Maple Braised Butternut Squash Side Dish

 A simple, sweet, and easy Maple Braised Butternut Squash Side Dish will cozy up just about any meal.  The sweet nutty squash is braised with turkey broth, butter, and maple syrup and seasoned with fresh thyme for the ultimate fall side dish. 

If you enjoy butternut squash as much as we do, be sure to check out my Southwest Black Bean Stuffed Butternut Squash, Smoked Gouda Dip With Butternut Squash, our favorite Butternut Squash Soup, and Pumpkin Alfredo with Butternut Squash Ravioli.

Maple Braised Butternut Squash

We celebrated our oldest daughter’s birthday a while back by going out to dinner and it did not disappoint! If you’re in the St. Louis area, check out Annie Guns in Chesterfield Bottoms, where Chef Lou Rook, III creates irresistible dishes.

My filet was exceptional, the mashed potatoes were dreamy, and the butternut squash side was the star of the meal! It was incredibly tender with a hint of maple. The waitress even shared how easy it is to make the maple braised butternut squash side dish!

What Is Braising?

Braising is a cooking method that combines dry and moist heat to create tender, flavorful dishes. It starts with searing food at a high temperature to develop a caramelized exterior, followed by slow cooking in a covered pot with a small amount of liquid, like broth or wine. This method makes tougher cuts of meat and hearty vegetables tender while infusing them with rich flavors, resulting in comforting and delicious meals.

Why We Love Easy This Butternut Squash Side Dish

I knew this would be a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, but I couldn’t wait to try it. I gave it a test run and was thrilled it turned out just as delicious as it did at the restaurant!

The maple syrup beautifully complements the braised butternut squash, giving each piece a mouthwatering glisten.

• Sweet and Savory: The maple syrup adds just the right touch of sweetness, balanced by savory turkey broth and thyme.
• Rich and Comforting: Each bite is packed with flavor, bringing a warm, comforting touch to any meal.
• Simple Ingredients: Turkey broth, butter, maple syrup, and fresh thyme make this a quick, flavorful dish without complicated ingredients.
• Versatile Side: Pairs well with roasted meats, holiday spreads, or even a simple weeknight meal.

How Do You Cut Up Butternut Squash

With just four main ingredients, you would be hard-pressed to find a dish that is this easy to prepare.  The hardest or most time-consuming part was cutting up the butternut squash.  I learned how to peel and cut a butternut squash at by watching a video on SimpleRecipes.

You could also cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, then cut each half lengthwise into 1-inch strips. This makes it easy to lay each piece on its sides and cut away the skin.

If you were making this side dish for Thanksgiving, I think you could do this part a day ahead and store the cut squash in the refrigerator.

What Pan Should You Use To Braise Butternut Squash

My Le Creuset Braiser was perfect for cooking this butternut squash dish, but you could also use a large, deep skillet.

Even if you are not hosting Thanksgiving, this Maple Braised Butternut Squash dish reheates perfectly.  So you should have no problem traveling with it and reheat it before serving.

More Butternut Squash Recipes

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta at Two Peas and Their Pod

Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado at Cookie and Kate

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup at Just a Taste

Butternut Squash, Arugula and Bacon Quiche at Gimme Some Oven

Butternut Squash Lasagna at Simple Bites

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MAPLE-BRAISED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

A simple sweet and easy Maple Braised Butternut Squash recipe that will cozy up just about any meal. The squash is braised with turkey broth, and maple syrup and seasoned with fresh thyme for the ultimate fall side dish.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1  (3 – 3 1/2 pound) butternut squash, halved lengthwise, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups turkey broth
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a heavy large deep skillet over high heat.
2. Add squash and sauté 1-2 minutes.
3. Add broth, syrup, thyme, salt, and pepper and bring to boil.
4. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until squash is almost tender 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer squash to a large bowl. Boil liquid in skillet until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Return squash to skillet. Cook until tender, turning occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with thyme, if desired.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chef's Knife
• Stainless Steel Strainer Skimmer 
• Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Stir Fry Pan, 12"
• Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Braiser, 5 qt. , White

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 142
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 27mg
Sodium: 519mg
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 12g
Protein: 1g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.