Grilled Acorn Squash Recipe

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/10/22
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Sweet Grilled Acorn Squash

The Spruce / Danielle Moore

Prep: 7 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 22 mins
Servings: 4 servings

When you are grilling an autumn feast, don't think that the acorn squash needs to go in the oven. Instead, you can make sweet acorn squash on the grill. This squash dish makes a great side for turkey, prime rib, lamb, or duck. Try this recipe next time you have a fancy meal, and you'll be sure to please most everyone.

This recipe uses the indirect grilling method to bake the squash on the grill. You can set up a charcoal grill so the coals are to one side and then grill the squash on the unheated side. For a gas grill, turn off the flame on one side. Depending on your grill, you might be able to turn off the back or front rows of flame, or it may have controls for each side.

An alternative way to grill indirectly is to place a drip pan under the squash. This could be a cast-iron drip pan or a disposable aluminum drip pan. This will also catch any drips of the sweet filling of the squash. A third variation is to wrap the squash in aluminum foil to grill them.

Ingredients

  • 4 small acorn squash, halved and seeded

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped

  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Sweet Grilled Acorn Squash ingredients

    The Spruce / Danielle Moore

  2. Cut the acorn squashes in half. Remove the seeds and strings.

    Cut the acorn squashes in half and remove the seeds and strings

    The Spruce / Danielle Moore

  3. To make them balance better on the grill, turn them over and cut a 1-inch strip about 1/2-inch deep to create a flat bottom from the rounded exterior.

    cut a piece of the squash to give a stable bottom

    The Spruce / Danielle Moore

  4. In a small bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, walnuts, and nutmeg. Spoon the mixture into the squash halves.

    combine the butter, brown sugar, walnuts, and nutmeg in a bowl

    The Spruce / Danielle Moore

  5. Preheat the grill and prepare for indirect cooking. Place the stuffed squash on the unheated portion of the grill, over a drip pan, or wrap it in aluminum foil before placing on the grill. Allow the squash to cook for 15 to 18 minutes or until it is tender.

    Sweet Grilled Acorn Squash on a grill

    The Spruce / Danielle Moore

Tips

  • Depending on the size of the squash, you can serve each person one or two halves. For larger squashes, you may need to cut the grilled squash into quarters after it is done.
  • Save the squash seeds to roast for snacks. They are filled with healthy nutrients. Rinse them and lay them out on a paper towel to dry for at least 30 minutes, or put them out of the way for several hours (or even overnight). When you are ready, sprinkle them with melted butter and salt and toast them on a baking sheet in the oven at 275 F for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • If you have a smoker, you could smoke the squash. It's great in soups and stews.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
450 Calories
33g Fat
38g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 450
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 16g 79%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 196mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 38g 14%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 27g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 27mg 133%
Calcium 101mg 8%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 639mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)