Crockpot Caramelized Butternut Squash and Apples Recipe
This Crockpot Caramelized Butternut Squash and Apples recipe offers a warm, comforting side dish perfect for fall and winter meals. Tender butternut squash and sweet apples are slow-cooked with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create a naturally sweet, caramelized flavor that pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or Thanksgiving dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Fruits
- 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
- 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 3 cups)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables and apples: Peel, cube the butternut squash, and peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Combine the coating mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix ingredients in crockpot: Place the cubed butternut squash and chopped apples into the crockpot. Pour the butter and spice mixture over them, then stir gently to evenly coat all the pieces with the caramelizing mixture.
- Slow cook the mixture: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. The squash and apples should become very tender and caramelized, developing rich flavors.
- Serve warm: Once cooked, gently stir the mixture again and transfer to a serving dish. Serve warm as a delicious side to your favorite main course.
Notes
- You can substitute the apples with pears for a slightly different flavor.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet or sweeter dish.
- If you don’t have a crockpot, this recipe can be adapted to cook in a covered baking dish in a 350°F oven for about 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves can enhance the spice profile.
- This dish pairs well with roasted turkey, pork, or chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: butternut squash, caramelized apples, crockpot side dish, fall recipe, autumn vegetables, slow cooker recipes
