How to Cook a Whole Pumpkin in an Instant Pot (Homemade Pumpkin Puree)

It's easy to cook a whole pumpkin in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker! Are you ready to bake all the fall pumpkin spice recipes but can't find canned pumpkin on the store shelves? Did you grow your own pie pumpkins and just want to make your own pumpkin puree? I'll show you step-by-step ... no mixer or blender needed.

Y'all, this Instant Pot recipe cannot be any easier! It would even be a great "first time" Instant Pot recipe for beginners. It's literally one pumpkin and a cup of water and hands-off cooking.

Can you use any pumpkin for cooking?

Any small (one to 3 pound) pumpkin can be cooked in a 6 quart Instant Pot but not all pumpkins are created equal-not all are best for cooking.

What's the difference in a decorative pumpkin and a pie pumpkin?

A few years ago, I wrote an article for Christian Woman magazine called There's More to Pumpkin Than Pie. I explained that although all pumpkins are in the cucumber/gourd family they are not all the same.

There are pie pumpkins (also called sugar pumpkins) to cook with and then there are carving pumpkins to decorate the porch (also called jack-o'-lantern pumpkins).

A pie pumpkin has a smoother, less stringy texture, much lighter in color, and is sweeter than the deep orange, giant pumpkin you have probably carved or painted.

Pie pumpkins will most often be sold in the produce section of a grocery store or farmers market and will be labeled pie pumpkin or sugar pumpkin.

How to cook a whole pumpkin in an Instant Pot

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• Remove the stem from a 2 to 3 pound pie pumpkin and place on the trivet in the Instant Pot insert pot.
• Cook on Manual or Pressure Cook for 23 to 25 minutes (see recipe); Natural Release pressure.
• Carefully remove the pumpkin using the trivet to transfer it to a bowl.
• Using a large spoon cut away the pumpkin rind. It will be very soft.

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• Slice pumpkin in half and gently remove the seeds and pulp.
• The pumpkin will be soft enough to simply mash with a fork or potato masher.
• I like to drain the pumpkin for about 15 minutes, if necessary, in a sieve to remove any liquid.

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• If you want to replace a 15-ounce can of pumpkin with your fresh pumpkin puree, measure 1 1/2 cups plus 1 1/2 tablespoons.
• You can also weigh out 15 ounces on a kitchen scale.
• Store your pumpkin puree in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Can I eat pumpkin seeds with the shell?

Yes, the outer shell of pumpkin seeds can be eaten although they can be a little tough even when roasted. Just think of it as extra fiber.

The insides of the pumpkin seeds are called pepitas. They are chalk full of protein, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and a slew of good-for-you nutrients. Real Simple shares 8 recipes to make with roasted pumpkin seeds.

What can I make with homemade pumpkin puree?

• My favorite fall dessert right now is Pumpkin Spice Dumplings (Made with Crescent Rolls). It uses pumpkin puree!
• Serve it as a side dish in place of a baked sweet potato with a little butter...and maybe a little cinnamon sugar.
• Any recipe that calls for canned pumpkin puree or butternut squash.
• Baby food! Save money and make your own first foods. Be sure to use a pie pumpkin. Jack-o'-Lantern pumpkins are typically too coarse and stringy.

Is there a pumpkin shortage this year?

It's no secret the past couple of years has been a bit out of the ordinary for everyone. The aluminum shortage has affected the availability of canned soft drinks as well as other canned items.

There shouldn't be a shortage of pumpkins grown this year. Transporting pumpkins and cans of pumpkin puree across the country may be the issue due to a lack of workers picking them, processing them and driving trucks where they need to be delivered.

If you experience a shortage of canned pumpkin puree or you bought a pie pumpkin from a local market (or grew your own) and want to make your own pumpkin puree, I've got you covered! My step-by-step photos and directions make it easy-as-pie. (See what I did there?)

Other fall recipes you will love

Pumpkin Spice Dumplings (Made with Crescent Rolls)

Mandarin Orange Pumpkin Treats

Apple and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Persimmon Spice Sheet Cake with Maple Frosting

Roasted Purple Cauliflower

Pan-Seared Pork Chops and Fried Cinnamon Apples

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