How to Cook a Whole Pumpkin in a Slow Cooker

You won’t believe how easy it is to cook a whole pumpkin in a slow cooker. Yes it really is so easy no cooking experience needed.

How to Cook a Whole Pumpkin

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

What are the best pumpkins for roasting?

The best pumpkins for roasting are pumpkin pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins. They are small round pumpkins. They are small enough to cut in half to fit inside a large 6 quart slow cooker like this one. These smaller pumpkins contain a higher sugar content than the larger jack-o-lantern sized pumpkins. Therefore, they are better to eat and have a sweet rich pumpkin flavor.

How do you prepare a pumpkin?

You can pick up a small round pumpkin pie pumpkin at the store. They normally go on sale around October. First wash the outside of your pumpkin, since they may have some dirt on the outside. Then take a large knife like this one and try to cut the pumpkin in half. Just do your best.

Surprise! The pumpkin is hallow inside. I have to laugh, since the first time my mom cut open a pumpkin she called my dad crying. She was so upset, since there was nothing inside. She had no idea that pumpkin were hallow with the seeds inside.

Now that the pumpkin is open, get a large spoon and scoop out the insides aka guts. Take the pumpkin guts and pick out the seeds. You can roast these later. Throw away the other stringy stuff or use for compost in your garden. Now your pumpkin is ready to cook.

How do you puree a pumpkin?

After the pumpkin is cooked in your slow cooker, using a spoon, scoop out all the soft insides. At this point the skin is very soft. Try not to get the skins while scooping out the pumpkin pulp. Once all the pulp is removed use a hand blender like this one I use or a blender like this one to puree the pumpkin to a smooth texture for baking.

If you love this recipe, please consider rating it with the star rating system below and leaving me a comment. It warms my heart hearing from you and seeing the recipes you create! Share your creations on Instagram and tag me @mainlyhomemade and use #mainlyhomemade, or you can also find me on Facebook, and Pinterest. Thanks for helping me spread the word about homemade delicious food!

Print

How to Cook A Whole Pumpkin

The easiest recipe for how to cook a whole pumpkin in a slow cooker you will find! Perfect for pies, soups, muffins, and much more!

Course Side

Cuisine American

Keyword cook a whole pumpkin, slow cooker

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Slow cooker on High 4 hours

Servings 2

Author Amy

Ingredients

• 1 Small baking pumpkin Pumpkin Pie pumpkin or Sugar Pumpkin
• 2 cups Water

Instructions

1. First wash any dirt off the outside of the pumpkin.

2. Next cut the pumpkin in half with a large sharp knife.

3. Clean the pumpkin guts out using a spoon. Scrape the sides to get all the stringy things and the seeds out. Wash the seeds and throw the strings away. Don't throw away the seeds. You can roast them later.

4. Place 2 cups of water in a slow cooker. Then place the pumpkin inside.

5. Cook on high for 4 hours or slow for 8 hours.

6. Scrape out all the pulp and blend with a blender to have pumpkin puree.

Recipe Notes

• Save the seed to roast them later
• Use the pumpkin puree to make muffins, soups, and breads.

What can you make with a whole roasted pumpkin?

You can make so many things. Especially if you love pumpkin as much as I do. First get this pumpkin pie spice recipe, since you are going to need it to make all of these amazing recipes. It makes pumpkin puree for baby food, pumpkin chili, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice doughnuts. If you make any of these please let me know and tag me on Instagram. I can’t wait to see what you make.