Learn how to make pumpkin puree from scratch, using a fresh, whole pumpkin. When you discover the smooth creamy taste of fresh homemade pumpkin puree, you will never want to use canned pumpkin again.
If you love pumpkin like I do, you know that pumpkin puree is an important ingredient in many pumpkin recipes, such as Pumpkin Soup. If you grow your own pumpkin or you buy fresh pumpkin from your local farmers market, you should learn how to make pumpkin puree from scratch. You will love it.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree in 4 Steps
- Prepare the pumpkin.
- Cook the pumpkin.
- Scrape the pumpkin flesh off the skin.
- Blend the cooked pumpkin until you get a smooth, creamy puree.
There are many reasons to cook pumpkin on your own — most importantly — to know exactly what you are eating and how fresh that pumpkin is.
Always prepare the pumpkin before making pumpkin puree, by scrubbing it, cutting it open, and removing the seeds.
Decide how to cook the pumpkin from several cooking methods. The cooked pumpkin must be soft and well-done to make a smooth puree. I believe the best way to cook pumpkin for pumpkin puree is to pressure cook the pumpkin.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Step 1: Prepare the Pumpkin
- Scrub the pumpkin with water and a scrub brush. Don’t forget this important food safety step.
- Dry the pumpkin so it doesn’t slip when you try to cut it.
- Cut the stem off the top and cut the pumpkin in half.
- Remove the seeds (save to roast pumpkin seeds) and the fibrous strings (throw those away).
- Cut the pumpkin into quarters for quicker cooking.
Step 2: Cook the Pumpkin
The best way to cook the pumpkin for puree is to pressure cook the pumpkin, preferably with an electric pressure cooker. This quick and cooking method leaves the pumpkin flesh very soft and well done.
The Fagor Lux™ Multi-Cooker is my favorite electric pressure cooker. It is similar to the Instant Pot, but performs much better. See my review of the Fagor Lux™ Multi-Cooker to see all of its functions.
Roast the pumpkin or bake the pumpkin if you do not have a pressure cooker.
Step 3: Scrape the Cooked Pumpkin off the Skin
- After the pumpkin is cooked, cool it for at least 10 minutes or until it is easy to handle.
- When it is cool enough to not burn your fingers, use a hefty spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the cooked pumpkin flesh off the skin. Pumpkin is a squash, so the texture and consistency will be the same as a squash – a little thick and stringy.
- Discard the skin.
Step 4: Blend the Cooked Pumpkin to a Puree
Blend the cooked pumpkin with a high quality blender or immersion blender to get a smooth, creamy puree.
The Vitamix is the best blender to use to puree pumpkin. To achieve a smooth pumpkin puree, blend in a Vitamix Blender for 30 to 60 seconds, depending on the amount of pumpkin.
Use an immersion blender if you do not have a high quality blender, such as a Vitamix. My favorite immersion blender is the Bamix. It takes 3 to 5 minutes blending with an immersion blender to get a smooth puree, similar to the puree made with the Vitamix.
Blend the pumpkin in batches if your pumpkin is large.
If you cooked the pumpkin with a pressure cooker, you should not have to add any water. The pumpkin puree will have enough moisture.
However, if you roasted or baked the pumpkin, the pumpkin will be drier. When blended, it will not be as creamy.
To fix this problem, add hot water a little at a time. Start with 1/4 cup and blend. Then add more water as necessary, until you get the puree consistency you want.
How to Use Pumpkin Puree
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make pumpkin puree. It is a great start to a variety of pumpkin recipes, including pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin oatmeal.
Check out my other practical culinary tutorials and comment below to let me know what you would like to learn how to cook or bake.