Yellow Squash Recipe

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If you’re a fan of summer squash, get ready to discover your new favorite recipe for those sun-kissed months… Introducing my quick and irresistible yellow squash recipe that will have you hooked from the first bite. Just like patty pan squash or zucchini, this summer squash can be cooked in various ways: Roasting, air frying, sauteing, or grilling… and I’ll show you all these methods. It’s the only guide for how to cook yellow squash you’ll ever need!

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking summer squash, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Yellow Squash – These summer squash are very similar to zucchini (so similar that you can use a mix of yellow squash and zucchini here!), but they taste a little sweeter and more nutty. There are actually two varieties, crookneck and straightneck yellow squash. Either will work for yellow squash recipes, but straightneck is easier when you want to cut sheets or strips. Since squash releases a lot of water, small to medium yellow squash are sweeter and less watery, making them easier to brown.
• Olive Oil – Used for flavor and browning, and to prevent sticking. You can use any neutral cooking oil you like, such as avocado oil. Since all of these methods use fairly high heat, I don’t recommend using butter, but you can drizzle with some melted butter towards the end for flavor if you like.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• Optional Flavor Boosters – Add grated parmesan cheese for a savory and nutty flavor, garlic powder for a classic flavor, homemade Italian seasoning for an herby flavor, or crushed red pepper flakes for some heat.

How To Cut Summer Squash (4 Ways)

There are 4 different ways to cut squash for yellow squash recipes! You can use most of these slicing techniques with any method, but I’ll tell you why I prefer some over others. After you trim off the ends, you can choose the shape you want:

• Strips – Cut crosswise into shorter pieces. Cut each piece in half lengthwise, then repeat again. You’re basically creating long wedges. This cut is ideal for roasting (shown below) or air frying, because it’s easy to flip and cooks quickly. You can also add breading to this shape, similar to zucchini fries.
• Circles – To cut it into circles, trim the ends and slice crosswise to make 1/2-inch-thick rounds. It’s perfect for sauteing, air frying (shown below), or roasting because it allows for even cooking and caramelization. I cut my squash this way most often! It’s also good for a yellow squash casserole, or making fried zucchini with yellow squash instead.

• Sheets – You can roast or grill summer squash cut in half lengthwise, but in my testing this method turned out kind of mushy and didn’t cook evenly. Instead, a better option is to slice lengthwise into thin sheets. (You can use a knife for this, but a mandoline makes it even easier.) This method is ideal for grilling (shown below), because it exposes a larger surface area to the grill, allowing for beautiful grill marks, and won’t fall through the grates like other shapes would. I use the same method for grilled zucchini!
• Cubes – Slice it lengthwise into thick slices. Stack the slices and cut lengthwise again to make strips. Finally, stack the strips and slice them crosswise to make cubes. This shape is ideal for sauteing (shown below), but it works for air frying or roasting, too.

How To Cook Yellow Squash

This section shows how to cook yellow squash in 4 different ways, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Baked Yellow Squash:

1. Season. Cut the squash into slices, cubes, or strips. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.
2. Bake. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray (or brush with oil) and arrange the squash. Roast yellow squash in the oven, flipping halfway through, until tender. If you like them golden brown, broil until browned.

Sauteed Yellow Squash:

1. Season. Cut the squash into circles or cubes. Toss in olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.
2. Saute. Heat more oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the squash to the pan in a single layer. Saute yellow squash, without moving, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and repeat until golden on the other side. (For cubed squash, you can just cook and stir occasionally, but avoid stirring constantly as this will prevent browning.)

Grilled Yellow Squash:

1. Season. Cut the squash into thin sheets. Brush both sides with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using. (If you plan to add parmesan, it’s best added after grilling.)
2. Grill. Brush or spray oil onto the grates on an outdoor grill (or a cast iron grill pan on the stove) and preheat. Cook yellow squash on the grill, without moving, until the grill marks form on the bottom. Flip and grill on the other side, until the squash is tender.

Air Fryer Yellow Squash:

1. Season. Cut the squash into slices, cubes, or strips. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with any flavor boosters, if using.
2. Air Fry. Arrange the yellow squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry until tender and golden. (You can also mix the squash with other air fryer vegetables!)

Recipe Variations

Simple salt and pepper is all you need to make flavorful summer squash, but every know and then, I like to spice it up. Here are some ideas, mix and match to your taste:

• Onion – Saute some diced onions (or cook for longer and make caramelized onions!) before cooking yellow squash in a skillet.
• Fresh Herbs – After cooking, sprinkle your squash with fresh basil, fresh parsley, or fresh thyme for a more summery flavor.
• Cheese – You can toss with grated parmesan before or after you cook yellow squash, as mentioned above. But it’s also delicious with any type of shredded cheese melted on top at the end!
• Sauces – Drizzle cooked yellow squash recipes with lemon butter sauce, creamy lemon garlic aioli, or sugar-free marinara.
• Lemon – Squeeze some lemon juice on the squash for a zesty, fresh flavor.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
• Meal prep: Cut or slice squash and store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days, until ready to cook.
• Reheat: Reheat in a warm skillet, in the microwave, or in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through.

Can You Freeze Summer Squash?

Yes, you can freeze cooked summer squash. Allow it to cool completely, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To freeze summer squash before cooking, wash and slice it into desired shapes and blanch it in boiling water for a couple of minutes, then quickly cool it in ice water, drain, and pat dry. Place the prepared squash in airtight freezer bags or containers, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Yellow Squash Recipes

Now that you’ve learned how to cook yellow squash recipes 4 different ways, you can pair this summer veggie with just about any main dish. Here are some of my favorites:

• Grilled Meats – While you’re grilling the yellow squash, keep the grill on and make shrimp skewers, juicy grilled pork chops, crispy grilled chicken thighs (or chicken breasts), a fancy tri tip, or a simple grilled steak. Or keep it super basic with some juicy burgers!
• Air Fryer Mains – Make a full air fryer meal or cook yellow squash using another method while you make air fried cod, crispy air fryer chicken thighs, or juicy air fryer pork chops simultaneously with other yellow squash cooking methods.
• Baked Mains – Try nut-crusted baked haddock or a reverse sear steak with your yellow squash recipe for a special meal. For every day, make easy baked chicken legs or baked salmon.
• Stovetop Dishes – You can’t go wrong with a juicy ribeye steak topped with compound butter, but for a weeknight meal, try pan fried tilapia or honey garlic chicken.

More Easy Summer Squash Recipes

I love fresh cooked veggies in the summer! Once you learn how to cook yellow squash, try these other summer squash ideas:

Yellow Squash Casserole

Zucchini Fritters

Baked Ratatouille

Patty Pan Squash

Recipe Card

5 from 6 votes

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Yellow Squash Recipe (4 Easy Ways!)

Learn how to cook yellow squash with this versatile, easy summer yellow squash recipe, made for the stovetop, oven, air fryer, or grill!

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Basic Yellow Squash:

• 2 lb Yellow squash ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢

Optional Flavor Boosters:

• 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese ▢
• 1 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
• 1/2 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Sauteed Yellow Squash:

1. Cut off the ends of the summer squash, then cut into 1/2-inch slices or 1/2-inch cubes.

2. In a large bowl, toss the squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, plus the salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.

3. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.

4. Add the squash slices to the pan in a single layer. (Work in batches if they don't fit in a single layer.) Saute yellow squash for 3-4 minutes, without moving, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and repeat until golden on the other side. (For cubed squash, you can just cook for 6-8 minutes and stir occasionally, but avoid stirring constantly as this will prevent browning.)

Roasted Yellow Squash:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray (or brush with oil).

2. Cut off the ends of the squash. Cut into 1/2-inch slices, 1/2-inch cubes, or 1/2-inch-thick strips (about 3-4 inches long).

3. In a large bowl, toss the summer squash with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.

4. Transfer the squash to a baking sheet and arrange in a single layer.

5. Roast yellow squash in the oven for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender. If you like them golden brown, roast for only 5 minutes instead, then flip and place 6 inches from the broiler for 5-8 more minutes, until browned.

Grilled Yellow Squash:

1. Brush or spray oil onto the grates on an outdoor grill, or a cast iron grill pan for stovetop cooking. Preheat the outdoor grill for at least 10 minutes, or the grill pan on the stovetop for 2 minutes, over medium-high heat.

2. Cut off the ends of the squash, then slice lengthwise into 1/2-inch sheets.

3. Brush both sides of the yellow squash slices with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using. (For the grilling method, it’s best not to add parmesan until after grilling.)

4. Place the squash onto the grill or grill pan in a single layer. (Work in batches if using a grill pan.)

5. Grill for 4 minutes, without moving, until the grill marks form on the bottom. Flip and grill for 4 more minutes on the other side, until the squash is tender.

Air Fryer Yellow Squash:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).

2. Cut off the ends of the squash. Cut into 1/2-inch slices, 1/2-inch cubes, or 1/2-inch-thick strips (about 3-4 inches long).

3. In a large bowl, toss the summer squash with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.

4. Arrange the yellow squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (Cook in batches if they don’t all fit in a single layer. Mine took 2 batches.)

5. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, until tender and golden.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup, or 1/4 entire recipe

Nutrition info does not include optional flavor boosters.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 97

Fat 7.2g

Protein 2.8g

Total Carbs 7.8g

Net Carbs 5.2g

Fiber 2.6g

Sugar 5g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: how to cook yellow squash, summer squash, yellow squash, yellow squash recipe, yellow squash recipes

Calories: 97 kcal

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