How to Cut, Peel, and Prepare Butternut Squash for Cooking

By Becky Hardin

Updated Sep 17, 2025

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Learn how to cut butternut squash with ease, including halves and cubes. Plus, learn the right way to peel and prepare it for cooking.

How to Cut and Cook Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash is one of those weird-shaped vegetables that leaves you wondering, What am I supposed to do with this? How do I cut it? What do I make with it? How do I cook it? If you’ve never cut or cooked one before, it can definitely be intimidating.

But this popular winter vegetable is so delicious, I don’t want you to miss out. So I’m here to show you, step by step, how to cut butternut squash, so you don’t have to fumble around with it.

In addition to showing you how to cut it, I’ll tell you how to peel butternut squash, prep it, store it, and give you some recipe ideas.

Tips for Beginners

• Use a large, well-sharpened knife. I like using a chef’s knife. A knife that is sturdy and heavy will make it easier to handle, and the sharpness will make it easier to slice through the squash with ease.
• Stabilize your cutting board. This way it won’t move around while chopping. Heavier boards tend to stay put a little better (compared to flimsy plastic ones). You can also dampen the surface beneath the board to help it stay in place.
• Start with a small pierce. If you’re having trouble getting through the skin, try piercing the skin first with the tip of the knife, and then make a full cut.
• Protect those fingers. Gently tuck your fingertips, almost like forming a claw, to be sure you don’t nick them while slicing.
• Soften the skin. Before cutting and peeling poke small holes all over the squash, then place it in the microwave for 2 minutes. This will make it a little easier to pierce the skin and cut it.

How to Cut Butternut Squash Step by Step

1. Place a cutting board firmly on your workspace. It’s important that the board is sturdy and doesn’t move around while cutting.
2. First, cut off both ends of the squash (about 1/4-1/2 inch).
3. Next, cut the butternut squash in half at the “neck” (where the larger half meets the skinnier part).
4. If you want to peel the squash, this is the best time to peel it. Place the flat ends on the cutting board and peel downwards.
5. Take the “neck” half and cut horizontally into rings/rounds. Or cut into long sticks, and then cube if desired.
6. Cut the large “bulb” part in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. 
7. You can roast the squash like this, in two large halves. Or, you can continue cutting into slices or cubes.
8. For cubed squash, I recommend cutting 1/2-inch to 1-inch cubes. This is a good size for cooking and/or freezing.

How to Peel Butternut Squash

You don’t always have to peel the squash, though it mostly depends on how you’ll be eating it. If you’re going to roast the whole squash, I don’t find it necessary. The skin becomes easily digestible after roasting, and it’s easy to scoop out the insides if you don’t want to eat the peel.

If you’re going to be cubing or slicing the squash to cook, then I do recommend peeling it during the cutting process. Peeling butternut squash is pretty straightforward. It has a thick, tough skin, so peeling can be a daunting task, but it’s easy.

• Peel the butternut squash after you’ve removed the ends, or after cutting it in half. You can also roast it with the skin on, and gently pull or shave it off after cooking.
• I prefer to peel it after removing the ends and cutting the neck and the larger body apart. This creates more manageable pieces to handle.
• I recommend using a Y peeler for the smoothest process. Other types of peelers might be a little harder to use, especially if they’re flimsy. If you don’t have a peeler, use a small paring knife.
• After cutting off the ends, place the squash standing up, with a flat end on the cutting board. Use your peeler to peel downwards, working your way around the squash until all the skin has been removed.

Storage

Cutting butternut squash ahead of time always makes my meal prep much faster. If you aren’t cooking it right away, you can place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

Freeze butternut squash uncooked in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. I find that cutting the squash into cubes is the easiest way to store it, especially if you’ll be freezing it.

Serving Suggestions

Roasted butternut squash is the perfect side for any meal, but I especially like it with seasoned chicken breast for a quick weeknight dinner. Squash also pairs nicely with meatloaf for the ultimate in comfort food. You can also prepare it with my air fryer salmon recipe for another quick weeknight meal option.

Easy Butternut Squash Recipes

Once you’ve manage to peel and cut butternut squash, it’s time to cook it! Here are some recipe ideas.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Casserole

Roasted Butternut Squash (Maple Butternut Squash)

Butternut Squash Stuffing