How to Cook Pumpkin in the Slow Cooker

Oct 01, 2019Updated Oct 16, 2024

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The easiest way to cook pumpkin is in the slow cooker! No oven required to make a perfect pumpkin puree for all your recipe needs.

Pumpkin season is my favorite. Did you know you can make homemade pumpkin puree in the slow cooker with only two ingredients? No harmful chemicals from a canned product, just fresh pumpkin ready for your recipes. We use this puree in our slow cooker pumpkin pie recipe!

What kind of pumpkins are good for making pie?

Pie pumpkins, often called sugar pumpkins are great for pie making as they are smaller and sweeter.
Large pumpkins can be used for pumpkin puree as well. Do not use pumpkins that have been carved and sitting out as they can be moldy. The puree won’t be quite as sweet but you can offset that with a touch more sugar in your recipe.

close up of bottom of pumpkin. A Sticker with a pie recipe.

How to make fresh pumpkin in the slow cooker:

Start by removing the stems, if they don’t break off easily cut them off with a knife. I am using two 3 pound pie pumpkins for this recipe.
Then cut the pumpkins in half and scrape out the seeds and stringy bits just as you would with a jack-o-lantern. Save the seeds and roast them if desired. Or feed the seeds to chickens if you have them.

2 cut in half pumpkins with seeds spilling out.

Now cut each pumpkin piece one more time so they are now quartered.
You may even need to cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces if you are using a large pumpkin.
Add the pumpkin pieces skin side up in the slow cooker. I do this so the skin doesn’t get soggy and is easy to handle and scrape when done cooking.

raw pumpkin cut into small pieces, seeds removed.

Do I add water?

Yes, I recommend adding a cup of water
Though, many recipes do not add water I think it’s a must. I don’t like to run my slow cooker with items in it dry.
Adding just a cup of water helps make for a moist puree later.

How long do I cook fresh pumpkin in the slow cooker?

Cook on high for 4-5 hours
Or on low for 6 hours.

cooked pumpkin pieces in the slow cooker.

How do I make puree from fresh pumpkin?

Remove the pumpkin pieces onto a sheet pan and let cool for at least 20 minutes.
Take a spoon and remove all the flesh, and discard the skin.

cooked pumpkin pieces on a small sheet pan.

Add the flesh of the pumpkin to a blender or a food processor and add 2 tablespoons of water.
Pulse on high until smooth.

How to store fresh pumpkin puree?

Place the puree into containers, jars or ziplock bags. I do not recommend water bath canning pumpkin puree, it is too thick to can correctly.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

pureed pumpkin in a food processer with spoon in it.

What kind of dessert recipes can I make with pumpkin puree?

3 glass jars of pumpkin puree. 2 mini pumpkins next to them.

What kind of savory recipes can I make with pumpkin puree?

Other great ideas for pumpkin puree:

Stir into oatmeal
Make baby food

I can’t wait to share more recipes here on the blog with you once I start using this extra pumpkin puree I now have. I hope you are enjoying the how-to recipes here on The Magical Slow Cooker.