The Smart, Chef-Approved Butternut Squash Trick You Need To Know About

Butternut squash is one of fall's most versatile vegetables, showing up in everything from creamy soups to roasted side dishes, but if you've ever struggled to cut one in half, you're not alone. Its dense flesh and tough outer skin make it one of the most difficult vegetables to handle safely in the kitchen, and when knives slip, accidents can happen.

That's why I was intrigued when I saw a knife hack online that claimed to make cutting butternut squash easier. I decided to try the trick for myself and I also reached out to Chef Sara Bradley , a finalist on Top Chef and chef-owner of Freight House in Paducah, KY, to get her take on this trick.

She had never seen the technique before, so she tried it herself in her restaurant kitchen. Then, curious, she tested two additional methods and gave me her honest thoughts. If you're wondering how to cut butternut squashfor all your fall dishes, here's what you need to know.

Related: How to Make Butternut Squash Soup 10x Better, According to My Chef-Husband

😋😋  SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter . 🍳🍔

The Best Way to Cut Butternut Squash, According to a Chef

After trying three different butternut squash-cutting methods, Bradley shared that the method she and her team use in the restaurant—the towel method—was the winner. Professional chefs almost always have a towel handy, and this trick makes squash prep surprisingly easy.

To do it, wrap the end of the knife blade with a folded kitchen towel, protecting your hand while giving you more grip and leverage. With the towel in place, you can press down on the knife safely and steadily, letting it glide through the squash without slipping.

Bradley said this was the easiest and fastest of all the techniques she tried.

"In a professional kitchen, we need the highest yield, and quickly," she tells Parade. "This method gives you the most control."

Related: The Clever Paper Towel Trick We Wish We'd Known About Sooner

Two Other Butternut Squash-Cutting Methods to Try

And how did the other two methods fare in Bradley's test? Each had its pros and cons. Here's what you need to know if you'd like to try them.

1. Rock It

The hack, known as the rocking method, was the trick that sent me down this vegetable prepping rabbit hole. It relies on using the knife blade as a lever. Instead of trying to slice straight down through the squash in one motion, you place the knife on the squash about an inch or two below the stem, holding the bulb end with your other hand (fingers safely away from the blade). Then, you rock the squash and the knife back and forth, letting friction gradually work the knife deeper into the dense flesh.

This method does work, but it isn't perfect.

"It doesn't always yield a perfectly even slice," chef Bradley explains.

I found the same when I tried it. It did eventually split the squash, but it left a rough cut and required more pressure than I expected. The technique also worked on watermelon, which was a fun surprise, but it's not the smoothest or safest way to tackle squash.

Related: The Genius Cheese Trick We Wish We'd Known About Sooner

2. Use a Rolling Pin

Chef Bradley also tested the rolling pin method, which I hadn't seen before. This adds a little more power and precision than the rocking method.

To do it, place your knife on the squash and press down to make a shallow incision. Then, use a rolling pin to gently tap the spine of the knife blade, driving it through the tough skin and flesh without relying on brute wrist strength.

This approach turned out to be both safer and more efficient than rocking.

"This one was the safest," Bradley said, noting that the rolling pin gives you stability and control, helping the knife move cleanly through the squash. It reduces strain on your wrists and lowers the risk of the knife slipping.

Related: The Genius Recipe That Has Us Rushing Out to Buy Butternut Squash

The Sharpest Butternut Squash Tip of All

Bradley emphasized that the most important factor isn't the trick you use. Rather, it's the sharpness of your knife.

A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one because it requires extra pressure, which increases the risk of slipping. A sharp, heavy-duty chef's knife is always your best tool for tackling tough vegetables like butternut squash.

Before trying any of these methods, Bradley noted that she and her team would peel the squash first. Once the tough skin was removed, the knife slid right through with ease. The skin provides most of the resistance, so removing it ahead of time can be another workaround if peeling doesn't feel too cumbersome.

Cutting butternut squash may never be effortless, but with a few smart tricks, it doesn't have to feel impossible or unsafe. The rocking method gets the job done in a pinch, but it's not the cleanest. The rolling pin method is great for home cooks who want extra stability, and the towel method is a professional favorite for its speed and control.

No matter which hack you try, keep your knives sharp and your hands safe. With the right tools and techniques, you can conquer squash prep with confidence and get on to the fun part—cooking and eating!

Up Next:

Related: The 12 Best Things to Buy at the Costco Bakery, According to a Superfan

Source:

•  Chef Sara Bradley , Chef/owner of  Freight House  in Paducah, Kentucky;  Top Chef  contestant seasons 16 and 20;  Tournament of Champions  6 runner-up;  Chopped  grand champion; first-ever  Chopped  legend

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.