Smoked Acorn Squash {Butter Basted Bliss!}

We tried cooking acorn squash on the smoker last night and it turned out extraordinarily amazing.  Smoking squash is incredibly easy and they look almost as great as they taste.

Smoked Acorn Squash

These were so good that I am going to cook another batch tonight.

Prepare the Acorn Squash

I telling you, this is bonehead easy.

Start by slicing the squash in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

sliced acorn squash

Spray the inside of the squash with some Pam or coat in olive oil.  It doesn’t really matter what type of oil you use as all we need it to do is help our dry rub adhere.

Season the squash with a dry rub (or just use salt and pepper) and place a tablespoon of butter in the middle of the squash.  The rub I used was:

  • 1 tbls smoked paprika
  • 1 tbls turbinado sugar
  • 1 tbls chili powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Squash seasoned with bbq rub and butter

If you want to add even more flavors then you could always add some stuffing like my friend did with her Tex Mex Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe!

Smoke the Squash

I smoked the squash on my Z Grills pellet grill with hickory pellets using a two step process but the setup will be the same for your Traeger or Pit Boss..

The squash were cooked at 225F for 30 minutes to lay down a smoke flavor profile.  After 30 minutes I basted the edges of the squash with the melted butter in the center.

Acorn squash on the smoker

After the squash were basted I raised the temperature on the smoker to 325F and let the squash cook for 45 more minutes.

The squash are done when you can slide a skewer through with no resistance.  The total cook time was under 90 minutes making this one of my favorite quick smoker recipes!

Smoked Squash on a Platter

Seriously, these were amazing.

You could put these in front of any carnivore and they would be delighted.

Smoked Acorn Squash

Smoked Acorn Squash {Butter Basted!}

Acorn squash is halved, cleaned and seasoned before being smoked until tender.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Calories 125 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 2 tbls butter
  • 1 tbls smoked paprika
  • 1 tbls turbinado sugar
  • 1 tbls chili powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Cooking oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
  • Combine the dry ingredients to make a rub and mix thoroughly.
  • Spray the inside of the squash with Pam (or your favorite cooking oil)
  • Season the inside of the squash with the dry rub.
  • Place one tablespoon of butter into the middle of each squash half.
  • Smoke the squash at 225F for 30 minutes.
  • Baste the sides of the squash with the melted butter in the center.
  • Raise the temperature of the smoker to 325F and cook for another 45 minutes or until the squash is probe tender.

Notes

These smoked squash are savory, creamy, filling and completely satisfying. You can make these as a side dish with some grilled shrimp or fish for an incredibly healthy and easy weeknight meal.
Keyword Smoked Acorn Squash