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Slow-Cooker Braised Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries

By Sebastian Nava

Published on October 26, 2017

Time

4 to 5 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Slow cooker size

5 to 7 quarts

Slow-Cooker Braised Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth 2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed2 sprigs fresh thyme Salt and pepper 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced 1 inch thick2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons juice¼ cup pecans, toasted and chopped⅓ tablespoon minced fresh parsley ¼ cup dried cranberries

Before You Begin

You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Combine broth, garlic, thyme sprigs, and ¼ teaspoon salt in slow cooker. Nestle squash into slow cooker. Cover and cook until squash is tender, 4 to 5 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.
  2. Using slotted spoon, transfer squash to serving dish, brushing away any garlic cloves or thyme sprigs that stick to squash. Whisk oil and lemon zest and juice together in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle squash with dressing and sprinkle with pecans, cranberries, and parsley. Serve.
Slow-Cooker Braised Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries
Styling by Sally Staub.

Slow-Cooker Braised Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries

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Time

4 to 5 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Slow cooker size

5 to 7 quarts

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced 1 inch thick
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons juice
¼ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
⅓ tablespoon minced fresh parsley
¼ cup dried cranberries

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced 1 inch thick
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons juice
¼ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
⅓ tablespoon minced fresh parsley
¼ cup dried cranberries

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced 1 inch thick
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons juice
¼ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
⅓ tablespoon minced fresh parsley
¼ cup dried cranberries

Why This Recipe Works

We found that a small amount of liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker, plus a couple of aromatics, was all it took to deeply flavor and perfectly steam butternut squash. Pecans and dried cranberries dressed up the squash, and a quick vinaigrette tied the elements of this vegetable side together. 

Before You Begin

You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Combine broth, garlic, thyme sprigs, and ¼ teaspoon salt in slow cooker. Nestle squash into slow cooker. Cover and cook until squash is tender, 4 to 5 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.
  2. Using slotted spoon, transfer squash to serving dish, brushing away any garlic cloves or thyme sprigs that stick to squash. Whisk oil and lemon zest and juice together in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle squash with dressing and sprinkle with pecans, cranberries, and parsley. Serve.

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