Silky, cozy, and a little dangerous—in the best way. Chipotle smoke + cinnamon warmth turn classic squash soup into a full-on fall flex.
Ready in: ~1 hour 30 minutes
Serves: 8
Why it slaps
SMOKESHOW’s chipotle + cinnamon profile gives sweet squash real backbone—smoky depth, gentle heat, and a round, aromatic finish. It tastes like a chef spent all day on it (you didn’t).
Ingredients
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6 lb whole butternut squash
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2 Tbsp olive oil
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1 cup white onion, rough-chopped
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1 cup leek or green onion, cleaned & rough-chopped
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¼ cup SmokeSho (SMOKESHOW) spice rub
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2 quarts chicken stock or broth (use veg stock to keep it vegetarian)
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1 pint heavy whipping cream
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Kosher salt, to taste (optional)
Equipment
Rimmed sheet pans, foil, large stockpot (at least 6–8 qt), blender or immersion blender, ladle.
Directions
Roast the Squash
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Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
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Halve squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds (reserve for garnish).
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Pan prep: Place halves cut-side down on sheet pans. Add ½ inch water to each pan and cover with foil.
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Bake ~45 minutes until completely tender.
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Rest 20 minutes on the tray. Scoop the flesh into a bowl; discard skins.
Build the Soup
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Aromatics: In a large stockpot over medium heat, warm 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add onions + leeks and ¼ cup SmokeSho. Cook 3–4 minutes, stirring, until translucent and lightly golden.
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Simmer: Add stock and the roasted squash. Reduce to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes to meld.
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Creamy finish: Stir in the heavy cream and bring just to a gentle simmer.
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Blend: Remove from heat. Purée very smooth with an immersion blender (or carefully in batches in a countertop blender).
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Adjust & serve: Taste and season with salt if needed. If too thick, loosen with stock; if too thin, simmer a few minutes. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish.
Pro Tips
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Ultra-silky: For restaurant-level texture, pass the blended soup through a fine mesh strainer.
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Heat control: For a spicier bowl, finish with a pinch more SmokeSho after blending.
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Vegetarian swap: Use vegetable stock; the rest stays the same.
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Make-ahead: Flavors deepen overnight—ideal for parties and holidays.
Garnish: Toasted Squash Seeds (Do Not Toss!)
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Rinse seeds well; pat dry.
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Toss with 1–2 tsp olive oil + a pinch of SmokeSho.
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Toast on a sheet pan at 400°F for 7–10 minutes until golden and crisp.
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Sprinkle on soup for crunch.
Bonus: A spoon of sour cream (or yogurt) on each bowl adds cool tang and texture.
What to serve with it
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Grilled cheese with sharp cheddar + apple slices
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Maple-glazed bacon crumbles on top (we see you)
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Simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
Variations
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Coconut Cream & Lime: Swap heavy cream for 1 can full-fat coconut milk; finish with lime juice and cilantro.
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Brown-Butter Finish: Stir in 2–3 Tbsp brown butter after blending for nutty depth.
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Roast-Only Method: Skip the water/foil: oil the cut sides, roast cut-side up 45–60 min until caramelized; soup will be slightly sweeter and deeper.
Storage
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Fridge: 4–5 days in airtight containers.
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Freezer: Up to 3 months (cool completely first).
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Reheat: Low and slow on the stovetop; thin with stock as needed.
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