Back in the day, my mama would make this delish sauteed yellow squash recipe whenever squash was in season. She would simply cut the squash into slices, chop up some onion and cook it down until it was tender and soft with bacon grease and a little salt and pepper. I could eat two or three bowls of it because it was that good. Cooking yellow squash ain’t hard but it sure is good. Here is how the South does it.
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How to Cook Yellow Squash
1. Slice the yellow squash into thin, even rounds
Keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.
2. Add the squash, onion, fat, and seasoning to a pot
Pour in a little water, season with salt and pepper, then cover and cook over medium-high heat.
3. Let the squash cook down until tender and most of the liquid is gone
Stir occasionally and add a splash more water if needed so nothing sticks.
4. Remove the lid and cook until soft and the liquid fully cooks off
Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve warm.
Yellow Squash Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 large yellow squashes thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons bacon grease or olive oil for vegetarian
- 3 cups water
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Add sliced yellow squash, chopped onion, bacon grease (or olive oil) and water to a medium sized pot. Season with salt and pepper and heat over medium high heat and cover with a lid.
- Allow the squash to cook down until water is almost evaporated and squash is completely soft. Feel free to add more water if the squash is still a bit stiff.
- Remove the lid and continue to cook until completely soft and water is completely evaporated.
- Taste and season more if needed and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Cut Properly: My mama liked to slice the squash as evenly as possible so it would cook evenly and cook down at the same rate.
- Jazz it up: Add other spices like paprika or even a little chicken bouillon to give richer flavor if you want. And a finish of butter at the end of cooking is next level.
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Serving Suggestions
- Easy weeknight dinner: Make some fried pork chops and serve along with garlic green beans and Jiffy cornbread.
- Sunday supper: This is perfect with some fried catfish, fried okra, and hush puppies.
- Summer holiday dinner: Make a simple classic pot roast, sour cream mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes and Southern cornbread.
More Southern Vegetable Recipes
- Collard greens
- Southern green beans
- Fried green tomatoes
- Southern fried corn
- Southern potato salad
- Okra and tomatoes
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I am still patiently waiting for my plant to produce some squash. I have a feeling it isn’t going to happen this year. But that won’t stop me from making this sauteed squash. Love the use of bacon grease!!
I so need a plant like you have. And bacon grease is necessary!
Love easy summer sides like this!
Same here. They are my faves!
I feel like yellow squash always take a back seat to zucchini this time of year. But I certainly love it and I’m excited to try this new to me way to prepare it. Yeah! Sounds awesome!
It totally does but yellow squash shines on its own!
I love ANY kind of squash, but especially yellow squash! I’ve yet to try sauteeing it, so this is happening ASAP! Pinned!
Yes you must try sauteeing it!!
I love summer squash (like kinda addicted), and I am most definitely digging this sauteed dish! Tons of flavor + Simple to prepare = I NEEEED. I love that you simply enhanced the squash and let it shine! Plus bacon drippings? Yeah- I’m SO in! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend
Yes can you imagine how easy this is? I can’t believe making this dish was considered “work”.
You can never go wrong with bacon grease!! Love how simple this dish is… perfect for summer!
Agreed. Bacon grease makes the world better!
Simple and beautiful! I can’t tell you how much love this simple dish – maybe it’s the back story 🙂 I never know what to make with summer squash and this looks just perfect. 🙂
Thank you so much hon! I love sharing my roots!
My zucchini is finally starting to produce…yay! I’ve never prepared squash like this before, but sounds delicious!
Wow you are so lucky! I want to grow zucchini like you!
I LOVE summer squash!!!!
Same here girlfriend!
Oh yum! I love yellow squash in the summertime and this recipe is just perfect (and delightfully easy!)!!
So delightfully easy which is why I love it so much!