Effortless Slow Cooker Butternut Squash with Apples & Cranberries: Your Perfect Holiday Side Dish
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash with Apples and Cranberries offers a delightful blend of sweet squash, tart cranberries, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This easy-to-prepare dish is a fragrant, comforting, and incredibly versatile side, perfect for enriching any holiday meal or cozy fall dinner.
This particular recipe stands out as the ideal side dish, especially during festive seasons when valuable oven space becomes a premium. If your oven is packed with a turkey, roasts, or other casseroles, don’t fret! This delightful Butternut Squash with Apples and Cranberries can be prepared right on your kitchen countertop in a slow cooker, freeing up your oven for other essential dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Recipe
There’s an undeniable charm to slow cooker recipes, and this one is no exception. They truly are my favorite for their sheer convenience and reliability. Imagine simply combining a few wholesome ingredients in your slow cooker, setting it, and returning hours later to a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish. This recipe epitomizes that ease, making it a stress-free addition to your meal plan.
This dish is not only easy but also a perfect holiday side dish. The combination of sweet butternut squash, tart cranberries, crisp apples, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg creates an incredibly inviting aroma as it gently cooks. Your entire home will be filled with the comforting scents of autumn and winter, setting a wonderful ambiance for any gathering. Furthermore, butternut squash is a quintessential winter squash, meaning this healthy ingredient is naturally in season as the weather cools, making this recipe an ideal choice for chilly evenings and festive celebrations.
Preparing this slow cooker butternut squash allows you to maximize efficiency in your kitchen. Instead of juggling multiple dishes in the oven, you can dedicate your oven space to main courses or other baked goods, while the slow cooker handles this delicious side effortlessly. It’s a lifesaver when you’re hosting or simply want a delicious, wholesome meal with minimal hands-on effort. The tender texture of the squash, combined with the slight chewiness of the cranberries and the soft bite of apples, creates a harmonious texture profile that is both satisfying and comforting.
While you’re planning your hearty and comforting holiday meal, remember to consider other impressive side dishes. For instance, this gorgeous and tasty Jeweled Rice can truly elevate your dinner, leaving your guests thoroughly impressed with its vibrant colors and rich flavors.
And let’s not forget the centerpiece! If a turkey is on your menu, proper thawing is crucial. Make sure you leave enough time to thaw your turkey safely and effectively. You’ll definitely want to check out this comprehensive guide on How To Thaw A Turkey. It details three easy and safe methods and provides clear timelines to ensure your turkey is perfectly thawed and ready for cooking, preventing any last-minute kitchen mishaps.
🥘 Simple Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
One of the best aspects of this slow cooker butternut squash recipe is its short and sweet ingredient list. You likely have most of these staples in your pantry already, making this dish both accessible and affordable. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures:
- Butternut Squash: The star of the show! You have the flexibility to use either fresh or frozen. Opting for frozen diced butternut squash is a fantastic time-saver, as it eliminates the tedious task of peeling and chopping this notoriously tough vegetable. However, fresh will also work wonderfully if you prefer.
- Fresh Apples: Apples add a lovely natural sweetness and a hint of tartness, along with a softer texture that complements the squash. Feel free to use your favorite variety – a crisp apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji works well, or a slightly softer one like Gala or McIntosh will cook down beautifully.
- Dried Cranberries: These little gems bring a burst of vibrant color, a delightful chewiness, and a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the squash and apples. They are essential for that classic holiday flavor profile.
- Cinnamon: A warm, aromatic spice that pairs perfectly with squash and apples, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding a cozy, inviting fragrance to the dish.
- Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg elevates the flavor profile, adding a deeper, earthier warmth that complements the cinnamon and brings out the best in the butternut squash.
🔪 Simple Instructions for Your Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
Please note: This is an overview of the instructions. You’ll find the complete, detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, including exact measurements and additional tips.
- Begin by combining all the prepared ingredients – butternut squash (fresh or frozen), sliced apples, dried cranberries, cinnamon, and nutmeg – directly into your slow cooker. There’s no need to thaw frozen squash beforehand; it will cook perfectly as it is.
- Set your slow cooker to the “high” setting and cook for approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. Remember to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent any ingredients from sticking. Begin checking the squash for tenderness around the 90-minute mark.
- Once the butternut squash is nearly fork-tender but still holds its shape, switch the slow cooker setting to “warm.” This prevents the squash from overcooking and becoming mushy while keeping it at the perfect serving temperature until your meal is ready.
👪 Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
For ultimate convenience and to save time, I highly recommend using frozen diced butternut squash. Fresh butternut squash can be quite challenging to peel and slice due to its tough exterior. However, if you prefer, fresh squash works just as deliciously in this recipe. Just make sure it’s cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
I typically don’t bother peeling the apples for this recipe, as the skin adds a bit of extra fiber and a lovely color. However, if you or your family members prefer apples without the peel, you can certainly take the extra step to remove it before slicing.
Butternut squash is indeed a highly nutritious choice! It’s rich in essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and it’s an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Compared to a sweet potato, butternut squash generally contains fewer calories and carbohydrates, making it a fantastic healthy alternative for a hearty side dish.
Absolutely! While the slow cooker offers unparalleled convenience, you can certainly bake this dish in the oven if you prefer. To convert the recipe: First, lightly spray your baking dish with a non-stick spray. Then, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the ingredients before mixing everything together. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and roast in a preheated 350-degree F (175-degree C) oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender.
The best way to tell if your slow cooker butternut squash is done is to check its tenderness. It should be easily pierced with a fork without being overly mushy. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the size of your squash pieces, so always test for doneness.
💠Top Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
To ensure your slow cooker butternut squash is absolutely perfect every time, consider these helpful tips:
Embrace Frozen Squash for Ultimate Ease: This is my number one secret for simplifying this recipe! Butternut squash is notoriously challenging to prepare from scratch. Its hard outer skin and dense flesh can make peeling and slicing a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating task. By using pre-cut, frozen diced butternut squash, you completely eliminate this laborious step, cutting down your prep time to virtually nothing. The quality and taste are just as delicious as fresh, especially when slow-cooked, as the gentle heat helps it become wonderfully tender.
If Using Fresh Butternut Squash: Should you decide to go the fresh route, here’s a detailed guide to safely and efficiently prepare your squash:
- Peel with Care: Use a sturdy vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to carefully remove the tough outer skin. Work from the top down, taking thin strips.
- Remove the Stem: Slice off the small stem at the very top of the squash.
- Separate and Seed: Cut the “bell” end (the rounder, bottom part) from the cylindrical neck of the squash. Then, cut the bell end in half horizontally. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibrous strands. You can discard these, or even roast the seeds for a crunchy snack!
- Dice Uniformly: Chop both the bell and neck sections of the squash into roughly one-inch cubes. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking, so try to make them as consistent in size as possible.
Streamline Apple Prep with an Apple Slicer: To save even more time when preparing your apples, consider investing in an apple slicer. These inexpensive gadgets (often less than $10) core and slice an apple into even wedges in one swift motion, making quick work of your fruit prep and ensuring consistent piece sizes for cooking.
Don’t Overcook: While slow cooking is forgiving, be mindful not to overcook the squash once it reaches tenderness. As soon as it’s easily pierced with a fork, switch your slow cooker to the “warm” setting. This maintains its perfect texture and prevents it from turning into a mushy puree, though it would still taste good!
Adjust Sweetness/Spice to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amounts of cinnamon and nutmeg to your preference. If you enjoy a richer, spicier flavor, you can slightly increase them. For an extra touch of sweetness, a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar can be added during the last 30 minutes of cooking, but the apples and cranberries already provide natural sweetness.
🥗 Suggested Pairings for Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
This Slow Cooker Butternut Squash is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of main dishes, especially those that benefit from a touch of sweetness and warmth. Its comforting flavors make it an ideal accompaniment for hearty meals. Here are some excellent suggestions:
- Hearty Beef Dishes: It’s absolutely delicious with a savory pot roast, where the squash’s sweetness can cut through the richness of the beef.
- Comforting Poultry: The sweet and spiced notes complement poultry wonderfully. Try it alongside slow cooker roast chicken or a traditional roasted turkey.
- Classic American Fare: Its comforting profile makes it a natural fit for dishes like chicken fried steak, balancing the savory and fried elements.
- Unexpected Pasta Combinations: For a more adventurous pairing, the squash’s earthiness and subtle sweetness can provide an interesting contrast to lighter, brighter pasta dishes such as lemon artichoke pasta.
- Any Holiday Meal: Truly, this side dish is designed to shine during any holiday celebration, adding a touch of festive flavor and color to your spread without taking up precious oven space.
- Braised Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker
- Chicken Fried Steak (Baked)
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
- Easy Chicken Pot Pie
🥘 More Delicious Holiday Side Dishes to Complete Your Feast
No holiday meal is complete without a selection of tantalizing side dishes. From savory stuffing to creamy potatoes, and fresh, flavorful vegetables to warm, crusty rolls, there are so many options to complement your main course. Here are some of my all-time favorites that I encourage you to explore:
If you’re a devoted fan of butternut squash, then you absolutely must try this Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe! It delivers perfectly tender yet delightfully crisp, slightly caramelized pieces of pure yumminess, making it a fantastic alternative to the slow cooker version.
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📋 Recipe Card: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apples
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apples
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Ingredients
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- 4 cups frozen diced butternut squash (one 20 ounce package)
- 4 apples, cored and sliced into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
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Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker.4 cups frozen diced butternut squash, 4 apples, cored and sliced into bite-size pieces, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoon nutmeg
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Cook on high for approximately 90 minutes – 2 hours, stirring occasionally and checking the squash for tenderness.
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Once the squash is just about tender, switch to warm until it is time to serve. Don’t overcook or your squash will turn to mush (it will still be tasty, though!)
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2016, but was thoroughly updated with fresh tips, detailed step-by-step photos, and a minor recipe adjustment in September 2020 to enhance your cooking experience.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this recipe! I truly hope it brings warmth and delicious flavors to your table. I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with all the new and exciting things happening in my kitchen and discover more recipes you’ll love.
Additionally, you might want to explore my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon, where I’ve curated a selection of fantastic kitchen products that I personally use and highly recommend!
Happy cooking, and enjoy your wonderful meals!
