What Meat Goes with Acorn Squash? (Top 10 Types of Meat)

There are plenty of options for meat to serve with acorn squash.

You can use poultry, pork, beef or fish. It all depends on your personal preference and what you have available in your kitchen.

Some people like to use the same type of meat that they used when cooking their roasted squash (such as chicken) because they think it helps bring out similar flavors from both dishes.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What meat goes with acorn squash?” — you’re in the right place.

This article is going to tell you all that and more.

Make sure you keep reading, because in just a moment, you’ll understand everything.

What Meat Goes with Acorn Squash? (Top 10 Types of Meat)

I searched the web for the best types of meat that go well with acorn squash.

I found a few results, but none of them were authoritative or very helpful.

So I decided to create my own list:

1. Bacon

When it comes to meat, bacon is the obvious choice. When you want a delicious dinner with acorn squash, you need bacon!

Bacon is a pork product that’s typically cured and smoked using naturally occurring salts and sugars.

Bacon is often fried or baked before eating, and can be used in many different dishes.

The most common way to eat bacon is with eggs at breakfast. However, you can also use it in sandwiches, salads, soups, chowders, and other types of food.

If you’re looking for a good pairing with your acorn squash dinner, try some bacon! It’s tasty and very versatile!

You can get it from almost any grocery store or butcher shop near you.

You’ll find that most people prefer bacon over ham when it comes to cooking acorn squash because of its flavor profile.

2. Ham

Acorn squash is one of the most popular types of squash, and it makes a great side dish. There are so many different ways to prepare acorn squash, but some pairings work better than others.

The best way to cook acorn squash is by baking it in the oven, but you can also steam it or microwave it.

Meat goes really well with acorn squash because it adds more protein and ensures that you feel full for longer.

You can use any type of meat you like, but we have found that ham goes particularly well with this tasty vegetable.

The best way to cook ham is in the oven, but you can grill or fry it as well. Just make sure that you’re using lean ham, which has less fat and fewer calories than regular ham.

3. Beef

Beef is an obvious choice for a hearty, heavy squash like acorn squash.

It’s also the most versatile option on this list, as beef can be prepared in many different ways: including stewed, roasted, grilled and even fried.

While you can use any cut of beef you like, try to choose one that will stand up well to being cooked alongside the squash.

Roasts and steaks work well, but so do stewing cuts like chuck or brisket if you’re planning on braising them together.

As an added bonus, acorn squash is delicious with just about every spice, which makes it easy to get creative with your seasoning.

For example, Middle Eastern spices like cumin and coriander pair wonderfully with both beef and squash.

4. Venison

If you’re looking for something new to try with your favorite acorn squash recipe, consider pairing it with venison!

The meat has a rich flavor that pairs well with earthy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg or sweet herbs like rosemary and thyme.

5. Turkey

Turkey is a popular choice for an acorn squash dinner. Both foods are mild in flavor, and turkey is a nice complement to the squash.

The best way to cook acorn squash with turkey is to roast the turkey and then use the drippings to sautee the squash.

This will give you a nice combination of flavors.

6. Fish (salmon, tuna, cod, etc.)

Salmon, tuna and cod are just a few types of fish that work well with acorn squash.

See Also: 20 Tasty Sauces for Cod I Can’t Resist

Depending on the type of fish you use, you can make the dish very simple or extremely complex.

If you want to keep it simple, try baking the squash first and then adding slices of your favorite fish towards the end of the cooking time.

You can also add spices or herbs to enhance the flavor.

To make a more complex recipe, you can stuff your acorn squash with a medley of spices and seafood.

For example, if you have some leftover lobster meat and scallops, sauté them with garlic, onions and tomato paste (or diced tomatoes).

Add this mixture to your partially baked squash and return it to the oven until fully cooked.

7. Chicken

It’s a beautiful autumn day, and you’ve just pulled a fresh acorn squash out of the garden. The only question is: what meat goes with acorn squash?

Well, acorn squash and chicken are a natural pair! The sweet, nutty flavor of acorn squash pairs perfectly with the savory flavor of chicken.

Chicken lends itself to a variety of flavors and cooking techniques. A common preparation style is to braise chicken in acorn squash with aromatics such as onions and garlic.

The chicken can be seasoned with salt, pepper, nutmeg, lemon juice and thyme. If you want to add a little heat, try spicing the chicken with paprika or cayenne pepper.

8. Lamb

The flavor of lamb and its rich, gamey taste makes it an excellent choice for cooking with a variety of vegetables like acorn squash.

The meat has a unique sweet-salty taste that is perfect for bringing out the flavor of the squash.

The leg is one of the better cuts of lamb to use when cooking acorn squash because it is easy to work with and fairly tender.

If you want to use a different cut of lamb and require more tenderness, be sure to marinate it before cooking.

9. Shrimp

This protein-rich seafood is an excellent option for those who are watching their diet.

Compared to other meat, shrimp has fewer calories and fat content, which makes it a healthier alternative to red meat and pork.

When used in cooking, it adds texture and flavor to dishes, making them more flavorful and appetizing.

You can cook acorn squash with shrimp by roasting them together in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

To maintain its moisture, you can also wrap the squash in foil before placing on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or any greaseproof material).

10. Duck

Duck is one of those meats that is rich, succulent and bold in its flavors. The strong seasoning of duck meat will be able to stand up to the sweet taste of acorn squash just fine.

It’s best to take the duck breast, season it generously and then grill it.

The smoky flavor that comes from grilling will only intensify the earthy flavor of the duck.

When you serve the duck breast with your acorn squash, you can either make a sauce from the juices that are left over on your roasting pan or you can make a fruit-based glaze for your duck breast.

Either way, you’ll have a wonderful main course for your meal that is perfectly balanced against the acorn squash.

3 Tips For Serving Meat With Acorn Squash

Delicious, easy to prepare, and so versatile it can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, squash is a staple of the fall table.

And of all of the member of the squash family, acorn squash may be one of our favorites.

The ridges make this gourd easy to cut and scoop out after cooking, and its mild flavor makes it an ideal base for sweet or savory toppings.

Here are three tips for serving meat with acorn squash:

1. Make sure Your Meat Is Well-Seasoned

This means using salt and pepper liberally, and maybe even marinating your meat for a few hours before you plan to cook it.

This will ensure that the meat will be tasty when paired with acorn squash, as squash can be somewhat bland on its own.

2. Add Cheese!

Cheese, especially parmesan, goes great with acorn squash, which is why many recipes for the vegetable include generous helpings of the dairy product.

You can sprinkle some parmesan over the top of your dish or mix it in with the other ingredients.

3. Make Sure to Cook Both Ingredients Properly

You want your meat to be cooked all the way through (this is especially important if you are serving chicken) while also having some tenderness and juiciness to it.

And you want your squash to be cooked just enough so that it isn’t hard or mushy but soft enough to break apart easily with a fork.