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Home / Recipes / Curry Recipes

Butternut Squash Curry

Published: Nov 2, 2023 · Modified: Sep 27, 2024 by Sujatha Muralidhar · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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butternut squash curry with coconut milk served with rice

The Fall is finally here, and you know what that means? Try this Butternut Squash Curry alongside pumpkin-spiced lattes, cozy sweaters, and rich butternut squash dishes.

butternut squash curry served in a plated with white rice

And today, we've got a real treat that combines the best comfort food with the vibrant flavors of global cuisine. 

After making spicy butternut squash soup, I had extra butternut squash from the market, so I made this butternut squash curry with coconut milk. We loved it and hope you will, too!

Prepare this curry in larger batches over the weekend and then portion it into individual airtight containers for easy and convenient grab-and-go lunches. Here's a recipe to make effortless meals for the rest of the week.

Why You'll Love This Recipe?

⭐️Creamy & delicious.

⭐️This dish is entirely vegan.

⭐️Meal prep friendly.

⭐️A perfect fall recipe.

Ingredients

  • Coconut Milk: I used full coconut milk. Feel free to use a lighter version, but it will be less creamy.
  • Butternut Squash: Because it has thick skin, removing it using a peeler rather than a knife is best. If you prefer, you can also buy pre-cut butternut squash to save time.
  • Onions: This recipe works with either red or yellow onions.
  • Garlic: I highly recommend freshly peeled cloves of garlic brightness.
  • Curry Powder: You can find it in most grocery stores or online.
  • Cayenne Pepper and Paprika Blend: For authentic Indian flavors, combine half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with half a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
  • Olive Oil: For added richness, you can also use coconut or vegetable oil
  • Optional: Grate some fresh ginger and garnish it with chopped cilantro leaves.

How To Make Butternut Squash Curry?

step 1 for making butternut squash curry-roasting butternut squash
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil and salt, then roast on a baking sheet for 25-30 minutes until tender and crispy.
step 2  sauteing onion
  1. While squash roasts, heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Cook diced onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
step 3 adding spices
  1. Add curry powder, cumin, and coriander to the pot, stirring to combine. Pour in coconut milk, roasted squash, and salt. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
step 4 for making butternut squash curry-adding veggies
  1. Serve in bowls, garnishing with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice.

What To Serve With?

  • Salad: A simple green salad or this spicy complement, the Fiesta salad, would be an excellent choice.
  • Rice: The bold flavors of the curry will be complemented by a bed of jasmine rice, brown rice, or steamed white rice.
  • Naan Bread: A soft, fluffy naan bread is perfect for scooping up the tasty curry.
  • Cooling Side Dishes: Enjoy with Indian raita or freshly cut veggies.

Variations

  • Party Variations: Consider swapping the coconut milk with fresh cream.
  • Veggies: Add broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or zucchini. Don't worry; the curry will taste perfect with the added natural flavors of these veggies.
  • Protein: For extra protein, add ingredients like chickpeas, mung beans, lima beans, tofu, or cottage cheese; refer to recipes like tofu curry or lima bean curry.
  • Thai Flavors: Add a tablespoon of Thai red curry paste during the final stages of the cooking process. Allow it to cook on low heat for 1-2 minutes. Finish by garnishing it with Thai basil.
  • For a sweeter version, Stir in maple syrup or coconut sugar at the end of the cooking process.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Heavy-bottomed pan: For the even heat distribution that makes perfect sauteed onion(a crucial part of achieving the best texture).
  • Roasted Butternut Squash: Roast the butternut squash cubes before adding them to the curry.
  • A Squeeze of Lime Juice:  Drizzling freshly squeezed lime juice enhances and balances the richness of the curry.

FAQ

Which onion is best for this butternut squash curry?

Both are great and have unique flavors. Red onion offers a mild, savory flavor, while yellow onion has a gentle hint of sweetness that balances the curry's heat.

Is curry powder essential in this recipe?

Yes, it's one of the flavor boosters you can rely on to bring out all the beautiful Indian flavors. Invest in this ingredient if you enjoy making curries at home frequently or are considering trying them.

How do you adjust the heat in this recipe?

Cayenne pepper is the heat-producing ingredient in this recipe. If you find it too spicy, you can adjust the amount or skip using it; it won't significantly affect the overall taste of the recipe.

What to substitute with coconut milk?

You can substitute it with fresh cream or almond milk.

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If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.

📖 Recipe

butternut squash curry served in a dinner plate with rice

Butternut Squash Curry

Savor the sweet and nutty flavors of butternut squash curry! Perfect for weeknight dinners, this easy-to-make dish is packed with warm spices!
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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Baking time: 7 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
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Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash about 2-3 lbs, peeled and cubed
  • 1 14 oz coconut milk full fat/light
  • 1 cup onion chopped / 1 large onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice /lime juice

Instructions

Preheat Oven

  1. First, preheat your oven to 400°F.

Roast the Squash

  1. Toss the butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes or until they're tender and a little crispy on the edges.

Cook the Base

  1. While the squash is roasting, heat the remaining olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until they're soft and smellin' good.

Spice It Up

  1. Add the curry powder, ground cumin, and coriander to the pot. Stir it all together so the spices get mixed in.

Add the key ingredints

  1. Add the can of coconut milk, the roasted butternut squash, and the salt to the pot. Stir it up so everything gets mixed.

Cook in low heat

  1. Reduce the heat to low and let the curry cook for about 10 minutes. This helps all the flavors to develop.

Garnish and Serve.

  1. Dish it up into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon juice.

Notes

To Store: Transfer the leftover curry to an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
To Freezer: This recipe is freezer-friendly. Transfer the leftover butternut squash curry to a freezer-safe, sealed container or Ziploc bag. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months, ideally in individual portions for easy and convenient thawing and reheating.
To Thaw: To defrost the curry, leave it in the refrigerator overnight until it becomes soft. Alternatively, you can gently thaw it in the microwave in short intervals.
To Reheat: After your curry thaws, you have two reheating options: stovetop or microwave. To reheat on the stovetop, transfer the cold curry to a pan over medium-low heat and stir it occasionally until it turns hot. If you opt for the microwave, place the curry in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in one to two-minute intervals, stirring in between until it's hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 9991IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

Additional Info

Course Dinner Recipe
Cuisine American, Indian
Author Sujatha Muralidhar
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The author image of the food blog pepperbowl.com

Hi, I'm Suja! I'm the person behind PEPPER BOWL, based in Pennsylvania. I focus on easy, simple-to-make recipes inspired by rich flavors with a hint of heat. I enjoy simplifying recipes with minimal ingredients to suit today's busy lifestyle.

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