Easily cook a pumpkin in the Instant Pot for 100% pure and natural pumpkin purée! This Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree is great to have on hand for all those delicious fall recipes!
Did you know that you can make your own pumpkin puree using your Instant Pot? Yes, you can! I had always thought it would be hard to make, but what little did I know?! It’s super easy using an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker.
The best part of this homemade pumpkin puree recipe is that it’s made from your very own fresh pumpkin! Of course, with this delicious recipe, you can make desserts like Pumpkin Pecan Crisp and this Easy Pumpkin Fudge Recipe.
I use pumpkin puree in a variety of recipes and it is always nice to have my own fresh homemade puree. It’s perfect in baked goods like pumpkin cheesecake bars or in pumpkin butterscotch pancakes for breakfast.
It’s also great in Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, keto pumpkin pie, Slow Cooker Pumpkin Turkey Chili and No Bake Pumpkin Pie
You can even use it to make your own homemade dog treats in place of the canned pumpkin puree. I have had several times over the past year where I had difficulty finding canned pumpkin puree.
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⭐ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ⭐
Quick and Easy – The Instant Pot makes cooking pumpkin puree a breeze. With its pressure cooking feature, you can have homemade pumpkin puree ready in just a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
Fresh and Flavorful – Making your own pumpkin puree allows you to enjoy the natural flavors of fresh pumpkin. Store-bought canned pumpkin puree can’t compare to the taste and aroma of freshly cooked pumpkin.
Versatile Ingredient – Homemade pumpkin puree opens up a world of culinary possibilities. You can use it in a variety of recipes, from classic pumpkin pies and bread to savory soups and stews.
Health Benefits – Pumpkin is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.
🧾 Ingredients Needed
Water – This is a very simple ingredient, but it’s important to making the pumpkin puree and cooking correctly in the Instant Pot.
Pie Pumpkin – For this pumpkin puree recipe, you just need one pie pumpkin. Pie pumpkins are smaller than the type you use for jack-o-lanterns. They are round in shape and are less stringy and seedy inside compared to decorative pumpkins.
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
🥣 How to Make
Now that we’ve covered all the ingredients, let’s move on to making the pumpkin puree.
STEP 1: Cut top off pumpkin and remove seeds and pulp strings from the inside. You can save the seeds to make roasted pumpkin seeds.
STEP 2: Place a wire rack inside the Instant Pot to hold the pumpkin.
STEP 3: Place pumpkin on rack. Place lid on instant pot. Set the valve to sealed position. Press high pressure, pressure cook, or manual button depending on your pot. Set time to 20 minutes.
Once counting stops and beeps release the pressure by turning the valve to the unsealed position.
STEP 4: Insert fork into inside of pumpkin to make sure it easily goes through the skin. If it doesn’t, cook for a few more minutes. Some pumpkins are tougher than others so adjust to the thickness.
Remove skin from pumpkin flesh and blend in food processor until smooth.
⭐ PRO TIPS ⭐
- Choose the Right Pumpkin: Look for small to medium-sized pumpkins specifically meant for cooking, such as sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins. These varieties have a sweeter and smoother flesh compared to larger carving pumpkins.
- Cut the Pumpkin into Chunks: Before placing the pumpkin in the Instant Pot, cut it into manageable pieces. This will make it easier to remove the seeds and peel after cooking. Aim for chunks that are about 2-3 inches in size.
- Add Flavorful Spices: While the pumpkin is cooking, consider adding some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to enhance the flavor. These warm spices complement the natural sweetness of the pumpkin and give it a delightful autumnal taste.
- Use the Manual/Pressure Cook Setting: Set your Instant Pot to the manual/pressure cook setting for around 10-15 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of pumpkin, so be sure to check for tenderness by piercing it with a fork.
📝 Recipe FAQs
After cooking the pumpkin chunks, transfer them to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth and creamy. Add a small amount of water or vegetable broth if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
Yes, you can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to enhance the flavor of the pumpkin. Sprinkle the desired spices over the pumpkin chunks before cooking.
Pumpkin puree is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes, such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pancakes, and more. Get creative and explore different culinary possibilities!
You will want to specifically use a pie pumpkin to make puree. They are smaller than the type you use for jack-o-lanterns. Pie pumpkins are round in shape and less stringy and seedy inside compared to decorative pumpkins.
❄️ Storage and Freezer Instructions
To Store: Transfer the puree to a sealed or covered container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 5-7 days.
To Freeze: Place the puree in an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure to press out any excess air before sealing. Frozen pumpkin puree can be stored for up to 6 months.
If you tried this Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree or any other recipe on my site, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing your about your results and thoughts!
Recipes to Make with Pumpkin Purée
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 pie pumpkin
Instructions
- Place trivet into the instant pot. Add one cup water.
- Cut top off pumpkin and remove seeds and pulp strings from the inside.
- Place pumpkin into the instant pot. Place lid onto to the instant pot. Set the valve to sealed position.
- Press high pressure, pressure cook, or manual button depending on your pot. Set time to 20 minutes.
- Once the instant pot stops counting and beeps release the pressure by turning the valve to the unsealed position.
- Insert fork into the pumpkin from the inside and make sure it easily goes to the skin. That’s how you know the pumpkin is ready. If not, than recook for a few more minutes. Some pumpkins are tougher than others so adjust to the thickness.
- Remove skin from pumpkin and then blend in food processor for use in pies, desserts, and chili.
Notes
- Choose the Right Pumpkin: Look for small to medium-sized pumpkins specifically meant for cooking, such as sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins. These varieties have a sweeter and smoother flesh compared to larger carving pumpkins.
- Cut the Pumpkin into Chunks: Before placing the pumpkin in the Instant Pot, cut it into manageable pieces. This will make it easier to remove the seeds and peel after cooking. Aim for chunks that are about 2-3 inches in size.
- Add Flavorful Spices: While the pumpkin is cooking, consider adding some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to enhance the flavor. These warm spices complement the natural sweetness of the pumpkin and give it a delightful autumnal taste.
- Use the Manual/Pressure Cook Setting: Set your Instant Pot to the manual/pressure cook setting for around 10-15 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of pumpkin, so be sure to check for tenderness by piercing it with a fork.
Leah Ingram says
OMG, I knew that an Instant Pot was an amazing tool. But this article taught me how to use it to make cooking pumpkin so much easier. I never have to buy canned pumpkin again. Thank you so much.