DIY Homemade Pumpkin Puree: an Easy Fall Recipe

Pumpkin Puree is a star ingredient in the fall and winter. Now you can make it yourself with this easy guide covering everything you need to know!

Originally published October 2014; updated October 2018

Fall and winter are a perfect time of year for making homemade Pumpkin Puree with the abundance of winter squash available.

The method is simple and easy, as well as the pumpkin puree freezes wonderfully for later use.

Right now in the Boulder Locavore kitchen, a day does not pass without a dish including pumpkin being happily gobbled up.

From Pumpkin Iced Lattes to Pumpkin Spice Buttermilk Bundt cake (with Salted Dark Caramel Glaze) and Black Bean Pumpkin Tamale Pie, we are eating our fill of this wonderful seasonal squash.

The common theme? All these recipes require pumpkin puree.

What is Pumpkin Puree?

Pumpkin puree is the pureed flesh of a pumpkin. It’s the type of pumpkin purchased in cans that becomes a key seasonal ingredient in many dishes.

It is the star ingredient in pumpkin pie filling, though is NOT the same as the ‘pumpkin pie filling’ also sold in cans (that has been sweetened with spices added).

Why Use Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin is an extremely versatile squash. It adds a creamy texture to soups, is wonderful in breads without lending an overpowering flavor, and of course stars in many desserts at this time of year.

Pumpkins are an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory food making them a great addition to one’s diet to keep a body healthy.

They also have a high amount of Vitamin C. The seeds are high in protein and I have the best method to roast them to avoid wrestling with the pumpkin goop.

For more health benefits of pumpkin puree I enjoyed this article.

What Type of Pumpkins Are Used for Pumpkin Puree?

I use Sugar Pumpkins or Pie Pumpkins. They are a smaller variety pumpkin with sweeter flesh. Though small, sugar pumpkins yield a large amount of pumpkin puree.

How Much Puree Does One Pumpkin Yield?

The yield is highly dependent on the pumpkin’s size and its meatiness. As a guide, I recently made puree using a seven-inch diameter pumpkin whose flesh walls were about 3/4-inch thick which yielded 3 cups.

The pumpkin shown in the process photos was in a 15-inch by 10-inch baking pan and had a yield of 4+ cups of pumpkin ‘meat’ before pureeing.

As a rule of thumb one 3-pound pumpkin should yield the same volume as one can of pumpkin puree.

How to Make Pumpkin Puree – Step by Step

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Slice a sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin in half (I suggest using a long sturdy serrated knife) (photo 1).
3. Scoop out the seeds and membrane (use a large kitchen spoon OR a pumpkin scooper for this task); (photo 2). Reserve the seeds for making Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.
4. NOTE: don’t worry about removing all the membrane. After the pumpkin is cooked it’s very easy to remove before scooping out the flesh to puree.
5. Place the pumpkin halves cut side down in a large baking dish filled with 1-inch of water (photo 3).
6. Bake the pumpkin halves for 45-90 minutes (photo 4) depending on the size of the pumpkin (a 3-pound pumpkin will cook for about 45 minutes, a 4-pound pumpkin 60-70 minutes).

7. When the pumpkin is done (the flesh will be soft and easily separated from the skin), remove from the oven and allow to cool until it can be handled comfortably. Scoop out the flesh and process into a puree in a food processor or blender.

How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Puree Last in the Refrigerator?

Kept sealed, homemade pumpkin puree will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator.

How to Freeze Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree freezes wonderfully so it can be kept for future recipes or to use in the off season if you prefer that to buying canned pumpkin.

Freezing Tip: pour the puree into an ice cube tray, freeze fully then transfer the frozen puree cubes to a larger freezer container or bag. It is a very easy way to use small amounts and to get ahead on your Thanksgiving ingredients!

When frozen in an airtight container, the puree will last 6-8 months.

Supplies Needed to Make Pumpkin Puree

• Large sharp kitchen knife (serrated knives work well)
• Large Baking Pan (I use a 15-inch by 10-inch by 2-inch Pyrex pan)
• Sharp-edged large spoon or pumpkin scooper
• Food Processor or Blender
• Ice cube trays and freezer bags or containers if freezing the puree

More Favorite Recipes to Use Pumpkin Puree

Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chicken Corn Chowder is a favorite hearty comfort recipe for the colder months.

Creamy Pumpkin Rice Pudding may be the first recipe that inspired me to make my own pumpkin puree (no judgement about the photos please!)

Who doesn’t love a Perfect Pumpkin Bar using your own homemade pumpkin puree? No one, that’s who.

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DIY Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Fall and winter are a perfect time of year for making homemade Pumpkin Puree with the abundance of winter squash available. The method is simple and easy, as well as the puree freezes wonderfully for later use.The yield is highly dependent on the pumpkin's size and its meatiness. As a guide, I recently made puree using a seven inch diameter pumpkin whose flesh walls were about 3/4-inch thick which yielded 3 cups.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword how to make homemade pumpkin puree, pumpkin puree

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 3 cups estimate (dependent on pumpkin size; see below for an example)

Calories 117 kcal

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

• 1 Sugar Pumpkin (or other variety designated best for eating); select a size when halved would fit into a large baking dish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out all seeds and membrane. Save seeds for roasting!
2. Place pumpkin halves cut side down in a large baking dish. Fill dish with 1 inch of water. Place into oven and bake for 45-90 minutes; until inside of pumpkin is soft (dependent on the pumpkin size and thickness).
3. Remove from oven. Let cool to handle. Scoop out inside into a food processor or blender and pulse until pureed.

Nutrition Facts

DIY Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Amount Per Serving

Calories 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 0g0%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 4mg0%

Potassium 1541mg44%

Carbohydrates 29g10%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 38590IU772%

Vitamin C 40.8mg49%

Calcium 95mg10%

Iron 3.6mg20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.