HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT PUMPKIN PUREE (All Natural)

Learn the easiest way you can make instant pot pumpkin puree from scratch in a snap! And start using your homemade pumpkin puree in all your favorite fall recipes.

Sometimes it is hard to find pumpkin puree at the store, and if you’re a “pumpkin everything” kind of person, you want to have pumpkin puree at hand when you need it.

This homemade pumpkin puree recipe is extremely easy to make in the instant pot or any electric pressure cooker, and the best part is that it is freezer friendly.  

You want to make homemade pumpkin puree, and you don’t own an instant pot pressure cooker. You need to get one now! Pressure cooking is a time saver if you’re a busy person. I recommend the 6 qt instant pot if you have a family of 2-4 members and an 8 qt instant pot if you have a larger family. 

Once you get your new instant pot pressure cooker, make sure to try our instant pot chicken piccata and our delicious instant pot shrimp scampi and learn the easiest way to make perfect quinoa in the instant pot.

If you are not interested in getting a pressure cooker or it isn’t in your budget right now, you can find down this post on how to cook a whole pumpkin in the oven. But I highly recommend steaming the pumpkin in an instant pot. 

In this instant pot pumpkin puree recipe, you will learn how to make pumpkin puree using the instant pot pressure cooker and some helpful tips to help you get the right pumpkin, how to store and freeze your fresh homemade and all-natural pumpkin puree.

How to make pumpkin puree in the instant pot

Cooking pumpkin in the pressure cooker is so easy, and if you are on a budget, it helps you save money if you buy them when they are on sale and freeze to make different fall recipes later on. 

STEP 1. Make sure your sugar pumpkin fits in the inner pot. 

STEP 2. Place the trivet. Add the water, place the pumpkin inside the pot.

STEP 3. Place the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position (or DON'T press the release knob for the newest model). Press the manual/pressure cook button (or dial) and the + or - button (or dial) to choose 17 minutes of high pressure. The pot will take a few minutes to build up the pressure before the timer starts.

STEP 4. When the cooking cycle has finished, do a Quick Release of the pressure by turning the knob towards the Venting position (or pressing the release knob). When the metal pin in the lid drops down, you can open the lid facing away from you.

STEP 5. Lift the pumpkin out of the instant pot, place it on a plate or cutting board and wait until the pumpkin is cool enough to handle.

STEP 6. Once the pumpkin has cooled down, peel off the skin, cut in half, and scoop out the seeds.

STEP 7. Place the pumpkin flesh in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. (I didn’t add water, but if you think your food processor isn’t strong enough, add one or two tablespoons of water).

Recipe Tips:

• If your pumpkin is bigger and cannot fit in your instant pot inner pot, there are few things you can do; you may need to remove the stem to make the pumpkin fits in the instant pot, or before cooking, you can cut the pumpkin in half or quarter and scoop out the seeds (if you do this you need to reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes on high pressure)
• Look for smaller sugar or pie pumpkin when buying your pumpkins at the farm market or grocery store.

• When lifting out the trivet with the pumpkin already cooked, be careful the pumpkin skin does not slide off the trivet and onto the floor.
• Peels off the stubborn pumpkin skin with a small paring knife.  
• If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can mash the pumpkin using a potato masher.

You can roast your pumpkin in the oven. Halve your pumpkin, remove the seeds and goop, place the two pieces or more with the cut side facing down on a baking sheet. Roast at 380 F degrees for 40-60 minutes or until very soft.

How long does it take to cook pumpkin in the pressure cooker (instant pot)? 

Cooking pumpkin in the instant pot is way too easy, and the cooking time depends on how big the pumpkin is and if you cut the pumpkin before cooking. 

But if you are cooking a whole small pumpkin around 2.8 lbs to 3 lbs, the cooking time is 17 minutes, now if you are cooking chunk pieces of pumpkin, 5 to 6 minutes is a great time. The best thing is you don’t need to wait for the pressure to release. You can quickly release the pressure after the cooking time has finished.

Can I freeze pumpkin puree?

Yes, you can freeze pumpkin puree for up to 3 months if it is properly stored. 

How to store leftover pumpkin puree

If you are not using the pumpkin puree right away, place the pumpkin puree in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator 24 hours. 

To freeze the homemade pumpkin puree, freeze it in measured quantities, mark with the contents, date, and amount, and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to drain pumpkin puree

If your homemade pumpkin puree is too watery, you will need to drain it until desire consistency.

Place a sieve on a bowl and place the homemade fresh pumpkin puree in a sieve lined with coffee filters or paper towels. You can also use cheesecloths or a yogurt drainer. Make sure to use a bowl to catch the liquid as it drains from the pumpkin puree.

Once the puree is drained, the pumpkin pulp should be the same consistency as canned pumpkin puree and can be used in all your favorite recipes calling for canned pumpkin puree.

To make this recipe you need

• Instant pot pressure cooker
• Food processor
• Sieve

Looking for more instant pot Recipes

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HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT ASPARAGUS With this instant pot asparagus recipe, you will love your instant pot even more if you haven’t done steamed vegetables in it.

INSTANT POT SALMON FOIL PACKETS This instant pot salmon foil packets recipe only has four ingredients, and the cooking time is just 5 minutes, which means we have dinner ready in less than 15 minutes

INSTANT POT ARTICHOKE Artichokes in the instant pot are quick and easy to make.

CREAMY INSTANT POT HUMMUS Made with basic ingredients and using the pressure cooker to make this hummus recipe from scratch.

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