How to Make Easy Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Level up your fall baking with this simple homemade pumpkin puree. You can make pumpkin puree from scratch in the oven to use in your favorite pumpkin recipes!

Every fall, fresh pumpkins abound in the grocery stores and at the markets, getting me pumped up (pun intended) for my favorite time of year, fall baking! I love a good pumpkin recipe, but there have been times where I can't find pure canned pumpkin at my grocery store to make my favorite dishes. After growing some sugar pumpkins in my garden last summer, I discovered just how easy it is to make homemade puree, and I won't be looking back.

About pumpkin puree

Good pumpkin puree is smooth, thick, and creamy version of cooked pumpkin, found most commonly in cans at your local market. Pumpkin puree can be used in a variety of dishes, including pies, pumpkin bread and muffins, or savory recipes like pasta, soups, and more. Pumpkin is also a great way to incorporate nutrients like vitamin A and fiber into your diet.

What many folks don't know is that pumpkin puree can be made at home by cooking and pureeing pumpkin flesh until it becomes soft and smooth, and then straining out any remaining chunks or seeds. If you've never made your own homemade pumpkin puree from scratch, it can seem a bit intimidating, but it's really simple (dare I say, easier than pie!) and I'll walk you through the process in five easy steps, so you can make your own fresh pumpkin puree at home too.

Why make pumpkin puree from scratch?

• It tastes fresher and has a better pumpkin flavor than canned puree
• The texture is worth the extra effort -- you're left with a silky smooth puree to use in your favorite recipes
• You can store it in the freezer for pumpkin emergencies when you can't find any at the grocery store
• It's insanely easy. All you need is a knife, a sheet pan, an oven and something to mash the pumpkin with

How to make homemade pumpkin puree

Pick Your Pumpkin. First things first, you have to choose a pumpkin. Believe it or not, the type of pumpkin matters when making puree. You don't want any old carving pumpkin though, the best puree pumpkins are smaller pumpkins (think 4-6 pounds). These cooking pumpkins give the best flavor because they are slightly sweeter than their jack-o-lantern cousins. You should be able to find cooking pumpkins, also called sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins in the produce section of your local grocery store with the other squash, or talk to your vendors at a farmers market and see what they'd recommend.

De-seed the Pumpkin. Wash and dry the whole pumpkin; then using a sharp knife, cut a ¼ inch off the top of the pumpkin. Then cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and the stringy pulp. But wait, don't throw out the seeds! You can make them into delicious roasted pumpkin seeds, perfect for topping salads or snacking on.

Bake the Pumpkin. Preheat your oven to 350º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place pumpkin pieces cut side down on the baking sheet. TIP: Don't season with pumpkin pie spice or drizzle with olive oil for the purest puree. Bake the pumpkin in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until it can be easily pierced with a fork.

Puree the Pumpkin. Let the pumpkin cool slightly. When it's cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh of the pumpkin away from the skin and either place in a food processor, an upright blender, an immersion blender, or mash in a bowl with a potato masher or fork until you get a smooth consistency.

Strain the Pumpkin. To get a smooth pumpkin puree, you're going to want to strain the excess liquid from the pumpkin before using. Transfer the puree into a fine mesh strainer, a quad-lined cheesecloth or coffee filter over a large bowl, pressing gently. You can use your homemade puree immediately in your favorite pumpkin recipes, or store for later. To store, place the puree into a ziplock freezer-safe bag, squeeze out the air, label, and freeze for a rainy baking day! You can also freeze the pumpkin in ice cube trays or souper cubes for easy storage.