How To Make Pumpkin Puree Out Of Pie Pumpkins

Making pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins is actually way easier than most people think.
 
All you need is a pie pumpkin, a sharp knife, and a hot oven.
 
If you’ve been buying canned pumpkin puree every fall, you’re about to save yourself some money and impress everyone at the table.
 
Homemade pumpkin puree from pie pumpkins tastes fresher, sweeter, and honestly, way more satisfying.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins, the best pie pumpkins to use, and how to store your puree so it lasts.
 
Let’s get roasting.
 

Why Make Pumpkin Puree Out Of Pie Pumpkins?

Making pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins is worth it for a few solid reasons.
 
Here’s why fresh is better:
 

1. Pie Pumpkins Actually Taste Better

Pie pumpkins are small, sweet, and dense with flesh, which is exactly what you want for pumpkin puree.
 
The big carving pumpkins you see on porches are watery and stringy, so they make terrible puree.
 
So when you make pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins, you get a rich, flavorful result that canned pumpkin can’t touch.
 

2. No Additives or Preservatives

When you make pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins at home, you know exactly what’s in it.
 
Just pumpkin, nothing else.
 
Store-bought pumpkin puree is convenient, but homemade gives you full control over freshness and quality.
 

3. It’s Cheaper Than Canned

One pie pumpkin usually yields about 1 ½ to 2 cups of pumpkin puree.
 
Compared to canned pumpkin prices, making pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins saves you money, especially if you’re baking a lot this season.
 

How To Make Pumpkin Puree Out Of Pie Pumpkins (Step By Step)

Learning how to make pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins takes about an hour, mostly hands-off time.
 
Here’s the process:
 

1. Pick The Right Pie Pumpkins

Choose pie pumpkins that are small, heavy for their size, and free of soft spots.
 
The best pie pumpkins are the sugar pie variety, which are naturally sweet and perfect for making pumpkin puree.
 

2. Wash and Cut Your Pie Pumpkins

Rinse your pie pumpkins under cold water to remove dirt.
 
Then slice off the stem and cut each pumpkin in half lengthwise.
 
A sharp, heavy knife makes this easier, and please be careful because pie pumpkins can be tough to cut.
 

3. Scoop Out the Seeds and Strings

Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to remove the seeds and stringy bits from the center.
 
Don’t toss the seeds, you can roast them for a snack later.
 

4. Roast Your Pie Pumpkins

Place the pie pumpkins cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
 
Roast at 400°F for 35 to 45 minutes, until the flesh is fork-tender and the skin looks wrinkled.
 
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness, which is key when making pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins.
 

5. Scoop and Blend the Flesh

Let the pie pumpkins cool for about 15 minutes.
 
Then scoop the soft flesh into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
 
That’s genuinely all there is to making pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins.
 

Tips For Making Pumpkin Puree Out Of Pie Pumpkins

A few tricks will make your homemade pumpkin puree even better.
 

1. Drain Excess Water

Pie pumpkins are less watery than carving pumpkins, but some moisture still sneaks in.
 
After blending, let your pumpkin puree sit in a fine mesh strainer for 15 to 30 minutes to drain excess liquid.
 
This keeps your puree thick and prevents soggy pies.
 

2. Don’t Overblend

Overblending whips air into the pumpkin puree, making it foamy and thin.
 
Pulse until smooth, then stop.
 

3. Use the Right Pie Pumpkins

Stick with sugar pie pumpkins or similar small varieties.
 
Big pumpkins labeled for carving will give you a watery, flavorless puree every time.
 

How To Store Pumpkin Puree

Once you’ve made pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins, you’ll want to store it properly.
 
Here’s how:
 

1. Refrigerator Storage

Keep pumpkin puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
 

2. Freezer Storage

Freeze pumpkin puree in 1-cup portions using freezer bags or ice cube trays.
 
It stays fresh for up to 6 months, so you can enjoy your homemade pie pumpkins puree all year.
 

3. Canning Pumpkin Puree

Canning pumpkin puree at home isn’t recommended because it’s too dense for safe processing.
 
Freezing is the safer route when preserving pumpkin puree from pie pumpkins.
 

So, How Do You Make Pumpkin Puree Out Of Pie Pumpkins?

You make pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins by washing, halving, and roasting them until tender, then scooping and blending the flesh until smooth.
 
It’s a simple process with a big payoff in flavor and freshness.
 
Whether you’re baking pies, whipping up soups, or sneaking pumpkin into muffins, homemade pumpkin puree from pie pumpkins beats canned any day.
 
Now you know exactly how to make pumpkin puree out of pie pumpkins, so grab a few sugar pie pumpkins and get roasting.