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10 Smart Ways to Use Leftover Canned Pumpkin Purée

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
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updated May 1, 2019
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While there are many recipes that use a full can of pumpkin purée, there are many others that don’t. Finding a good use for leftovers can sometimes prove challenging. Whether you find yourself with a one tablespoon or one cup of leftover pumpkin purée, here are 10 smart (and delicious!) ways to use it up.

1. Make your own pumpkin spice latte.

For a lot of people this is the drink of fall. We say: why buy it when you can make it yourself? If you find yourself with just a couple leftover tablespoons of pumpkin puree, this drink is the number one reason why you need to save them!

Get the recipe: How to Make Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Home

2. Stir it into your favorite chili.

One of the great things about chili is how versatile it is. You can add just about anything. So, whether it’s one tablespoon or one can, we recommend adding pumpkin puree to your next pot of chili. The flavor isn’t very noticeable, but just knowing it’s in there is enough for us.

Get the recipe: A Basic Template for Making Chili on the Fly

3. Add it to a smoothie.

You’ve been adding pumpkin to your coffee, so why not your smoothie? Celebrate autumn and jazz up your smoothie with a little pumpkin puree.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Soft and Easy (Lofthouse-Style) Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting (Image credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani)

4. Use it up in a baking recipe.

From cakes to muffins, cookies and bars, there’s no shortage of tasty fall desserts that use less than one cup of pumpkin puree.

Get a recipe: Soft and Easy (Lofthouse-Style) Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

5. Turn it into a dip.

With football taking over the weekends, fall is the perfect time for dip. Pumpkin puree works especially well with hummus. Make your next batch more seasonal with a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree blended in.

Get the recipe: How to Make Hummus From Scratch

6. Add it to a curry.

Pumpkin puree plays well with so many of the flavors commonly found in curries. You can make a whole recipe centered on squash, or just add a few tablespoons to a finished curry.

Get the recipe: Quick Butternut Squash Curry

Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal (Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

7. Stir it into oats.

Pumpkin oatmeal is a delicious and cozy way to start any fall morning. Just stir a spoonful of pumpkin puree into a prepared bowl of oatmeal. We also love adding a dash of cinnamon and maple syrup.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

8. Jazz up mac and cheese.

The only thing better than a super comforting bowl of creamy mac and cheese is a bowl of pumpkin mac and cheese. This is fall comfort food at its finest. Just sir the pumpkin into the béchamel or melted cheese. We also recommend adding a pinch of ground sage and nutmeg.

Get the recipe: How to Make the Best Macaroni & Cheese on the Stove

9. Make pancakes.

Fall mornings just got a whole lot tastier! Pumpkin pancakes just might be the most delicious thing to hit your breakfast table.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin-Chocolate Chunk Pancakes

10. Freeze it

When in doubt: freeze it! Simply spoon the leftover puree into an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. After the cubes are frozen, remove them from the tray and store in a freezer container or zip-top bag.

What’s your best tip for using up leftover pumpkin puree?