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    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Oct 19, 2020 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    Make homemade Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree from a sugar pumpkin in less than an hour with this easy pressure cooker recipe. Perfect for pies, bread, cookies, soup or in any recipe that calls for cooked pumpkin. via @meamel

    Make homemade Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree from a sugar pumpkin in less than an hour with this easy pressure cooker recipe. Perfect for pies, bread, cookies, soup or in any recipe that calls for cooked pumpkin.

    Jump to Recipe -
    bowl of cooked pumpkin puree with instant pot pressure cooker and whole sugar pumpkin in background

    If you can't find canned pumpkin in the store, it's super quick and easy to make your own homemade pumpkin puree in your Instant Pot! No peeling necessary -- just cook the pumpkin whole, and it's done in about 15 minutes!

    Fall is all about pumpkin recipes at my house! So when I couldn't find canned pumpkin in the store, I was just a little bit worried.

    Until I remembered that I could pressure cook a whole pumpkin. You guys, this is definitely one of my favorite Instant Pot recipes right about now! Homemade cooked pumpkin tastes amazing!

    How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree in the Instant Pot

    My grandma always made homemade pumpkin pie filling from my Halloween jack o' lantern by baking it in the oven. But, smaller sugar pumpkins are what you need here.

    Sometimes, they're called pie pumpkins. I try to get ones that are in the 2 to 3 pound range.

    First, rinse your pumpkin. Then, cut off the stem and a small area around the top of the pumpkin. You can cut it like you would for a jack o'lantern or slice it straight across.

    sugar pumpkin with top cut off on the counter

    Don't scoop out the seeds. It's way easier to do this after pressure cooking! Then, add water to the Instant Pot, and place the trivet inside.

    Place the pumpkin cut side up on the trivet. Then, pressure cook it for 15 minutes, and do a quick release.

    It's a blooming pumpkin! Don't you just love how the skin just comes right off?! Don't be alarmed by the white spots -- just sugars coming through. By the way, not all pumpkins will peel themselves.

    cooked pumpkin with skin off in the instant pot

    Now, just let it cool down a bit. Cut it open, remove the seeds and any tough pulp, and place the cooked pumpkin in a large bowl. By the way -- don't toss out the seeds -- make roasted pumpkin seeds next!

    You can use an immersion blender to puree the pumpkin. Or, you can do this in a blender or food processor -- whatever is easier! I like to leave some liquid in the pumpkin while I puree it since it's easier to blend.

    cooked pumpkin in a mixing bowl

    However, if your pumpkin has a lot of extra liquid, strain it before blending. You can use cheesecloth, a mesh strainer or just squeeze it out using your hands.

    And, here's the finished cooked pumpkin puree in all of its smooth, golden, shining glory! You can use this to make Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup, Savory Pumpkin Soup on the stove, Best Easy Pumpkin Muffins, Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake or in any recipe that calls for pumpkin puree.

    bowl of instant pot pumpkin puree

    How to Store It

    Small pumpkins usually yield about 1 ½ to 2 cups of puree -- maybe a little more. If you're using it right away, you can keep it in the fridge for a couple of days.

    For longer storage, place 1 cup at a time in freezer bags, flatten the puree out, and freeze until ready to use. You can also freeze smaller portions in ice cube trays or silicone baking cups.

    Recipe

    bowl of cooked pumpkin puree with instant pot pressure cooker and whole sugar pumpkin in background

    Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree

    Published by Dee
    Make homemade Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree from a sugar pumpkin in less than an hour with this easy pressure cooker recipe. Perfect for pies, bread, cookies, soup or in any recipe that calls for cooked pumpkin.
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 49 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups water or 1 for 6 quart
    • 1 small sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse and dry the pumpkin, and cut stem off
    • Pour water into the Instant Pot, place the trivet in the pot, and place the pumpkin cut side up on the trivet
    • Place lid on the pot, make sure vent is set to sealing, and press PRESSURE COOK for 15 minutes. When pot beeps, do a quick release, and when pin drops, carefully remove lid
    • Pumpkin should be fork tender. If not, pressure cook for an additional 5 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to carefully remove pumpkin.
    • Allow to cool slightly, then remove skin, seeds and extra pulp, and place pumpkin into a bowl. Strain with cheesecloth or mesh strainer if it releases a lot of liquid. Then, puree using an immersion blender. Or, puree in a blender or food processor.
    • Use in your favorite recipe, or refrigerate until ready to use. Freeze for longer storage

    Notes

    Use 1.5 cups of water for an 8 quart and 1 cup for a 6 quart.
    If pumpkin is not fork tender after cooking, cook for an additional 5 minutes until fork tender.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 49kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1g
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Tips

    • Try to use a pumpkin around 2 to 3 pounds for best results
    • If pumpkin isn't fork tender after cooking, cook for an additional 5 minutes or until tender.
    • Save the seeds for roasting
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ann says

      October 28, 2020 at 8:55 am

      With 2020 as crazy as it is, it has been difficult to find canned pumpkin in the stores. I tried this out and it worked great! Will definitely keep using this for other fall recipes!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 04, 2020 at 10:01 pm

        Yea!! So happy you liked the pumpkin puree!

    2. Kevin says

      October 23, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      I love what you can do in an instant pot! I am going to have to try this one out!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Catalina says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:29 am

      I use a lot pumpkin puree in the kitchen. It's so great to make it at home with your recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 23, 2020 at 8:32 pm

        This is the easiest pumpkin puree ever!

    4. Melissa says

      October 21, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      Great idea, I hadn't though of this. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says

      October 21, 2020 at 6:50 am

      This is so easy and delicious!! YUM!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 23, 2020 at 8:35 pm

        Thanks! I can't believe how much flavor it has!

    6. katerina @ diethood.com says

      October 21, 2020 at 6:49 am

      I love pumpkin puree! I can't wait to try this!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 23, 2020 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks! It's so easy this way!

    7. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      October 20, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      I know for sure this Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree would be a huge hit in my house!

      Reply
    8. Amanda says

      October 20, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      I will be trying this in a few days, I am so excited. It looks amazing!

      Reply
    9. Sara Welch says

      October 20, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Another great recipe for my Instant Pot! Such a great recipe for so many treats this fall; delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 28, 2020 at 11:51 am

        Thank you so much, Sara! I'm glad you tried it!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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