Learn how to cook pumpkin in Instant Pot. I've made pumpkin puree a few different ways, and this is the only way I'll make pumpkin puree now because it's so easy. Homemade pumpkin puree has more flavor than what you buy in the store, so you'll definitely want to make some for the fall and winter holidays.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree Instant Pot

Name: Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 38 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pie pumpkin; water

We planted pie pumpkins in the first garden we had at the new homestead. I was excited to watch them grow, harvest them, and then turn them into fresh pumpkin puree.

The Instant Pot wasn't around then, so I ended up baking the pumpkins and using the pumpkin attachment for my food strainer.

It was a labor of love to say the least. However, I did make some delicious pumpkin pies that year!

While the pumpkin did taste better, it was a long and tedious process. You have to bake the squash for an hour in the oven.

Then you have to process it in a food strainer to get the flesh off to use for cooking.

Then I leaned how to make pumpkin puree without oven using my Instant Pot pressure cooker. This is so easy, and it's how I make it every year now.

For more fall recipes, check out these posts:

Keep track of this recipe and all of your DIY recipes in this natural home binder printable.

What is Pumpkin Puree Made Of?

Homemade pumpkin puree Instant Pot is just pureed pumpkin. That's it.

You can add some water to thin it, but you don't add any spices or other ingredients.

What Kind of Pumpkin to Use for Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree

For best results, you'll want to use a sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin to make pumpkin puree from scratch Instant Pot.

Technically, you would use a carving pumpkin, but it won't taste that great. Instead, look for the smaller pumpkins.

Why is it Not Safe to Can Pumpkin Puree?

I love canning food to preserve it, but you can not can this Instant Pot pumpkin puree or any other pumpkin puree at home. It's not safe with a water bath canner or pressure canner.

Pumpkin has a high density, and each batch is different due to water content. It's just too thick for the heat to penetrate into the middle of the jar to kill botulism.

Pumpkin is also a low acid food. If the heat can't kill bacteria, then it can thrive in a low acid environment.

You'll see people canning pumpkin puree at home, but know that it's not safe and your family could get sick.

You can safely pressure can pumpkin cubes though.

Learn about 11 canning mistakes that can kill you to keep your family safe.

How Do You Preserve Fresh Pumpkin?

So how do you preserve your Instant Pot pumpkin puree? I freeze mine. I freeze in portions for recipes I'm going to use and also freeze some in a silicone ice cube tray for 1 ounce chunks.

Then I can grab what I need for recipes that use like these soft pumpkin dog treats.

You can also freeze dry your instant pot puree whole pumpkin. You'll need a Harvest Right freeze dryer.

Learn more about freeze dry vs dehydrating to learn more about freeze drying.

How to Make Pumpkin Puree Without a Pressure Cooker

If you don't have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, I highly recommend getting one. I thought it was just another gadget I didn't have room for, but I use mine several times a week for meal prep and cooking.

You can also learn how to make pumpkin puree in the oven. Simply cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and guts. Place it cut side down on a baking sheet at roast at 375 degrees F for an hour or until soft.

Then peel off the skin and puree until smooth.

How to Use Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree Recipe

You can use this pumpkin puree from scratch Instant Pot just like you would canned pumpkin. Here are some of my favorite recipes:

Pumpkin is also wonderful for your skin since it's high in vitamins and minerals. Use it to make a pumpkin body scrub recipe or a pumpkin face mask recipe.

How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Puree

You can store this Instant Pot pumpkin puree for up to a week in the fridge. You can also freeze it up to three months.

Tips for Making a Whole Pumpkin Instant Pot

Here are some tips for making Instant Pot whole pumpkin:

I cut my pumpkins in half and fit 3 halves in my 6 quart Instant Pot. You can also quarter the pumpkins and remove the stems to fit more in each batch.
Add a cup of water to the bottom of the liner and use a rack. This steams the pumpkin, which makes it tender and easy to remove the skin.
Instant Pot pumpkin puree whole pumpkin will be lighter and brighter than canned pumpkin. This is normal.
When adding water, be careful not to add too much. If you do, it's fine for most recipes. But some recipes like bread might be too moist.
If it gets too watery, strain with cheesecloth. Let sit for an hour to remove excess water.
Use pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins for best results.
Feed the scraps to your chickens or place in your direct compost pile.

What You Need to Cook Pumpkin in Instant Pot

You will need the following to make pumpkin puree in Instant Pot:

1 pie pumpkin
1 cup water
Instant Pot pressure cooker
Trivet
Blender
Tongs
Spoon

How to Make Pumpkin Puree Instant Pot

Step #1

Carefully cut off the stem from the pumpkin. Then cut in half and remove the seeds and stringy bits from the pumpkin.

Step #2

Place 1 cup of water in the liner and place the trivet inside. Place both halves of the pumpkin in the liner. Mine were small, so I fit 3 halves in each load.

Step #3

Pressure cook on high for 13 minutes. Let release naturally.

Step #4

Release the pressure and remove the lid. Carefully remove the pumpkin with a spoon and place on a cookie sheet. The pumpkin will be hot!

Step #5

Use tongs to remove the skin and discard or compost.

Step #6

Place the pumpkin puree in a food processor or blender. Blend and add water as needed. I used about 1/4 cup for one pumpkin.

Now you know how to make pumpkin puree without oven!

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree Recipe