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Grilled Acorn Squash ~ Sweet Squash on the BBQ in 6 Steps

Grilled Acorn Squash ~ Sweet Squash on the BBQ in 6 Steps

Grilled acorn squash is a wonderful dish that is easy to make. You can do so much with it – go sweet or savory, stir fry, roast, or grill, the possibilities are endless! 

When shopping for acorn squash, look for one that is heavy for its size and has a nice balance of orange and green coloring. The skin should be dull and smooth, but sometimes the producer may have put wax on it. Shiny skin means that the squash was picked before it was fully mature.

Grilled Acorn Squash

This grilled squash recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to make. You keep the peel on and don’t need to scoop out the squash. All you need to do is slice it and remove the seeds.

You can go with a base recipe by leaving off the honey, but I highly recommend drizzling a little smoked honey on it. Add a little cinnamon and just a pinch of nutmeg, and you won’t have any problem getting the kids to eat their veggies – adults either!

Grilling acorn squash makes it have a firmer texture than cooking it on the stovetop or baking it in the oven when the squash often becomes mushy. If you don’t have a grill, you can also get a similar texture — firm and not soft — by setting the oven to broil.

Put these ingredients on your grocery list, and use these steps below to make grilled acorn squash. While squash is associated with fall and winter, you can cook it on the grill anytime you find it at the store. It’s light and delicious. This grilled acorn squash recipe serves four.

Ingredients

  • 1 acorn squash – Seeded and cut into about 8 wedges
  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or avocado oil – Choose one of these oils over olive oil when making grilled acorn squash. The grill will get hot. These oils have some of the highest smoke points (445 degrees F for grapeseed oil and 520 degrees F for avocado oil compared to olive oil which is around 400 degrees F).
  • Sea salt
  • Coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • Optional – Smoked honey
  • Optional – You can also add 1 teaspoon Vietnamese cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and a pinch of nutmeg. In my house, we use Red Ape Cinnamon which is pure cinnamon and certified Palm Oil Free. 

How to Make Acorn Squash on the Grill

  1. Preheat the grill to medium low. Wash and cut the acorn squash. Cut it into 8 wedges, give or take. Remove the seeds. 
  2. Drizzle the oil over the squash wedges. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. If using, add cinnamon, ground ginger, brown sugar, and ground nutmeg as well. 
  3. Coat the grill with non-stick cooking spray or brush with avocado oil. Or use a grill pan. 
  4. Arrange the acorn squash wedges on the grill. Lay them on their sides so they get some nice grill marks. Cook with the lid closed for 10 minutes.
  5. Flip the squash wedges and cook with the lid closed for another 10 minutes or until it is tender.
  6. Remove the squash and serve.

Another variation is to coat them with butter before grilling and toss with balsamic and garlic. You can also make garlic butter sauce or drizzle roasted garlic aioli on them.

In addition to adding cinnamon and brown sugar, another way to make acorn squash more appealing for kids is to brush the acorn squash wedges with coconut oil instead of the avocado oil. It will give it a sweeter taste.

grilled acorn squash recipe

I brushed this acorn squash with coconut oil before grilling and topped it with raisins and chopped nuts.

Making Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is an underrated fruit. Changing up the seasonings will help keep this recipe in your rotation. Cooking squash on the grill gives it a much firmer consistency than when you cook it on the stovetop. The grill marks on the squash give it a homecooked authenticity.

You can quarter the acorn squash if you prefer larger pieces. However, you’ll have to increase the cook time. I like cutting it into smaller pieces so they cook faster. Either way, cooking acorn squash on the grill is fun and easy to do. You can do this with other winter squash as well. Cooking squash on the BBQ is fun. You can skewer it for shish-ka-bob as well. 

FAQs

Do you leave peel on when grilling acorn squash?

Yes, when making grilled acorn squash, you can keep the peel / skin on. It will become tender after grilling. You can eat the entire piece, skin and all.

Can you eat acorn squash skin?

After cooking, grilling, broiling, roasting, or baking it, yes, you can eat the skin or the peel on acorn squash. It will be mild and tender. Once the squash is cooked, the skin will easily separate from the meat.

What goes well with acorn squash?

Acorn squash pairs well with all types of meat, fish, rice and pasta dishes. It also goes well with potatoes and dark leafy greens.

How do you pick an acorn squash?

Choose one that’s dark green in color. It should have an orange spot as well. 

What does grilled acorn squash taste like?

It has a sweet, buttery taste and will be complimented by the spices you use to enhance it. It’s a tad sweeter than pumpkin. Grilling it gives it a softer consistency than when you first cut it open when it’s raw.

Grilling Squash

We often forget about our grill or it’s not convenient to use because of the weather. However, whenever we do, the meal is fantastic. There’s just something better about foods we make on the grill. 

We make most of our food at home rather than going out to eat. We also avoid processed foods. This is because my son has a palm oil allergy and palm oil intolerance. So many premade foods contain palm oil. The good news is I’ve learned to make most all of our foods from scratch. In the process, we are eating so many more fruits and vegetables and are eating healthier overall. We all feel better too. Cooking palm oil free is easy. It just takes time. 

Serve acorn squash with grilled pineapple and peppers and cauliflower rice for a healthy meal. 

Make Grilled Acorn Squash Tonight!

In conclusion, acorn squash can be roasted on the grill. It gives off a sweet scent and has a delicious flavor. According to WebMD, there has been research showing that carotenoids like those found in acorn squash can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Acorn squash is an excellent source of antioxidants, beta-carotene, and vitamin A. It also contains folate and magnesium among other nutrients.

This grilled acorn squash recipe is simple. The sweetness of the squash also balances nicely with savory spices such as cumin and coriander. 

Try grilling acorn squash. It’s a great way to cook squash and gives it a different flavor than roasting or boiling it. Love making squash? Try making air fry butternut squash

If you make this grilled acorn squash recipe, please let me know in the Comments. I’d love to know how you prepared it, what you served it with, and if you enjoyed it. I often forget about making acorn squash but when I see it at the store, I buy it and make this dish.

grilled acorn squash
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Grilled Acorn Squash

This acorn squash recipe is one you'll want to serve often when squash is in season. When at the grocery store, look for acorn squash with dull and smooth skin with both orange and green coloring.
There's a lot you can do to change up the flavors. I love it with smoked honey and pure cinnamon. When possible, choose avocado oil or grapeseed oil which has a higher smoke point. This is a healthy and delicious side dish everyone will enjoy. And it's super easy to make on the grill.
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword acorn squash on grill, grilled acorn squash, grilled acorn squash recipe, how to make grilled acorn squash
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or avocado oil
  • sea salt
  • coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • Optional: smoked honey
  • Optional: 1 tsp Vietnamese cinnamon, 1 tsp brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and a pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  • Preheat grill to medium low.
  • Wash and then cut the squash into about 8 wedges. Remove the seeds.
  • Drizzle the oil over the squash wedges. Sprinkle on the seasoning.
  • Use non-stick cooking spray on the grill or use a grill pan.
  • Arrange the acorn squash wedges on the grill. Lay them on their sides so they get some nice grill marks. Cook with the lid closed for 10 minutes.
  • Flip the squash wedges and cook with the lid closed for another 10 minutes or until it is tender. Do not overcook.
  • Remove the squash and serve.
Recipe Rating