How to cook pumpkin in slow cooker whole is easy to get tender flesh to make homemade puree in Crockpot for dessert recipes or slice and enjoy as a healthy side dish. If you loved our Pressure Cooker Pumpkin this will be another hit this Fall.
Do you only use these gourds to decorate like a Jack o Lantern? They are quite delicious cooked whole and scooped out too though! With a bit of butter and salt and pepper you can enjoy this with dinner or blend until smooth which is how to make pumpkin puree out of a pumpkin from scratch friends. (affiliate links present)
How to Cook a Whole Pumpkin in a Slow Cooker
Ok so we have done this a few different ways, depending on whether we want the flesh to be super smooth or with a bit of crisp on the edges like our Air Fryer Pumpkin Slices recipe. All of them are a wonderful way to enjoy this orange vegetable. Don’t throw them away after the holidays!
I like to use countertop appliances instead of baking in the oven if I can. It takes less energy and doesn’t heat up the whole house. That goes for the whole thing too, don’t forget to make Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds after this baby is done, my kids think they are the best part!
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Crockpot Pumpkin Puree Recipe
- Wash the pie or sugar pumpkin and cut the stem off.
- Cut the pumpkin in half and using a spoon, scrape away and remove the seeds (setting those asside to clean and roast later) and discard the stem.
- Place halves skin side up in a 6 qt size Crock pot or larger.
- Pour in the water and set on high and cook for 3 hours or until tender enough to scoop with a spoon.
- Once cooked, turn off and let rest for about 20-30 minutes to cool slightly.
- Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, get out the insides and blend in a food processor, blender or mash with a fork for a smooth texture to use in your pumpkin pie recipe with pecans.
Don’t forget to roast pumpkin seeds at 400 for a healthy snack too. If you have only used a can of Libby’s to bake desserts in October there is a really easy way to make it from scratch like this. Once you follow the directions below to get the insides soft enough to scoop out with a spoon and into your blender. You really don’t need any liquid but if you want to thin just a bit add a tbsp of water until smooth and then use!
Pumpkin Butter in Slow Cooker
You can also transition the insides into a delicious spread. You just drain the water used to steam initially, blend the flesh in a blender, pour it back into your Crock, add the below ingredients and cook with the lid off on low until it reduces and thickens. Exact recipe is in recipe card below.
- Apple cider is used to thin a bit, amount used depends on how thick you want it
- Brown sugar to make it sweet
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Ground nutmeg depending on how much you like that flavor
- Cinnamon is a nice add in
- A splash of vanilla extract
We share how to make pumpkin butter in pressure cooker here as well with canned puree or fresh flesh which you would have ready to go in this case.
Homemade pumpkin jam
And that is not all, you can use this to create Pumpkin Jam without Pectin too. Once any of them are made you can store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or alternately freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight container
Ingredients
- 3 pound whole pumpkin was just about right for fitting snugly inside the inner lining
- You will need some water to steam your squash essentially until soft
How to soften a pumpkin for cutting
Pierce the Pumpkin using a sharp knife or fork to poke a few holes in the skin. This helps release steam while microwaving and prevents it from bursting. Microwave on 100% high heat for 2-4 minutes. The time will vary depending on the size (ours was 3 lbs.) and wattage of your machine. Let It Cool for a few minutes so it’s easier to handle. Cut now as it should be slightly softened, making it easier to slice.
This comes in handy for other gourds too. If you wanted to How to Roast Squash Whole that is possible too but takes much longer and is harder to get an even cook.
What can I add to pumpkin to make it taste better?
Savory Additions: Garlic adds a bold, aromatic flavor to dishes. Onions adds sweetness and depth when caramelized. Parmesan Cheese adds a salty, umami flavor to risottos, soups, or savory bakes. Sweeteners: Add molasses for a deeper, more robust sweetness. Brown Sugar adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness. Maple Syrup infuses a warm, sweet, and slightly earthy flavor. Honey is a natural sweetener with a floral note.
Whether homemade or canned is typically good for 5 to 7 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. To keep it fresh and safe transfer into an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This helps prevent it from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge and keeps it fresh longer.
1 cup of canned or homemade pumpkin puree contains about 20 grams of carbohydrates. This can vary slightly depending on the brand or the exact type used for puree, but they give a good general guideline.
Pumpkin in Slow Cooker
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin, 3 lbs. was the right size to fit well
- 1 c water
Instructions
- Wash the pumpkin and cut the stem off. Cut in half and using a spoon, scrape away and set the seeds aside to clean if you are roasting those later. Place the pumpkin halves skin side up with flesh (inside) facing down in a 6 qt slow cooker. Pour in the water and set the slow cooker on high and cook for 3 hours.
- Once cooked, turn off and let the pieces rest for about 20-30 minutes to cool slightly. Using a spoon, scoop out the insides out and you can enjoy as is as a side dish with melted butter, salt and pepper on top.
- Crockpot pumpkin puree – If you want to make puree, place scooped tender flesh in a food processor to become very smooth, or mash with a fork to create puree. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator if you aren't using immediately for up to a week, or alternately freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight container
Notes
- 1/4-1/2 c. apple cider depending on how thick you want it
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon and vanilla
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
