If you’ve ever been burned by Trader Joe’s soups before (looking at you, Pumpkin Bisque in the jar), you might hesitate before grabbing another orange-colored “bisque.” But let me put your mind at ease — this Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque from the refrigerated section is a completely different story. It’s everything that jarred soup wanted to be: warm, cozy, and actually savory.
At $4.79 for 20 ounces, it’s a seasonal fall comfort food that delivers more Thanksgiving flavor than dessert-in-a-bowl sweetness.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10)
Price: $4.79 / 20 oz
Category: Refrigerated Soups
Best For: Quick fall lunches, Thanksgiving starters, cozy weeknight dinners
Skip If: You want heavy creaminess or something truly rich and decadent (but you can fix it with your own cream)
Real talk: This is what happens when Trader Joe’s learns from their past pumpkin soup mistakes. Sweetness is still there you can’t completely escape it with pumpkin and butternut squash , but it’s subtle and balanced by real savory depth.
Where to Find It (And Why It’s Different)
Unlike its overly sweet, shelf-stable cousin, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque lives in the fridge section next to the salads and soups. It’s a fresh, ready-to-heat product that you can microwave right in its container or pour into a pot and warm gently on the stove.
It’s vegetarian (thanks to butter instead of cream), but not vegan or dairy-free. The ingredient list is refreshingly short, pumpkin purée, butternut squash, onions, carrots, brown butter, and sage and that’s exactly what it tastes like: clean, simple, and seasonal.
The Flavor Breakdown: Sweetness in the Background, Savory Up Front
Here’s the magic: even though the nutrition panel lists 8 grams of sugar (only 4 added), the sweetness stays in the background. You mostly taste the savory notes — sage, nutmeg, garlic, and a hint of brown butter that rounds it all out.
The onion and carrot don’t stand out individually, but they add depth and a slightly earthy foundation to balance all that squashy sweetness. It’s the difference between “Thanksgiving dinner” and “liquid pie,” and this time Trader Joe’s got it right.
If you’ve ever made your own roasted pumpkin soup from scratch, this actually tastes pretty close. It has that home-cooked balance of warmth and spice — minus the chopping and blender cleanup.
Texture and Technique: Smooth but Missing the “Bisque” Creaminess
Here’s my one real gripe: Trader Joe’s calls this a bisque, but technically, traditional bisque uses cream — not just butter. That missing creaminess shows. The texture is smooth and silky, but not quite as rich or velvety as you’d expect from a true bisque.
Pro tip: Add a dollop of sour cream, crème fraîche, or even a splash of heavy cream before serving. It completely transforms the texture and gives you that restaurant-quality finish that Trader Joe’s stopped just short of.
The Quick and Cozy Factor
This is one of those grab-and-go Trader Joe’s meals that make you feel like you’ve actually cooked. Heat it in the microwave at work, or warm it gently on the stove for a more “homemade” vibe. The packaging even makes it easy to reheat in the container if you’re in full weekday survival mode.
Pair it with:
- A slice of Trader Joe’s Organic Garlic Bread or their Cheesy Herby Buttermilk Biscuits.
- A fall salad or even just a handful of croutons and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.
Dietary Detective Work (Because Everyone’s Got Preferences)
✅ Vegetarian (thanks to butter, not chicken stock)
⚠️ Contains Dairy (so not vegan)
✅ Likely Gluten-Free (no gluten ingredients listed, but not labeled as such)
❌ Not Kosher
✅ No artificial flavors or preservatives
Busy parent translation: You can serve this to almost anyone except your vegan teenager or lactose-intolerant relative.
How It Compares to Other Trader Joe’s Soups
Let’s just say this one redeems the pumpkin-soup lineup.
- Versus Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bisque (jarred): That one tastes like melted pumpkin pie filling. This one tastes like dinner.
- Versus Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bisque with Corn and Spices (discontinued): Less sugary, smoother, and better balanced.
- Versus Trader Joe’s Thai Style Red Curry Soup: This one’s milder and creamier more “Thanksgiving cozy” than “spicy weeknight adventure.”
Serving Ideas: How to Make It Shine
You can absolutely serve this as-is, but here are a few ways to make it look (and taste) fancy:
- Swirl in a spoonful of sour cream or coconut cream before serving.
- Top with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of olive oil, and cracked black pepper.
- Serve in small cups as an appetizer for Thanksgiving — no one will know it’s store-bought.
- Add a splash of cream and a few croutons for extra richness.
Final Verdict: Trader Joe’s Gets It Right (Finally)
This Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque is everything the original jarred pumpkin bisque should have been. It’s smooth, savory, perfectly spiced, and balanced enough to actually eat as a meal instead of dessert.
Would I change anything? Sure a touch of cream would give it the bisque level richness it deserves. But for $4.79, a quick heat up, and a flavor that feels like fall in a bowl, this is an easy buy. Serves two easily as a side dish.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10)
Perfect For: Fall dinner parties, Thanksgiving starters, or anyone who wants cozy autumn soup without the sugar overload.
Bottom line: When Trader Joe’s gets soup right, it’s magic and this one’s worth stocking up on before it disappears from the shelves.
Leave feedback about this