Smoked Butternut Squash

Move over boring side dishes! It’s time to add some Smoked Butternut Squash to the menu. When everyone tastes that smokey flavor, it will be the talk of the party.

With a little bit of time and very little energy, you can be chowing down on this incredible dish.

I get it…if you haven’t tried butternut squash before, you may be a little bit hesitant! I was right there with you and didn’t think in a million years I would enjoy it. Guess what…it’s awesome!

My wife has been making variations of squash recipes for years, and I have become accustomed to the flavor. BUT, I wanted to try something unique and different and put my own distinctive spin on it. That’s when Smoked Butternut Squash was born. So, get out your grill or smoker, and let’s get going on your new favorite side dish.

🍠 Ingredients

Butternut Squash – Picking a good squash is key. Look for one that is mostly solid color. It should be beige and not have any bruising or deep cuts. Additionally, pick it up and make sure it seems heavy for its size.

Butter – When you score the butternut squash, it will allow all the melted butter to seep inside. Trust me here; you WANT this to happen. Delicious!

Za’atar – Once you start using Za’atar, you’ll want to sprinkle it on everything. The dynamic flavors are perfect for any Mediterranean dish. You’ll get hints of oregano, thyme, sesame seeds, dried dill, sumac, and more.

🔪 Preparation

Prepping the Smoker:

Really there is very little prep work, and it is pretty much smooth sailing. Time to get busy so you can bite into this buttery squash recipe:

Step One: Prepare your grill or smoker by heating it to 250 degrees. You will be using indirect heat for this recipe.

📌 NOTE: If using a Big Green Egg or another Kamado grill, I recommend using the plate setter. It will give you incredible results.

Step Two: Before you add the squash to the grill or smoker, toss in a few pieces of apple wood to the coals. You don’t need a lot because a little bit goes a long way.

📌 NOTE: The wood chips should be added to a smoking box if you are using a gas grill.

Prepping the Butternut Squash:

Step One: Begin by cutting the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out all of the seeds. Get those stringy pieces out as well. I find it’s easiest to use a spoon.

Step Two: Take a sharp knife and lightly score the surface of the squash. This will allow the butter to sink in and give you lots of flavors. Use a basting brush or a spoon to add the melted butter onto the squash.

Step Three: Sprinkle the butternut squash with the Za’atar. If you don’t have this seasoning, use your favorite herb mix.

🔥 Smoking Instructions

Step One: Place the two halves of squash onto the hot grill. You will notice a light smoke that comes from the apple wood. If you see the smoke is billowing out, move the wood off to the side or let it burn down a bit.

📌 NOTE: Letting the grill smoke too much will cause the butternut squash to develop an overly acrid taste.

Step Two: Allow the squash to smoke for around one hour. When it’s ready, you should be able to take a fork and pierce it easily.

Step Three: Scoop out the squash and leave the skin on the plate. The squash will scoop out easily and is very tender.

📌 Expert Tips

Any grill or smoker will work just fine. As long as you don’t let it get too smoky, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Swap out the apple wood for another variety if you want. I would steer clear of hickory or even mesquite because they have such an overpowering flavor. Opt for a more subtle flavor like pecan or oak instead. If you are new to smoking, check out the Smoking Cheat Sheet as a great guide to wood choices.

Add some salt and pepper to the smoked butternut squash right before serving. It probably won’t need much, so just add a dash or two.

If melted butter isn’t your thing, exchange it for olive oil.

👨‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

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