Can You Freeze Pumpkin Puree?

Whether you have leftover store-bought pumpkin puree or made a large batch of the homemade stuff, it’s a shame to let it go to waste. Can you freeze pumpkin puree? You’re not the only one who thought of this, and the answer is yes! Storing pumpkin puree in the freeze will give you months to use it and we’ll show you how to do it!

I’ve had leftover pumpkin puree from recipes that call for less than a can so many times. Also, roasting a whole pumpkin to make homemade pumpkin puree will produce a large quantity, and what better way to increase its shelf life than to freeze it?

The thawed puree will be just as good as fresh and you can use it in all sorts of dishes, including baked goods.

🎃Can You Freeze Pumpkin Puree?

Yes! The freezer is a great place to keep pumpkin puree fresh for longer, whether store-bought or homemade. Frozen and thawed pumpkin puree has the same texture and flavor as the fresh variety, as long as it is stored properly.

❄️How Long Does Pumpkin Puree Last In The Freezer?

Pumpkin puree is not recommended for home canning, so freezing it is the best option for long-term preservation. The shelf life for refrigerated pumpkin puree, is only 3-4 days, regardless if your puree is homemade or comes from an opened can of pumpkin.

It will last up to a year in the freezer although it should be consumed within 3 months for the best taste and texture.

🥣How To Make Pumpkin Puree At Home

This will always be a 1-ingredient recipe and you have to love those! I recommend you choose sugar or pie pumpkins because these are some of the best varieties for cooking and baking.

Make sure you use some of it right away. Fresh pumpkin puree is delicious!

Our homemade pumpkin puree recipe covers instructions for the Instant Pot, slow cooker, and steamer.

If you don’t have these appliances, you can also bake your pumpkins which will slightly caramelize the flesh for a richer and sweeter taste without added sugar.

Oven Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Wash your pumpkin(s), cut them in half, and scoop out the seeds and the stringy pulp. (Don’t throw away the seeds, use them to make air fryer roasted pumpkin seeds. It’s a fantastic easy snack!).
• Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will make cleanup so much easier, trust me.
• Poke a few holes in the skin of the pumpkin halves. This will let some of the steam that escapes go between the flesh and the skin and make peeling so much easier.
• Roast the pumpkins for 40-45 minutes or until they become super soft (fork tender) and the skin looks blistered.
• Remove from the oven, and let them cool off completely.
• Peel off the skin of each pumpkin half and transfer the pumpkin flesh to an immersion blender, a regular blender, or a food processor. If you don’t have any of these appliances, you can use a potato masher.
• Process until smooth.
• Transfer the pumpkin puree to a strainer lined with cheesecloth and let it strain for a couple of hours.
• Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days, or use the instructions below for freezer storage. In the freezer, pumpkin puree stays good for up to 3 months.

🧊How To Freeze Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkins are very affordable while in season, and so is canned pumpkin puree. As long as you have some space in the freezer it’s totally worth buying or making pumpkin puree in bulk.

There are several methods for storing pumpkin puree in the freezer, and we’ll discuss the most convenient ones.

In A Ziplock Bag

A quart-sized resealable freezer bag will hold an entire can of pumpkin puree which is about 15 ounces. Of course, this works for homemade pumpkin puree as well.

Flatten the bags after filling them with puree and freeze them on a baking sheet. This will make them take up less space in the freezer. They will also thaw faster.

Keep in mind this quantity is good for making a pumpkin pie, or pumpkin bread.

In A Muffin Tin Or An Ice Cube Tray

Your trusty muffin tin is also suitable for portioning pumpkin puree for the freezer. Each cavity will hold 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree which is a good measure for recipes such as soups and muffins.

Simply fill the muffin tin, and freeze it. Then, you can remove the frozen pucks of pumpkin puree and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.

Or scoop the pumpkin flesh using a cup measure, place it a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap, and keep it in the freezer until solid.

You can keep the pucks separated using Press’n Seal or regular clingfilm. This extra layer will also protect them from freezer burn.

An ice cube tray also works and will give you one-tablespoon portions that are perfect for smoothies.

Once the pumpkin is frozen solid, you can move the cubes to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for long-term storage.

In An Airtight Container

This option is also very convenient but I recommend you consider the total weight of the puree per container so you don’t end up with leftovers after thawing. Also, make sure the containers you use are actually freezer-safe.

❗❗Expert Tips For Freezing Pumpkin Puree

• Always label the bags or containers with the date and the weight of your pumpkin puree portions. This will help a lot when you need to thaw some for a recipe and you don’t want to end up with leftovers.
• When portioning pumpkin puree using an ice cube tray or a muffin tin, smooth out the surface of the pumpkin so it will have an even shape when frozen.
• Never fill bags or containers all the way up when freezing. Water-rich foods will expand in the freezer so be sure to leave some headspace.

💦How To Thaw Frozen Pumpkin Puree

Can you freeze pumpkin puree? Now that we covered this question, another one pops up: how do you thaw it?

Thawing pumpkin puree is super easy and there’s more than one way to do it.

• Let it sit in the fridge for 12-24 hours. This is the ideal option but also the most time-consuming.
• Leave it on the counter for up to 3 hours. For food safety, I don’t recommend leaving it at room temperature longer than this.
• If the puree is in a ziplock bag or an airtight container you can place it in a bowl of cold water to speed up the thawing process.
• Need that pumpkin puree ASAP? Place the frozen portions in a microwave-safe dish and heat it in 30-second intervals.

Note: If you plan to use frozen pumpkin puree cubes for a smoothie there is no need to thaw it. Just toss those cubes into the blender with the rest of the ingredients.

✔️How To Use Thawed Pumpkin Puree

In general, thawed pumpkin puree can be used the same as the fresh kind.

If you notice some liquid separation in the thawed puree don’t drain it. Just give it a good stir. This is especially important for baked goods where the total water content can influence how the recipe turns out.

Frozen cubes of pumpkin puree don’t need thawing to be used in smoothies or soups.

🍲Pumpkin Puree Recipes

You learned pumpkin puree can be frozen, how to make your own, and how to thaw it. Now it’s time to explore the pumpkin flavor in all kinds of recipes.

Pumpkin puree adds moisture and acts as a binder in baked goods and various batters such as pancakes, cookies, and breads. It’s also the core ingredient of a good homemade pumpkin pie filling.

I also enjoy it in smoothies, overnight oats, granola, and ice cream.

If you’re a true fan of the pumpkin flavor, then you definitely have some favorite desserts and sweet treats using it.

Feel free to share them in the comments section, I am always looking forward to trying new pumpkin puree recipes!

When you also feel like trying something new, you can’t go wrong with my pumpkin oatmeal breakfast cookies, healthy pumpkin yogurt muffins, air fryer pumpkin muffins, or this gorgeous-looking pumpkin delight dessert. All of them are fast recipes that will let you enjoy a homemade treat with minimal effort.

Of course, pumpkin puree can be used to make some amazing savory dishes. We’re smitten with this savory pumpkin pizza. It’s different than your classic pizza recipes, yet so good!

This slow-cooker salsa chicken is a family favorite that saves me on the days I don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen.

On chilly days I love this warming Vitamix pumpkin soup recipe for the quick prep and fantastic flavor. Another option is to substitute pumpkin puree in this Instant Pot butternut squash soup recipe.

Let’s not forget about the versatile pumpkin spice flavor. It’s an amazing addition to all sorts of recipes, including healthy snacks like these roasted pumpkin pie spice pecans. We used homemade pumpkin spice and it was totally worth making it. You just need cinnamon, ginger, ground cloves, and nutmeg to make your own!

❓F.A.Q.