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How to make pumpkin puree from scratch to use in your favorite pumpkin recipes, 2 ways! In the oven or in the Instant Pot. You can click the “jump to recipe” button below or watch my quick video showing you how to make it!
To make pumpkin puree you only need one ingredient. That’s right, fresh pumpkins. Not just any pumpkins though. You’ll want to use the small baking pumpkins. Sometimes the grocery store will have them labeled as “sugar pumpkins” or “pie pumpkins“. They taste better than the Jack-O-Lantern varieties and the texture is also MUCH better.
If you find a good sale on sugar pumpkins, stock up! You can make your puree ahead of time and freeze it. Homemade pumpkin puree freezes very well!
How to Make Pumpkin Puree in The Oven!
You are going to need 90 minutes for roasting time, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
That’s not so bad considering it will make your house smell amazing. Plus if there is a chill in the air, baking your pumpkins will cozy up your home nicely!
When you’re ready to get cooking your pumpkins, the first thing you want to do is give it a good wash. I do mean “wash”. Use soap and hot water just like you would wash your hands.
Whatever is on the outside of your pumpkin when you cut it will go right into the pulp!
Next, you need to break off the stem. Don’t try to cut through the stem! It is way too tough and we don’t want any injuries.
At this point you have two choices, you can either cook it whole or cut it in half and then roast it.
Cooking the pumpkin whole is the easiest way! However, if you want to save those seeds for growing or eating you will have to cut the pumpkin.
For whole pumpkin cooking, prick holes in the outside of the pumpkin with the tines of a sturdy fork.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree And Save The Pumpkin Seeds,
choose a good chopping knife and make sure it is good and sharp before cutting into your pumpkins.
Hold your pumpkin firmly and plunge the knife into the top of the pumpkin near the stem and push down to the bottom.
You’ll have to do some rotating and wiggling to get all the way through the pumpkin. However, it’s pretty easy since they’re fairly small pumpkins.
Next, scoop out the seeds.
You can toss them out if you like but why? Dry them out and plant yourself a little pumpkin patch next spring! Or roast them up for a super healthy and tasty snack!
Place your pumpkins, whole, or cut on a baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree (F) oven for 90 minutes until soft.
When the pumpkins have cooled, cut them in half, scoop out and discard the seeds and strings. Now scoop out that yummy pumpkin pulp! Put the pulp into a food processor, blender or you can use a hand mixer.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree in The Instant Pot!
First things first, just like with the oven method, wash your pumpkin.
When using the Instant Pot method you don’t have to prick holes in the pumpkin. However, you do have to break off the stem.
Depending on the size of your Instant Pot and the size of your pumpkin you might not be able to use the trivet. Which by the way is totally fine!
I use a 6 quart Instant Pot and no trivet. You want to make sure that the Instant Pot lid can close securely.
Add one cup of water to the Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 13 minutes and allow a full natural release of the pressure.
Done!
Easy right?!
Need pumpkin pie spice? Check out my DIY recipe below!
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
How to Make Pumpkin Puree in The Oven!
Ingredients
- 1 "sugar pumpkin" or "pie pumpkin"
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Wash and dry your pumpkin. Break off the stem. Decide if you want to keep the seeds.
- If you want to keep the seeds, cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and strings. If you don't want to keep the seeds move on to the next step.
- Prick holes around the outside of the pumpkin with the tines of a sturdy fork.
- Place pumpkin on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 1 1/2 hours.
- Allow your pumpkin to cool until you're able to handle it. Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and strings.
- Blend pumpkin in a blender or food processor until smooth.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree in The Instant Pot!
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 "sugar pumpkin" or "pie pumpkin"
Instructions
- Wash your pumpkin with soap and water.
- Place your pumpkin in the Instant Pot without the trivet. Pour in 1 cup of cold water.
- Cook on high pressure for 13 minutes.
- Allow a full natural release of the pressure.
- When the pressure has fully released, turn the pressure valve to "venting". Remove the lid. Use two spatulas to remove the pumpkin from the Instant Pot.
- Allow the pumpkin to cool until you can handle it. Cut in half and scoop out the seeds and strings.
- Scoop out the pulp and blend in a blender or food processor until smooth.
PIN IT FOR LATER! ♥
Which way do you like best? The oven or the Instant Pot?
Leigh Ann ♥
Leigh Ann
Leigh Ann Schooley is the owner and founder of Making My Abode, a blog dedicated to helping homemakers live well and simply on one income. She is a believer, wife, and mother of three with more than sixteen years of homemaking experience. Leigh Ann is the recipient of the Wife of The Year award eighteen years running. She has also won the Mother of The Year award every year for the past sixteen years. She is a Colorado native raised by her dad who taught her almost everything she knows. Leigh Ann lives with her husband and family in Colorado.
