Name: Sauteed Yellow Squash Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
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

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Super easy and seriously flavorful, this sauteed yellow squash recipe is my favorite side dish and one of the best yellow squash recipes you’ll ever taste!

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Two colorful bowls of sauteed yellow squash with a sliced and whole yellow squash next to the bowls

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Table of Contents

The Perks and Highlights of my Favorite Yellow Squash Recipe

I love sharing recipes that I truly grew up on. This yellow squash recipe is one of them. In the summers of my youth, I remember the delight of seeing squash make it into my mother’s shopping cart at the grocery store.

Cuisine Inspiration: Southern Comfort
Primary Cooking Method: Sautéing
Dietary Info: Vegetarian (with an option for our bacon lovers!)
Key Flavor: Savory with a hint of sweetness
Skill Level: Easy Peasy

Sweet Highlights:

Versatility Queen: Whether you’re a meat lover or a veggie enthusiast, this dish caters to all. Swap bacon grease for olive oil, and you’ve got yourself a vegetarian delight!
Quick and Easy: No need to fuss or fret.
Flavor Town: The combination of sweet yellow squash, savory onion, and your choice of fat makes for a delicious dance of flavors on your palate.
Southern Charm: Drawing inspiration from Southern kitchens, this dish brings warmth, comfort, and a touch of nostalgia to the table.
Seasonal Flexibility: While yellow squash is a summer veggie, this recipe gives you the tools to bring a taste of summer to your kitchen year-round.

Overhead shot of two colorful bowls of sauteed yellow squash with a sliced and whole yellow squash next to the bowls

Ingredients

Yellow Squash: These sunny beauties are the star of the show, bringing a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a touch of summer to your plate. Slice ’em thin to let them soak up all the goodness from the other ingredients.
Onion: This versatile veggie adds a depth of flavor that’s undeniable. Chop it up and watch it work its magic, turning sweet and savory as it cooks.
Bacon Grease/Olive Oil: Here’s where you can play with flavor! Bacon grease adds a smoky, indulgent twist, while olive oil keeps it light and vegetarian-friendly. Your kitchen, your rules!
Water: Just a splash! It’s all about creating the perfect sautéed texture without losing any of that veggie goodness.
Salt and Pepper: The dynamic duo, these seasoning staples are here to elevate your squash game.

How to Cook Yellow Squash

My mother would cut the yellow squash into slices, chop up some onion and add it to a pot with water, bacon grease, salt and pepper. It would cook down until soft and would finally become the most incredible side dish.

When I got older, I started watching her make it more and more. One day, I asked for the recipe and made it myself. It was unbelievably simple to make. And after 30 minutes of cooking down the water, it all blends together with so much flavor. I adore it! It has to be one of the best yellow squash recipes ever invented!!

Close up of one bowl of sauteed yellow squash with another bowl of it in the background along with a whole yellow squash

How to Serve

This recipe is great to serve with classic southern dishes like fried pork chops or fried catfish along with collard greens, candied yams and some cornbread muffins.

How to Store

Store the cooked yellow squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, simply warm it up in a skillet over medium heat until it’s heated through, or use the microwave for a quick option.

Other Squash Recipes

Try some of my other yellow squash recipes including this unforgettable Baked Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash and the super tasty Light Shrimp Scampi with Spaghetti Squash!!