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–+ servings
4 plates of yellow Summer squash seasoned with breadcrumbs, salt, seasoning, and parmesan cheese
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5 from 12 votes

How To Cook Yellow Squash

Yellow squash is an easy, healthy summer veggie side dish that can be roasted, grilled, sautéed, steamed, boiled, or even fried in the air fryer!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Yellow Squash
Servings: 6
Calories: 71kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 4 yellow squash (medium-sized)
  • 3 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Additional Toppings (optional, see ideas above)

Instructions

  • Wash and dry squash and cut into 1/2" slices. Choose a method to prepare. *See boiling and steaming instructions in the notes below
    Two yellow Summer squash on a cutting board, one has been sliced half-way through

To Roast (or Bake):

  • Brush with olive oil and season with salt. Bake at 400-degrees for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
    Sliced Summer squash on a baking sheet with olive oil ready to be roasted

To Sauté:

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add squash slices. Sauté for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
    Sliced yellow squash being sautéed in a skillet

To Grill:

  • Brush with butter or oil grill for 5 minutes per side or until tender. Season with salt with each turn.
    Yellow squash being grilled on a grill

To Air Fry:

  • Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Air fry at 375-degrees for 8 minutes, flipping half-way through. Season more after flipping if needed.
    Sliced squash in an air fryer ready to be cooked

Video

Notes

*To Boil:

Cut the squash into rounds or chunks. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the squash and cook for 5-7 minutes until it's tender but not mushy. Drain and season as desired.
*To Steam:
Slice the squash and place it in a microwave-safe bowl with a bit of water. Cover and microwave for 3-5 minutes, checking for tenderness. Alternatively, use a stovetop steamer by boiling water in a saucepan, placing the squash in a steamer basket, and steaming for 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

Recipe Tips:

I love topping my cooked squash with fun toppings and seasonings to add some variety. Of course you can never go wrong with simply seasoning with salt and pepper. Sometimes you just want to bring out the natural flavors, and that's totally fine. But sometimes, it's fun to try something new. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch things up:
    • Seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs - You can add the breadcrumbs after cooking, or if you are baking, roasting, or air-frying your squash you can add the breadcrumbs beforehand. Just add a little oil or cooking spray over the top to help the breadcrumbs stay put.
    • Flaked Parmesan Cheese - This is such a quick and easy way to add some extra flavor. Simply sprinkle on a generous amount of parmesan cheese before serving (not the powdered kind, try to use the shredded or flaked).
    • Grill Seasoning - My favorite grill seasoning to put on this squash is the Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse Blend seasoning (see above). I found this stuff at Costco and I find myself putting it on EVERYTHING. It gives the squash a nice boost of flavor. If you want to go all-out, add this seasoning, THEN sprinkle with breadcrumbs AND parmesan cheese. I'm telling you, it's heavenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 436IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg