Garlic-Butter Butternut Squash Steaks

• Scoring the squash helps it roast faster and soak up the garlic-butter mixture. 
• Butternut squash provides vitamin A to support healthy eyes and immunity. 
• Fried sage is an easy garnish that will make these steaks look impressive. 

When you’re looking for a recipe to swap steak night with a vegetarian option, Garlic Butter Butternut Squash Steaks have got you covered. Antioxidant-rich butternut squash is “beefy” enough to be filling and satisfying, and becomes deliciously caramelized with roasting. The garlic butter adds a steakhouse feel to this dish. Keep reading for our expert tips, including ingredient substitutions.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• You can substitute butternut squash with honeynut squash. And while we really like the flavor of the sage in this recipe, rosemary, oregano or thyme will also go well with the squash.
• Scoring the steaks allows them to cook more quickly and evenly, and it helps the butter sauce to seep into the nooks and crannies for maximum flavor.
• To add a sweet citrus flavor, you can incorporate a splash of orange juice into the brown butter mixture.
• Butternut squash is done cooking when it is fork-tender and golden brown, with some charred bits at the edges to enhance its delicious, smoky flavor.

Nutrition Notes

• Butternut squash is loaded with vitamins A and C for healthy eyes and immunity. The potassium in butternut squash will support your blood pressure, and the fiber will help fill you up and keep things moving through—and out—your gut. Butternut squash does not have much protein, so serve it with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a bean salad—or with a lean cut of actual steak. 
• Garlic is perhaps best known for its ability to help lower cholesterol. But this relative of onions (they’re in the same family of plants) is also associated with reducing blood pressure and balancing blood sugar. Regularly eating garlic may also support your immune system and improve your gut health.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.