Grilled Acorn Squash is a delicious gluten free/ dairy free vegetable side dish made in 30 minutes with spices and a drizzle of honey.
Fire up the grill for a fun twist on a traditional side dish; my 30-minute recipe for Grilled Acorn Squash. My acorn squash recipe is the perfect grilled side dish for just about any time of the year, but especially during the holidays.
We always only ate acorn squash at Thanksgiving. My mother-inlaw would bake acorn squash and we would each get a half to scoop out and eat. However; many people don’t know that you can grill acorn squash. Did you know that? Yep, you read that right. It’s actually really easy, and a fun twist on typical squash recipe. My family loves acorn squash. When I created this recipe years ago this is now the only way they want to eat it.
In this post you will learn the following information on how to make these fork-tender grilled acorn squash slices.
Ingredients
- Acorn Squash – One green acorn squash is all you will need. You can use an orange acorn squash as long as it doesn’t have any soft spots.
- Grapeseed Oil – Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point and is perfect for grilling.
- Spices – For this recipe I use salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Honey – A small drizzle goes a long way and brings out the spices on the acorn squash.
Directions
Preheat the grill to high heat. Clean the grill and then reduce the heat to low (grill temperature should sit around 300-350 degrees).
Slice the acorn squash in half. Remove all the seeds with a spoon. Then slice into 8 segments.
Drizzle grapeseed oil oven the acorn squash and brush it around evenly. Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, garlic powder on the squash. Rub with fingers then add a dash of cayenne.
Spray the grill with non-stick cooking spray. Place the acorn squash segments on the grill. Grill with lid closed for 20 minutes. Flipping at the 10 minute mark. Remove the acorn squash once tender. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.
FAQs
Slice acorn squash into wedges. Grill on medium heat for 20 minutes (flipping half way through) until the acorn squash is fork tender.
Surprisingly, you can eat the acorn squash skin. The skin needs to be cooked until tender to be able to enjoy the skin.
Acorn squash is milder in taste opposed to some of its other cousins in the squash family. It’s slightly more fibrous in texture than butternut squash but similar in flavor. Acorn squash can be sweet with a slight nutty flavor.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve found helpful when making my recipe for grilled acorn squash.
- Slice – Slicing the acorn squash can be challenging. It’s just as hard as cutting through butternut squash or even spaghetti squash. If I know I’m going to cook with my acorn squash quickly I’ll ask the produce department at my grocery store to at least cut it in half for me!
- Season – Acorn squash grilled is best with seasoning. Don’t slack with the seasoning as the bbq acorn squash by it’s self tends to not yield as much flavor.
- Grill – I have always cooked acorn squash on gas grill, but you can also cook it on a charcoal grill too. The time might vary as for how long it will take you to grill.
- Vegan – Make this vegan by substituting the honey for a plant based sweetner like agave nectar, maple syrup, or Bee Free Honee.
Squash Recipes
If you love these grilled acorn squash slices you’ll love these other squash focus dinners!
In less than 30 minutes you have a seasonal holiday side dish that your friends and family can enjoy. If your looking to switch up your holiday dinner I invite you to try my recipe for Grilled Honey Acorn Squash. I paired this side dish with my grilled ham steaks as an easy afternoon lunch or dinner.
If you make this acorn squash recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Grilled Acorn Squash
Equipment
- Grill
Ingredients
- 1 Acorn squash cut in 8 slices
- Cooking Spray
- 1 tablespoon Grapeseed oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Dash Cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons Honey divided
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to high heat. Clean the grill and then reduce the heat to low (grill temperature should sit around 300-350 degrees).
- Slice the acorn squash in half. Remove all the seeds with a spoon. Then slice into 8 segments.
- Drizzle grapeseed oil oven the acorn squash and sprinkle the salt, black pepper, garlic powder on the acorn squash. Rub with fingers then add a dash of cayenne.
- Spray the grill with non-stick cooking spray. Place the acorn squash segments on the grill. Grill with lid closed for 20 minutes. Flipping at the 10 minute mark.
- Remove the acorn squash once tender. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.
Notes
- Slice – Slicing the acorn squash can be challenging. It’s just as hard as cutting through butternut squash or even spaghetti squash. If I know I’m going to cook with my acorn squash quickly I’ll ask the produce department at my grocery store to at least cut it in half for me!
- Season – Acorn squash grilled is best with seasoning. Don’t slack with the seasoning as the bbq acorn squash by it’s self tends to not yield as much flavor.
- Grill – I have always cooked acorn squash on gas grill, but you can also cook it on a charcoal grill too. The time might vary as for how long it will take you to grill.
- Vegan – Make this vegan by substituting the honey for a plant based sweetner like agave nectar, maple syrup, or Bee Free Honee.
Nutrition
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RIC
I needed a recipe to get me past my first time grilling acorn squash. This is the perfect go to recipe, thank you. I added Mexican oregano along with onion powder.
Katie
Ric glad you enjoyed this recipe! Love your additions.
Renea
I’ve had acorn squash in very nice restaurants twice this week. Neither of the restaurant presentations touched this recipe. The chili seasoning with the honey is an excellent combination. We’ll be making this again. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Katie
Hi Renea, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5 star comment! I also love the sweet and spicy flavors of this acorn squash!
Chuck Carroll
OMG — This was so easy and so wonderful…
Backstory…
I woke up this morning “jonseing” for squaush. I love grilling but live in Palm Springs, so getting a little toasty out here (June).. Nevertheless, I decided to go for it.
Picture it: Fast dashes between the grill and the AC (110 degrees outside).
But, it was sooooooooooo worth it!
These gems are bits of heaven!
A great and simple combo of spices. Would personally suggest maybe doubling them, but it’s up to you… also add a tablespoon or more of brown sugar.
Grill as suugested at a REALLY low heat. My gas grill needed to be watched. 400 degrees was about as low as I could get it… so had to open the lid occasionally. But the careful watch was totally worth it. Beiautifully scorred on all sides including the skin and the texture was perfect at about 10 minutes per side.
Once removed — your choice — I don’t “drizzle” honey. Just pour on as much as you want. And, please, please eat the skin — yummy!
Then, close your eyes and go to heaven 😉
Thanks for this totally easy and totally enjoyable recipe that will pair with a MILLION things!
Katie
Hi Chuck, thank you so much for leaving such a vivid picture of your grilling experience and taking the time to leave a 5 star review. I truly appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed this recipe so much. I also agree, pour on the honey! 🙂
John
This was very good. I skipped the honey and served it with grilled chicken kebabs. It cooked just as the posted photos showed. I also liked the fact that it wasn’t a thanksgiving spiced dish. It was just good grilling with nice flavor, no nutmeg, maple syrup or other heavy flavors. Very easy as well.
Katie
Hi John, glad that you enjoyed this recipe! I also like that you don’t have the traditional “fall flavors” in this side dish.
Nan Ball
Found this recipe yesterday and we love it! Another example of a grilled veggie that my hubbie now eats willingly. Thank You!
Katie
Hi Nan, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5-star review! So happy your hubby loves this recipe, too!
Amy Geurts
Great change up for squash… it was delicious…
Katie
Hi Amy, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5-star review. Such a simple yet flavorful dish!
Colleen
Loved this recipe. The cooking temp and time where perfect. Just the right char on the squash. The spice in this recipe is light with just a hint of heat and sweet. I changed it up the second time and added chipotle and a honey chipotle glaze. This is one of those recipes that gives you the perfect cooking instructions and allows for some play with the spices.
Katie
Hi Colleen,
Thank you so much for leaving such valuable feedback! I love the idea of a honey chipotle glaze! I might have to test that and give it as an additional add on option!