Cook a Whole Pumpkin in the Instant Pot (It’s So Easy!)

Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree

prep time: 2 MINUTES

cook time: 12 MINUTES

total time: 14 MINUTES

Ingredients

  • small pumpkin (2 pounds, preferably pie pumpkin variety)
  • 1 cup water

Directions

1

Wash pumpkin and cut off stem.

2

Place inside Instant Pot on top of trivet, and pour in water.

3

Secure lid and cook on Manual setting for 12 minutes.

4

Let Instant Pot naturally release for around 12 minutes.

5

Open lid and let cool.

6

Pull up on trivet to remove pumpkin and pour out water.

7

Peel away the skin, cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds, and place pumpkin back in the pot. Purée with hand blender or mash well with a potato masher.

8

Keep refrigerated in a covered container for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6-8 months.

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14 Comments
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small pumpkin inside Instant Pot

Today I’m sharing how to cook a whole pumpkin in your Instant Pot and easily make pumpkin purée! 🎃

If you’re a fan of fall baking like I am, then canned pumpkin purée is probably a pantry staple in your home too during this time of year. But many bakers who have tried using their own freshly puréed pumpkin in place of the canned stuff have found that the difference in taste is totally worth the effort.

What’s more, I’ve been having the hardest time locating pumpkin purée on store shelves this season for my fall baking! 😬

pumpkin puree in measuring cup next to an Instant Pot

Luckily for Instant Pot owners, this handy kitchen appliance makes it easy to prepare your own homemade pumpkin purée. I just tested it out in my own 6-quart Instant Pot and got excellent results!

whole pumpkin in instant pot

Tips for making pumpkin purée in your Instant Pot:

  • I started out with a small 2-pound pumpkin that was advertised at the store as a “Pie Pumpkin.” This produced about 2 full cups of pumpkin purée. If you have a larger 8-quart Instant Pot, you may be able to fit a medium-sized pumpkin.
  • You can definitely cut up your pumpkin into several pieces first if it doesn’t fit, but I think throwing a smaller one in there whole is what makes this process so easy!
  • After cooking your pumpkin for 12 minutes in the Instant Pot, the skin will be super soft and you’ll be able to easily peel it off. Then, just cut in half to remove the seeds and purée it with a hand blender right in the same pot!

whole pumpkin in instant pot for puree

peeling away skin

taking pumpkin guts and seeds out of instant pot

pureeing pumpkin with hand blender


Print

Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree

prep time: 2 MINUTES

cook time: 12 MINUTES

total time: 14 MINUTES

Skip the storebought cans and cook/puree pumpkin in the Instant Pot pressure cooker!

Ingredients

  • small pumpkin (2 pounds, preferably pie pumpkin variety)
  • 1 cup water

Directions

1

Wash pumpkin and cut off stem.

2

Place inside Instant Pot on top of trivet, and pour in water.

3

Secure lid and cook on Manual setting for 12 minutes.

4

Let Instant Pot naturally release for around 12 minutes.

5

Open lid and let cool.

6

Pull up on trivet to remove pumpkin and pour out water.

7

Peel away the skin, cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds, and place pumpkin back in the pot. Purée with hand blender or mash well with a potato masher.

8

Keep refrigerated in a covered container for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6-8 months.

Brought to you by Hip2Save.

instant pot pumpkin puree in pyrex measuring cup

It turns out that this method is a super convenient way to cook and purée a pumpkin in the same bowl with very little effort. I’ve always just grabbed canned pumpkin purée from the grocery store, but I will definitely consider this method from now on since it was was so simple!

pumpkin mug cake on plate with whipped cream

Need ideas to make use of all that pumpkin purée?

Consider making Pumpkin Swiss Roll, Crock-Pot Pumpkin Chili, Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake, and Pumpkin Spice Creamer. Yum!


Check out more of our favorite pumpkin recipes right here!


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 14

  1. Amandan

    I just did this with the pie pumpkins I grow in the backyard!

  2. Evie

    Will the skin be soft enough to puree and put into the baking?
    I use the outside as that is where most vitamins and minerals are.
    I too, have noticed, lack of canned pumpkins on shelves.
    Better stock up before the elite turn the world into a giant food bank!

    • Veronika Hortt

      😂😭

    • Kathleen

      We’re also growing as much as we can of fruits and veggies that we eat regularly. I think people will be shocked at the state of the food supply for many things by spring 😥

    • Darlene

      Oh my ! Im doing pumpkin right now & would never use the skin. Im actually “scraping” the cooked flesh off of the skin with a spoon into a bowl. The skin remains tough, would never break down to eat it.

  3. Megan

    I love this idea! My dog has digestive issues. Pumpkin seems to be the only thing that helps her. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, it’s becoming harder and harder to find at stores.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Darn. Yes, this could be so helpful then! Thanks!

  4. E

    I cut up a bigger pumpkin in my 8qt last year. So easy! Going to do that again this year!

  5. Gramma C

    You eat the skin??

  6. debra L williams

    Which setting….low medium or high on instapot please?

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      High.

  7. Beth

    I cooked two pie pumpkins in my IP just this week. I now have 4 bags of frozen pumpkin stored for the holidays.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      That’s so great!!

  8. Donna

    Hi can you purée the skin .Thank You

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