Boiled Squash and Onions

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Learn how easy it is to make my boiled squash recipe, the perfect side dish to accompany so many main meals. The yellow squash is sauteed in bacon grease with garlic and onions.

Fork digging into a bowl of boiled squash and onion.

Sometimes it really is the simple things in life that can make you happy. So on that note, I’m going to show you how to cook squash today. The simple way. This side dish might be simple and easy to make, but that doesn’t mean it also isn’t tasty.

Now, don’t blink or you might miss the short list of ingredients. The yellow squash is boiled with onion, bacon grease, and garlic (the last two ingredients being totally optional too). Then we add salt and pepper to taste before serving. That’s all you need. I bet you already have 90% of those ingredients on hand already.

It truly only takes 10 minutes to boil squash until it’s perfectly tender and translucent. So if you’re looking for a quick side dish, y’all need to step this way! 

Keep scrolling for some serving suggestions as well as more ways to make this old-school squash and onions recipe for you. For example, you can add different seasonings or cook the squash in the microwave instead of on the stovetop. You can also make as much or as little as you like. I’d suggest 1 squash and 1/4 onion per person. So this particular boiled squash recipe would make the perfect side dish for two. 

Labeled ingredients for boiled squash and onions.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Yellow squash
  • Sweet onion, like Vidalia onion.
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Bacon grease
  • Garlic

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How to Make Boiled Squash and Onions

Chop your onion…

Slice squash.

And slice your squash.

Place onion and squash in skillet.

Place them both in a large skillet.

I’m showing you how to do this on the stovetop but I have instructions on how to do it in the microwave at the bottom as well.

Add cup of water to skillet.

Add about a cup of water (just enough to cover the bottom of the skillet).

Now at this point, you can add about a tablespoon of bacon grease if you want to add a bit more flavor.

I’m just leaving mine as water though because I dearly love the flavor of the squash on its own and the onion is compliment enough for me today.

Sometimes I do add bacon grease though, so it’s totally up to you.

Place on medium-high heat just until the water in the bottom of the pan is gently boiling, then reduce heat to medium.

Place lid on skillet and let it simmer.

Put the lid on that and let it cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the squash and onions are translucent.

Translucent is fancy talk for “til they ain’t so white like they were when ya cut ’em”.

Tender squash in skillet.

There, all done!

Plate of boiled squash with onions.

Now we just gotta get them out with a slotted spoon to drain the water, place them on a plate, and salt and pepper them.

Salt and pepper according to taste and you’re ready to go.

Close-up of boiled squash.

Enjoy this old-fashioned squash and onions recipe!

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop on low heat until they’re warm again. I don’t recommend freezing the cooked squash as you’ll find it changes the texture.

Recipe Variations

Here are some easy ways to make this recipe work for you:

  • Omit the bacon grease and garlic if you want to.
  • Simply use olive oil or unsalted butter instead of bacon fat.
  • Substitute the yellow summer squash for butternut squash or zucchini.
  • Add a tablespoon of fresh herbs or one teaspoon of dried herbs. See my recommendations below!
  • Use garlic powder instead of minced garlic.
  • Add a teaspoon of seasoned salt, like Old Bay Seasoning or Lawry’s.
  • Add a teaspoon of white sugar or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness. 
  • Boil the squash in chicken broth instead of plain water.
  • Caramelize the onions in the skillet before boiling the squash.
  • Saute the squash and onion with one chopped tomato.

Recipe FAQs

What spices go well with squash?

Here are some dried herbs, fresh herbs, and spices that go well with squash: oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, and parsley.

How long does it take to boil squash?

It only takes about 10 minutes to boil squash on the stovetop.

Do you boil squash with the skin on?

Yes, you can boil the squash peeled or unpeeled. The choice is yours. I’m on team unpeeled though!

How do you not overcook squash?

Once the squash is translucent and fork-tender, remove it from the heat to prevent it from overcooking.

How else can you make squash and onions?

You can also microwave the squash and onions. To do so, place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Add water, as well as garlic and bacon grease if using. Cover and microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes or until translucent. Drain water and salt and pepper to taste.

What do you serve with boiled squash and onions?

Here are some main dish recipes that pair perfectly with this side dish:

You may also enjoy these sensational squash recipes:

Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

Summer Squash Pasta

How To Make Squash Casserole

Simple Zucchini and Squash Recipe

How To Make Squash Relish

Bowl of boiled squash.

Boiled Squash and Onions

Learn how easy it is to make my boiled squash recipe, the perfect side dish to accompany so many main meals. The yellow squash is sauteed in bacon grease with garlic and onions.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: squash
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 yellow squash, sliced
  • 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp bacon grease (optional)
  • 1 tsp minced garlic cloves (optional)
  • 1 cup water
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place sliced squash and chopped onion in a skillet. If you are using bacon grease and minced garlic, add them now as well.
    2 yellow squash, sliced, 1/2 sweet onion, chopped, 1 tbsp bacon grease (optional), 1 tsp minced garlic cloves (optional)
  • Add a cup of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan, and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
    1 cup water
  • Reduce heat to medium and cover, simmering for about 10 minutes or until the squash and onions are translucent.
  • Strain the vegetables out of the pan using a slotted spoon and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
    salt and pepper to taste
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

Happiness is where you find it, seldom where you seek it.

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84 Comments

  1. The bacon grease really amps up the flavor, and the calories, but it’s a vegetable so in my mind, that kind of cancels out the bacon grease calories. Yes, I do use butter as well. My family likes it almost “mushy” and, of course, browned like the suggestions above. My lovable Yankee husband adores this recipe as well.

  2. I love recipes where you can cook “as little or as much” as you like. I leave alone but want to cook more when my children come home.

  3. Made this tonight with my new automatic steamer, had pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy and this squash recipe. It was so good I ended up eating some potatoes and gravy and several helpings of squash, did not need the pork chop. Loved this but then have loved the recipes that you have posted on here. Squash is my new vegetable…..thank you

  4. We leave out the onions and make with veg oil, then add butter when almost done and some brown sugar. Just had some the other day.

  5. Oh my Christy, I just had a childhood moment, when I saw your Jewel Tea dish. My Mamaw had the same set , and every time I see them I always think of her. The squash recipe reminds me of my other grandmother. Thanks for the sweet memory .

  6. My dear mother-in-law taught me to make yellow squash with onions, but she added a couple of boiled eggs to the squash after it was cooked. That was truly wonderful. Her name was Venita Farr Morris. My granddaughter loves it this way.

  7. Thank you so much for this recipe. My mother always cooked squash and onions in butter and lots of it. In an effort to eat healthy I have been searching for a better way to cook it. I can’t wait to try this.

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