Once you try this fresh pumpkin puree recipe, you may never use the canned stuff again... Learn how to make pumpkin puree with a sugar pumpkin - so simple and easy!
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There are probably already a million pumpkin puree recipes posted on the Internet, sharing step by step how to make pumpkin puree. But today I took a field trip today to the pumpkin patch with my preschooler, and you know what that means...
Pumpkins of course! But also...bPockets full of corn kernels... And hair full of hay... Ah, to be four years old again!
After finally wrangling my little one away from the Autumn wonderland, we brought our little handpicked batch of pumpkins home. Some went on our front porch as decorations for now, to be pureed later, and others met the knife this afternoon.
We washed and dried them thoroughly. Then we sliced them in half, and scooped out the seeds and stringy flesh.
I trimmed off the stems to allow the pumpkins to fit on my baking sheet better and placed them cut side down on the rimmed sheet. Then I poured about a cup of water around them.
Into the oven they went for 60 minutes, until they were soft and easily scooped out of their skins. I then pureed the pulp with my favorite immersion blender, divided the puree up into one-cup portions, and placed each portion in a Ziploc bag to freeze for all kinds of yummy Fall treats!
I know it's pretty darn simple, but it tastes infinitely better than canned! If you prefer the thicker consistency of canned pumpkin puree, you can strain some of the water off by placing the puree in a cheesecloth-lined sieve to drain for about 30 minutes before using or freezing. But I use it in my favorite pumpkin recipes, like pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie, as is.
The three little pumpkins that I pureed today produced about 5 cups of pumpkin puree. The puree should keep for up to a year in the freezer, but I'm sure mine will be gone long before then!
Printable Recipe ↓
How To Make Pumpkin Puree
Key Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 small sugar pumpkins, also known as pie pumpkins or sweet pumpkins (about 2-lbs. each)
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 400℉.
- Wash the pumpkins and dry thoroughly. Slice each in half vertically. Trim off the stems, and scoop out the stringy flesh and seeds.
- Arrange pumpkin halves cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Then pour 1 cup of water around them.
- Bake uncovered at 400℉ for 45-60 minutes, until a knife easily pierces the skin and flesh.
- Let cool lightly, then scoop the soft pumpkin pulp out of the skins. Place pulp in a large bowl. Transfer in batches to a food processor, and puree until smooth.
- If the fresh pumpkin puree seems too thin, the excess water can be removed using a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Pour the puree into the lined strainer, and let it drain until it reaches the desired consistency.
Recipe Notes
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Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your homemade pumpkin puree turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
elisa says
can anyone share the exact measurements and ingredients per pie, please? first time trying everything from scratch.
John A. Long says
Informative but lacking info at the same time, How many pie pumpkins?
Denitra says
The ingredients list reads:
3 pie pumpkins
Lora says
Hey! All I have is a hand wand mixer, will that work or should i just mash down with a fork?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi Lora! Do you have a blender? That would work, too. If not, you can use your hand mixer. Your puree just might be a little chunkier, but it will still taste great.
Tia says
I got some of the bigger pumpkins for free at the market after Halloween. I can't wait to try this. When the recipe calls for the canned pumpkin would you substitute with 1 cup of the puree?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi, Tia! Yes, you can substitute it 1:1 for canned pumpkin in your favorite recipes.
Mira says
Hello. I'd like to try tour pumpkin puree recipe this weekend,but I have one question. Which degrees you have used? Thank you a lot.
Greetings from Spain
Pavel Liháni says
Oven temperature is 350 degrees F. About 175 Degrees C. It is listed in the recipe in the box under the pictures.
Lisa G says
Hi I am new to your site/blog and love it! I noticed on this recipe you mentioned to use "pie pumpkins" and am wondering is there a difference? My daughter bought pumpkins and am wondering if they will work as I would hate to throw them out if I can use them for something yummy like this! Im wondering do you have any other recipes which use cooked pumpkin as an ingredient? Ive seen savory dishes such as sauces and such but wondering if you have any you like!
Thanks for making us moms/wives look like baking and cooking geniuses to our famillies! :o)
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Pie pumpkins are the smaller pumpkins that are usually found in the produce section. I'm not clear exactly what size pumpkins you have, but Jack-o-lantern pumpkins won't make a very good puree. I don't have ant savory recipes posted on here right now (hoping to do a pumpkin soup soon), but you might like my classic pumpkin bread: https://unsophisticook.com/pumpkin-bread-recipe/
Jeff Vaccaro says
Hi there love to coke and back. I wont to make a pumpkin pie from scratch. I was reading you recipe for making the puree. I know you have it in your recipe to bake the half of pumpkin but I was wondering if you could boil the pumpkin in water instead. Would it come out the same. Pleas e-mail me back please. My e-mail address is Harleyrider4393@gmail.com Than you for your time in this matter. Jeff
Pamela Marks says
I wante you to know that you can also use full size pumpkins for this, just as yummy just a little more work.
Paula - bell'alimento says
Keep the pumpkin recipes coming! Love this!
Ruby says
I have made my own pumpkin purée for the last few years and love the taste over the canned stuff. My method is similar to what you described but I didn't add the water, I plan to try it when I bake my pie pumpkin today.
andrea martin says
Thank you so much! Great Blog
Leah @ Whitefoot Blog says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I've been wondering if making pumpkin puree really is that difficult - and you make it look super easy! I may have to try this and post the results on my blog :)
Elizabeth @Food Ramblings says
this looks great! time to go pumpkin picking!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
Great post and pics! I hate canned pumpkin puree, it has a metallic taste to me.
cassie says
I love homemade pumpkin puree! I grabbed some pie pumpkins last night and planning to make some puree today. Great post, Tara!
Stephanie says
What a great idea! I can imagine that it's tons better than the canned stuff.