Opened a can of pumpkin and not sure what to do with it? Or, got extra homemade puree? Pumpkin puree lasts only a week in the refrigerator. So if you’re not sure you can use it in time, try freezing it! This squash puree holds up beautifully and you can use it for pumpkin bread, muffins, cake, and other baked goods. We recently tried this with a half-used can of pumpkin our fridge, and it baked into pumpkin chocolate chip muffins like a dream. Here’s what to do!
Can you freeze pumpkin puree?
Pumpkin puree freezes very well: its flavor and creamy texture are perfectly preserved. Homemade or canned pumpkin puree lasts up to 3 months frozen. Some ingredients lose their flavor or texture after defrosting, but pumpkin puree is very stable. If you’ve opened a can that you can’t use within a week, it’s an easy way to save leftovers to make more pumpkin recipes when you’re ready to use it!
How to freeze pumpkin puree
Ready to freeze pumpkin puree? You’ll want to make sure the pumpkin puree is still fresh and not at the end of its shelf life. You can safely store pumpkin puree refrigerated for about 1 week. If you’re worried you won’t use all of it in time, you can pop it into the freezer. Here’s how to do it:
Place the pumpkin puree in an airtight container that’s just large enough to fit it. (Consider freezing in a few smaller containers if you have a large amount.) Label the container with a “Use By” date 3 months in the future. Freeze for up to 3 months. Try to use the defrosted pumpkin puree within 3 days.
How to defrost pumpkin puree
When defrosted from frozen, homemade and canned pumpkin puree keeps its creamy texture. To defrost, simply place in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. Or, you can set the pumpkin puree out at room temperature for a few hours (but not more than 3 hours). Once thawed, do not drain the pumpkin! The liquid is important to include in the recipe. Then you can use the pumpkin in whatever way you like: in pumpkin desserts like pumpkin cookies, bread, muffins, pie, and more.
More pumpkin recipes
There are lots of ways to use canned pumpkin puree: both sweet and savory! Here are a few of our top pumpkin recipes:
Make breakfasts like Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, Pumpkin French Toast, Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes or Pumpkin Waffles Go for savory recipes like Best Pumpkin Chili, Easy Pumpkin Hummus or Pumpkin Pasta Bake up Perfect Pumpkin Bars, Pumpkin Cake or Best Pumpkin Cookies
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