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Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is velvety and gently sweet, with caramelized squash and carrots balanced by a hint of cider vinegar and warmth from cayenne. Brown-butter sage and a swirl of crème fraîche add nutty depth and luxurious creaminess. Serve it as a cozy starter for fall dinners or a comforting main with crusty bread on chilly evenings.

  • Prep25 mins
  • Cook1 hr 55 mins
  • Serves6
  • DifficultyMedium
Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
  1. 1

    Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  2. 2

    Start the soup: Drizzle olive oil into a large roasting pan. Add the onion, carrots, garlic cloves, and a big pinch of salt; toss until the vegetables are coated in oil. Set the squash halves on top of the chopped vegetables with the cut sides facing up. Sprinkle the squash with additional salt.

  3. 3

    Roast in the preheated oven until the squash is tender and easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let the vegetables cool slightly.

  4. 4

    While the vegetables cool, make the brown butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When the butter foams and begins turning golden brown, reduce the heat to low. When it changes from golden to a light, nutty brown, remove from the heat and immediately stir in the sage leaves.

  5. 5

    Finish the soup: Scoop out the squash flesh and place it into a large stockpot with the remaining roasted vegetables. Stir in the chicken broth, the brown butter mixture, and the maple syrup. Set the pot over high heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently to blend the flavors, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the heat.

  6. 6

    Blend with an immersion blender until very smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Pass the mixture through a strainer to remove any remaining fibrous bits.

  7. 7

    If the soup seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth. Stir in the cider vinegar, a pinch of salt if needed, and the cayenne pepper. Garnish each serving with a dollop of crème fraîche and chopped chives.

About This Recipe

Chef John's Maple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is an American soup recipe made with 12 ingredients. It takes about 2 hrs 20 mins, serves 6, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Apple Cider Vinegar, Butternut Squash, Cayenne Pepper, and Chicken Broth. Each serving provides about 278.16 kcal, and is a good source of fiber.

Recipe Questions

What is Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup?
It is an American soup recipe made with 12 ingredients, usually served for soup.
What is Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup made of?
The main ingredients are Apple Cider Vinegar, Butternut Squash, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Broth, Crème Fraîche. The full list of 12 is above.
What goes well with Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup?
Explore these American side-dish recipes.
How long does it take to make Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup?
About 2 hrs 20 mins in total: 25 mins to prepare and 1 hr 55 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 278.16 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Chef John's Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash Soup easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 12 ingredients and 7 steps.

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