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Home > Quick & Easy > Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash

Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash

October 12, 2020 by Denise Browning 3 Comments / THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE SALES LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY _FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY_ FOR DETAILS

Gluten FreeVegetarian

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image collage with instant pot stuffed acorn squash

Enjoy a healthy and tender Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash in just 3 minutes. NO PEELING NEEDED! This acorn squash recipe is vegetarian, vegan, and sugar-free! Simply one of the most comforting and delicious side dishes for your Fall or Thanksgiving – just like our roasted delicata squash. 

stuffed acorn squash halves on a tray

Fall is here and Thanksgiving will be celebrated soon. It’s one of the busiest times of the year, along with Christmas.

To be honest, my focus is on this brined turkey. Yet quick and easy sides to serve along with it are a must! 

If you have never had stuffed acorn squash, I urge you to add it to your holiday menu. Don’t waste time peeling pumpkin. Acorn squash requires NO PEELING, it’s smaller than a pumpkin, takes less time cooking and slicing. 

Although available all-year-round in several areas, the main season for fresh acorn squash in the United States is early fall through winter. Acorn squash tastes similar to pumpkin, with a hint of sweetness.

Moreover, it is healthy! In terms of nutrition, acorn squash is a great source of fiber and rich in vitamins A and C as well as B1 and B6. 

What’s acorn squash?

cooked acorn squash halves in an instant pot

Acorn squash, also called pepper squash or Des Moines squash, is an early Fall and winter squash that has dark green skin and a few spots of orange on it. Like its name, it has a shape of an acorn and weights about 1-2 pounds.

Acorn squash can be roasted, sautéed, steamed, or even grilled. My favorite way to cook it is in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker because it is mess-free and only takes about 3 minutes.

Keep in mind that if pressure cooked, it doesn’t get the caramelization of roasted acorn squash. But once cooked, you can brush with butter and honey or maple syrup and put it in the oven to broil for a couple of minutes. That is a simple and quick way to achieve a caramelized or golden surface on the acorn squash.

Substitutions

close up of Instant Pot Acorn Squash on a tray

  • Acorn squash – for a more keto-friendly recipe, use butternut squash instead.
  • Chickpeas – you may use another plant-based protein such as canned black beans or cooked quinoa, or cooked turkey sausage for making it keto.
  • Balsamic – you may replace with maple syrup and a few drops of lemon juice. For keto, use sugar-free maple.
  • Red onion – if you are not a fan of onions, you may use minced garlic or finely chopped green onions.
  • Pomegranate seeds – you may replace with chopped dried cranberries or use roasted pepitas.

The recipe calls for tablespoons or teaspoons as a measurement for some of the ingredients. Find out how many teaspoons in a tablespoon to convert your recipes easily.

Equipment: 

  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker
  • Steamer basket
  • Large kitchen knife
  • Ice cream scoop or large spoon

#commissionearned

How to Make Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash

image collage showing how to cut and then cook acorn squash in an instant pot

  1. Cut your squash in half down the middle, either crosswise like I did or lengthwise. Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, remove the seeds from squash halves. Season flesh with salt and pepper. SEE PIC. 1
  2. Place the steamer basket into your Instant Pot or pressure cooker and pour 1/2 cup of water.
  3. Place squash halves over the Instant Pot steamer basket. SEE PICS. 2 and 3 Close lid set pressure valve to sealing, set to manual (high pressure) for 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft you want the squash to be. If stuffing acorn squash, cook for only 3 minutes for a firmer squash but if mashing, cook for 5 minutes or delay the quick release for a couple of minutes.
  4. Perform a quick release of the pressure right after the cooking.
  5. If stuffing, brush melted butter on the flesh and reserve.
  6. Meanwhile, prepare the stuffing. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until homogeneous. Then mix in chickpeas, spinach, red onion, pecans, and pomegranate seeds. SEE PIC. BELOW
  7. Spoon mixture into the cavity of the acorn halves, sprinkle feta on top, and herb. Serve this vegetarian and vegan stuffed acorn squash and enjoy!
  8. If not stuffing, you may use a spoon or fork to pull out cooked acorn squash from its shell, or you can pull out meat by hand once cooled and use to make acorn squash soup for example.

vegan salad in a bowl to use as filling for the cooked vegetable

Can you eat acorn squash skin?

Yes!  But you need to roast, braise, boil, or steam the acorn squash first in order for the skin to become soft and edible. There will be no need to peel it.

All you need to do is wash the skin, pat dry, cut in half either lengthwise or crosswise and scoop out the seeds using either an ice cream scooper or spoon. Then, cook until tender.  We steamed the acorn squash in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker for about 3-4 minutes and it came out tender, both the meat and skin.

What does acorn squash taste like?

four halves of Instant Pot Acorn Squash on a tray

Acorn squash has a mild taste and is slightly more fibrous than butternut squash. It’s also slightly sweet with a nutty flavor. It can be replaced with another type of squash such as Hubbard or butternut.

Is acorn squash keto-friendly?

Unlike delicata squash,  acorn squash is not keto-friendly! Though this Fall squash is high is fiber and is naturally gluten-free, it has about 20 net carbs per cup, which is considered high for most keto dieters. On the other hand, butternut squash has just about 15 net carbs per cup, making it acceptable for a keto diet.

Cook’s Notes for Stuffed Acorn Squash

  • If cooking acorn squash in the Instant Pot, time varies depending on if you want more or less tender. If you intend to stuff acorn squash, you may cook it for about 3 minutes so that it will not be so tender that the skin separates from the flesh. But if you intend to mash the flesh or use it in other dishes, you may cook for 4-5 minutes.
  • Once seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you may serve acorn squash brushed with butter or stuffed (savory)– or drizzled with honey or maple syrup and a pinch of spices (sweet). If you love meals made in the pressure cooker, try our Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork.
  • Steamed acorn squash in the pressure cooker makes great baby food. You just have to mash it and serve.
  • This stuffed acorn squash recipe is both vegan and vegetarian, but if desired you can add cooked ground turkey sausage or pieces of bacon to the stuffing.
  • Of course, you can also cook acorn squash in the microwave, in the oven, or on the grill but it will take more time than in the Instant Pot.
  • Looking for other Thanksgiving side dishes? Try this microwave mac and cheese, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, broccoli gratin, and low carb biscuits.

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze in bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat before eating. It’s one of those easy freezer meals!

 

PIN & ENJOY!

2 halves of cooked vegetable filled with the salad on a tray

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Instant Pot stuffed acorn squash halves on a tray
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash

Enjoy a healthy and tender Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash in just 3 minutes. NO PEELING NEEDED! This acorn squash recipe is vegetarian, vegan, and sugar-free! Simply one of the most comforting and delicious side dishes for your Fall or Thanksgiving.
Course:Side Dish
Cuisine:American
Keywords:Instant Pot acorn squash, stuffed acorn squash
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories286 kcal
Author Denise Browning
Cost $1.50 per person

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker
  • ice cream scoop or spoon
  • cutting board
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

For the acorn squash:

  • 2 acorn squash halved and seeds removed
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp salt and pepper to taste You may brush with melted butter after cooking.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar for vegan, get a vegan balsamic or use maple syrup instead with a few drops of lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

For the stuffing:

  • 15 oz can chickpeas drained and rinsed (replace with cooked ground turkey sausage or another plant-based protein such as canned black beans or cooked quinoa).
  • ½ cup baby spinach thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp minced red onion
  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds or chopped dried cranberries
  • 2 tbsp chopped roasted pecans
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta omit if making it vegan
  • Fresh sage or another herb
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cut your squash in half down the middle, either crosswise like I did or lengthwise. Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, remove the seeds from squash halves. Season flesh with salt and pepper. Place the steamer basket into your Instant Pot or pressure cooker and pour 1/2 cup of water.
  • Place squash halves over the Instant Pot steamer basket. Close lid set pressure valve to sealing, set to manual (high pressure) for 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft you want the squash to be. If stuffing acorn squash, cook for only 3 minutes for a firmer squash but if mashing, cook for 5 minutes or delay the quick release for a couple of minutes.
  • Perform a quick release of the pressure right after the cooking. If stuffing, brush melted butter on the flesh and reserve.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the stuffing. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until homogeneous. Then mix in chickpeas, spinach, red onion, pecans, and pomegranate seeds.
  • Spoon mixture into the cavity of the acorn halves, sprinkle feta on top, and herb. Serve this vegetarian and vegan stuffed acorn squash and enjoy!
  • If not stuffing, you may use a spoon or fork to pull out cooked acorn squash from its shell, or you can pull out meat by hand once cooled and use to make acorn squash soup for example.

Recipe Notes

To add a touch of sweetened drizzle honey or maple syrup on top right before serving.
Cook’s Notes for Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • If cooking acorn squash in the Instant Pot, time varies depending on if you want it more or less tender. If you intend to stuff acorn squash, you may cook it for about 3 minutes so that it will not be so tender that the skin separates from the flesh. But if you intend to mash the flesh or use it in other dishes, you may cook  itfor 4-5 minutes.
  • Once seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you may serve acorn squash brushed with butter or stuffed (savory)-- or drizzled with honey or maple syrup and a pinch of spices (sweet).
  • Steamed acorn squash in the pressure cooker makes great baby food. You just have to mash it and serve.
  • This stuffed acorn squash recipe is both vegan and vegetarian, but if desired, add cooked ground turkey sausage or pieces of bacon to the stuffing.
  • Of course, you can also cook acorn squash in the microwave, in the oven, or on the grill but it will take more time than in the Instant Pot.
  • Looking for other holiday sides? Try this microwave mac and cheese, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, broccoli gratin, and low carb biscuits.
Storage
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze in bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat before eating. It’s one of those easy freezer meals!

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 977mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1198IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 3mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: American Recipes, Dinner in 30 Minutes or Less, Easy And Delish, Gluten-Free, Pressure Cooker, Quick & Easy, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John / Kitchen Riffs

    October 14, 2020 at 9:02 am

    Acorn squash is always so much fun to stuff! This is a really creative recipe — so much good stuff in it. Thaks!

    Reply
  2. Raymund

    October 14, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    This is so vibrant! the textures, colours and flavours on this dish is simply stunning

    Reply
  3. Dennis Yannakos

    October 15, 2020 at 12:12 am

    5 stars
    Wow! It makes my mouth water!
    Cool Kitchen Utensils

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Denise Browning!

I'm a professional Chef with an expertise in Brazilian food. I am also a busy mom of two girls, living in Texas. Here you will find budget-friendly, healthy Brazilian and Global Recipes made Easy and Delish! I'd love to help you feed your family healthy dinners (many low carb) with a few splurges because life is all about balance! Join our community and happy cooking!

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