How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree (and Freeze It)

It’s that time of year! With fall comes pumpkin this, pumpkin that. To be honest, we’re not huge fans of many pumpkin-flavored goodies – mostly because they’re too darn sweet or processed for my liking! But homemade pumpkin puree and related recipes on the other hand? Sign me up! Plus, the way we like to prepare our puree (roasting the pumpkins first) brings out the best of the pumpkin’s natural sweet flavors.

Read along to learn how to make your own homemade pumpkin puree. It’s incredibly easy to do, and exponentially more fresh and flavorful than the canned stuff you’ll buy in store! We’ll also talk about how to freeze pumpkin puree, and the numerous tasty ways you can use it. Make this now while pumpkins are in season, and enjoy pumpkin vibes for many months ahead!

But first, let’s cover a few frequently asked questions about pumpkin puree. 

What is pumpkin puree?

It’s literally what it sounds like: pureed pumpkin flesh! Most folks are familiar with pumpkin puree that comes in a can. Today, we’re going to make homemade pumpkin puree using whole fresh pumpkins – and nothing else! It is more rich, thick, velvety, and flavorful than the stuff you’ll get at the grocery store.

That said, don’t confuse pumpkin puree with canned pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices, and has far more limited uses than pumpkin puree. For instance, you would NOT want to use a can of pumpkin pie filling in our savory pumpkin chili recipe! Pumpkin puree is more earthy, mild, and naturally semi-sweet.

Is pumpkin puree healthy (good for you)? 

Yep, it sure is! Pumpkin puree is low in fat and calories, but packs a punch of nutrients – including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and tons of antioxidants. In fact, a cup of pumpkin puree provides more fiber than you’d get eating two slices of whole-grain bread. Ample fiber in a meal is good for digestive health and also leaves you feeling more satiated longer. Pumpkin puree is especially high in Vitamin A, along with notable levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and many B vitamins. Just like its seeds, pumpkin flesh also contains a plethora of health-promoting minerals including iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and copper.

What type of pumpkins can I use to make homemade pumpkin puree?

Many types! We personally prefer to use organic sugar pie or baking pumpkins. You know, the smallish orange ones you find in the produce department of the grocery store close to Thanksgiving? Full of thick, sweet flesh, sugar pie pumpkins will create the best-tasting homemade pumpkin puree. You can also make homemade pumpkin puree from Jack-o-lantern or other large decorative pumpkins, though the flesh is usually more stringy, watery, and less flavorful.

Note that ‘sugar’ or ‘pie’ pumpkins are fairly generic names for a number of ideal cooking pumpkin varieties, including Autumn Gold, Winter Luxury, Cinnamon Girl, Baby Pam, and New England Pie – to name just a few. Furthermore, the best baking pumpkins aren’t just round and orange! Some of the squatty, colorful, more unique-looking pumpkins are actually the best ones to make homemade pumpkin puree with – including Musquee de Provence, Cinderella, Jarrahdale, Lumina, Valenciano, and Fairy Tale pumpkins. Heck, you can even substitute most pumpkin puree recipes with butternut squash.

Finally, choose pumpkins that are fairly fresh and in good condition. It’s okay if they’ve been left out as decoration for a bit, as long as they are still firm and have no nasty blemishes or mold. Don’t let your edible Halloween decor go to waste! At least try to compost the ones that don’t make it to the kitchen.

A note about using Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins for puree:

Because these big pumpkins can be less flavorful and rich than others, I wouldn’t recommend using them for puree in a recipe where pumpkin is the star. Meaning, not in your precious Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Yet that doesn’t mean they should go to waste! A little pumpkin puree made from jack-o-lanterns would be perfectly acceptable mixed in soup, sourdough, or even saved for your pets. Pumpkin puree is healthy for dogs, cats, and chickens alike.

Why roast the pumpkins instead of steam them?

There are few different ways you can soften and cook pumpkin before turning it into homemade pumpkin puree. Some recipes call for steaming pumpkin on the stovetop, while others toss it into a crock pot or Instant Pot. All those methods work! Yet we prefer to roast our pumpkins in the oven. By roasting food at 400°F or higher, a magical little thing called caramelization happens.

When food is exposed to high temperatures and begins to lightly brown, an oxidative reaction occurs that transforms the vegetal, earthy, or even slightly bitter flavors into increasingly sweet, nutty, and toasted caramel notes instead! The result is a wonderfully naturally-sweetened homemade pumpkin puree. 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
   
   
2. Wash your pumpkins of choice and carefully cut them in half.
   
   
3. Scoop out the guts and seeds. I highly recommend to save the seeds to roast later for a delicious, healthy snack! Check out our Crunchy Soaked and Roasted Pumpkin seeds recipe here.
   
   
4. Lightly sprinkle a small pinch of salt over the exposed pumpkin flesh.
   
   
5. Place the pumpkin halves face down (skin side up) on a baking sheet. We line ours with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
   
   
6. Next, use a sharp knife to poke the back skin side of each pumpkin in a few places. The small slits allow steam to get in between the flesh and skin, and makes peeling them after roasting an absolute breeze! Plus, if you do it like my silly husband does (two slits for eyes and another for the mouth), it makes them look like super creepy shrunken pumpkin heads. The kids will love it! I know I do. 😂
   
   

7. Roast the pumpkins on 400°F for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, until they are tender when poked with a fork or knife. Rotate trays halfway through to promote even cooking. Remember, a little browning is actually a good thing!
   
   
8. Remove the pumpkins from the oven. If time allows, let them cool a bit so you can safely handle them before proceeding to the next step.
   
   
9. Now, separate the pumpkin flesh from the skins. After poking and roasting face-down, the skin should peel right off the flesh! If needed, use a spoon to scoop the cooked pumpkin out, transferring it into a blender or food processor.
   
   
10. Use a blender or food processor to turn the soft pumpkin flesh into homemade pumpkin puree. Blend until smooth.
    

Storing or Preserving Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Either use, refrigerate, or freeze your homemade pumpkin puree. When stored in the fridge, plan to use it within about a week. Pumpkin puree stays ‘good’ for up to a year in the freezer, though the texture and quality will be best if used within a few months. To freeze, we divvy up our homemade pumpkin puree into usable portions in freezer-safe containers – such as wide-mouth glass pint jars, or these BPA-free plastic freezer containers. Defrost in the fridge a day or two before you want to use it. 

How to Use Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Now, what the heck do we do with this stuff? Homemade pumpkin puree can add a welcome boost of nutrients, mildly sweet flavor, and color to a number of meals. Of course, the obvious application is in sweet baked goods, such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, or pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin puree can also be used to whip up some pumpkin waffles, pancakes, ice cream or other frozen desserts. Dollop some into your morning oatmeal or plain yogurt and granola with a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. 

My personal favorites are the savory pumpkin dishes. Add homemade pumpkin puree to soup, stew, sauces, lentils, curry, and more! Check out our Roasted Pumpkin 3-Bean Chili for example. (I like to use part chunky cooked pumpkin and part puree in that recipe.) You could even use it as ravioli filling, or mixed with ricotta cheese and fresh herbs in pumpkin lasagna.  Finally, we plan to experiment with pumpkin puree in homemade sourdough soon. I think by holding back some of the water in the recipe and working this into the dough instead, it will turn out simply divine. 

Easy as pie! Actually, way easier.

As you can see, making homemade pumpkin puree couldn’t get more simple – and I hope you picked up a few helpful tips in this tutorial! Please feel free to ask questions, come back for a review, and spread the love by sharing this article. Have a fabulous fall, and make the most out of pumpkin season!

Don’t miss these related recipes:

• Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Soup (vegan)
• Crunchy Soaked and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• Sweet Potato (Yam), Apple, and Fresh Cranberry Bake – a holiday time favorite!
• Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup (vegan)
• Sugar Pie Pumpkin 3-Bean Chili (vegan)
• Creamy Sweet Potato Leek Soup (vegan)
• Roasted Two-Bite Smashed Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs