Quick Answer
15 ounces of pureed pumpkin is equal to about 1 3/4 cups or 425 grams. Pureed pumpkin is a thick, smooth mixture made by cooking fresh pumpkin flesh and then blending or mashing it to a uniform consistency. It’s a handy ingredient to keep on hand for baking quick breads, pancakes, muffins, pies, and other autumnal treats.
Calculating Ounces to Cups
To understand how much 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin is in cup measurements, it helps to know some conversions:
- 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
- 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
- 2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
- 3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
Using these conversions:
- 15 ounces = 30 tablespoons (since 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons)
- 30 tablespoons = 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons
So 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin is approximately 1 3/4 cups. The extra 2 tablespoons brings it close to 1 4/5 cups or just under 2 full cups.
Ounces to Grams Conversion
Metric measurements are also handy to know when cooking and baking. To find out how many grams are in 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin:
- 1 ounce = 28 grams
- So 15 ounces = 15 x 28 grams
- 15 x 28 = 420 grams
Rounding up slightly, 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin equates to about 425 grams.
Volume and Weight Comparisons
Putting both the cup and gram measurements together:
- 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin is roughly 1 3/4 cups OR 425 grams
The volume (cups) and weight (grams) amounts are not exactly equivalent conversions, but they are close enough for most everyday kitchen needs.
When baking, it’s always best to use a precise measurement like weighing grams on a scale rather than relying on cup measurements which can vary. But for general cooking purposes, knowing that 15 ounces makes about 1 3/4 cups of pureed pumpkin is fine.
Start with a 2-3 Pound Fresh Pumpkin
Wondering where to begin if you want to end up with 15 ounces of homemade pureed pumpkin?
Plan to start with a 2-3 pound sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin. Here is a rough guideline:
- 2 pound pumpkin = about 3 cups pureed
- 3 pound pumpkin = about 4 1/2 cups pureed
The yield can vary based on the size and shape of the pumpkin. But a small to medium pumpkin in the 2-3 pound range should give you plenty of flesh to yield at least 15 ounces or 1 3/4 cups of puree.
How to Make Pureed Pumpkin
Making your own homemade pureed pumpkin is relatively easy if you follow these steps:
- Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
- Place the pumpkin halves cut-side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until very soft when pierced with a fork.
- Let the roasted pumpkin cool slightly.
- Scoop the flesh out of the skin into a food processor or blender.
- Puree until completely smooth.
Roasting concentrates the flavor and brings out the pumpkin’s natural sweetness. The final puree will be soft, silky, and bright orange.
Pro tip: You can also cook the pumpkin pieces in simmering water or steam them until tender before pureeing. This yields a smoother, less grainy texture.
Simple Pumpkin Puree Storage
Homemade pumpkin puree can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the puree for up to 3 months. Here are some tips:
- Allow pureed pumpkin to cool completely before storing.
- Transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Label with the date and amount.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Thaw frozen puree overnight in the fridge before using.
Having some pre-made pumpkin puree in the freezer makes it so easy to bake delicious pumpkin breads, muffins, and more anytime you get a craving.
Pumpkin Puree Nutrition Facts
Pureed pumpkin is not only tasty, it’s also packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin A – One cup provides over 100% of your daily vitamin A needs. This vitamin is vital for eye health.
- Vitamin C – Each serving contains nearly 20% of your daily vitamin C requirement, an essential antioxidant.
- Potassium – With about 561 milligrams per cup, pumpkin puree provides potassium which is important for blood pressure regulation, nerve and muscle function.
- Fiber – A 1/2 cup serving delivers 7 grams of fiber, supporting digestion and heart health.
So pureed pumpkin is certainly more than just a seasoning for fall baked goods. It’s a nutritious, wholesome food.
Uses for Pureed Pumpkin
Besides being the characteristic ingredient in pumpkin pie filling, pureed pumpkin can be used in all sorts of sweet and savory recipes:
Baked Goods
- Pumpkin bread
- Pumpkin muffins
- Pumpkin bundt cake
- Pumpkin cookies
- Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
- Pumpkin pancakes
- Pumpkin scones
- Pumpkin cinnamon rolls
Breakfast
- Pumpkin oatmeal
- Pumpkin overnight oats
- Pumpkin chia seed pudding
- Pumpkin smoothie bowls
Dips and Spreads
- Pumpkin hummus
- Pumpkin yogurt dip
- Pumpkin butter
Soups
- Pumpkin soup
- Butternut squash pumpkin soup
- Curried pumpkin apple soup
- Creamy pumpkin tortellini soup
Sauces
- Pumpkin Alfredo sauce
- Pumpkin mac and cheese
- Pumpkin pasta sauce
- Pumpkin chili
Beverages
- Pumpkin spice latte
- Pumpkin milkshake
- Pumpkin smoothie
As you can see, the possibilities are endless for enjoying pureed pumpkin in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in everything from drinks and oatmeal to pasta sauce and soup.
Substituting Canned Pumpkin
While freshly pureed pumpkin has the best flavor and texture, canned pumpkin puree can be used as a shortcut:
- Replace 1 cup homemade pumpkin puree with 1 cup canned puree.
- Canned puree has a slightly different consistency but can be swapped in most recipes.
- Choose 100% pure pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling which has added sugar and spices.
Check the recipe directions since some baked goods rely on the moisture content of homemade puree. Canned may affect texture.
But for quick weeknight meals, dip, or a smoothie, canned works perfectly well as a substitute.
Pumpkin Puree vs. Fresh Pumpkin
Why use pureed pumpkin instead of just chopped fresh pumpkin in recipes? There are some advantages to pureeing it:
- Pureeing breaks down fiber and makes nutrients more bioavailable.
- The smooth, uniform texture integrates into recipes easily.
- Pureeing concentrates the flavor resulting in sweeter, more intense pumpkin taste.
- Pureed pumpkin works well in beverages and smoothies.
- Puree can be easily measured for recipes and baking.
While fresh diced pumpkin works great in some dishes, puree is often better for baking, spreads, and sauces.
Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling
It’s important not to confuse unsweetened pumpkin puree with pumpkin pie filling when baking.
- Pumpkin puree contains only pumpkin flesh and no added ingredients.
- Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar, spices, and sometimes eggs and evaporated milk.
- Substituting one for the other can throw off a recipe entirely.
- Always check labels and recipe ingredients closely.
Pure unsweetened pumpkin provides the right neutral canvas for adding your own flavors. Pie filling is pre-seasoned and sweetened for making quick pies.
In Conclusion
So what is 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin equal to? Approximately:
- 1 3/4 cups
- 425 grams
This amount gives you plenty of pumpkin puree for baking several muffins, breads, or pies. Understanding cup and gram conversions allows you to measure your pumpkin puree precisely.
With its stellar nutrition stats and incredibly versatile uses, pureed pumpkin is a handy staple to keep on hand. Make your own or sub canned pumpkin for convenience.
Use pureed pumpkin to create both sweet baked goods and savory soups, dips, and sauces. Its smooth texture and bright orange color enliven any dish.
