute ( I used Swerve)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup ( I used Lakanto)
- 1 -2 tablespoons orange juice
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large pot, fill ⅔ with water and ½ teaspoon salt and bring to boil.
- Put butternut squash in boiling water and lower heat to low/medium and lightly boil for about 10 minutes, until just tender. Drain well.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter and add the pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup and orange juice. Cook on low simmer until it starts to bubble and thicken. Add the ¼ cup of water if too thick.
- Add the drained butternut squash and gently stir into the syrup. Stir and cook the squash on low heat for another 5 minutes, making sure all the squash is covered in the sweetened butter syrup.
Notes
- You can prepare the squash a day ahead. Store the cubed squash in the refrigerator.
- Carefully taste the glaze and add a bit more syrup or orange juice if desired.
- Leftover cooked squash can be frozen up to 6 months. After defrosting, the cubed squash will be soft. Just mash them and serve as a tasty side dish.
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