10 Ways to Use Pumpkin Guts After You Carve Your Jack-o'-Lantern

After you’ve carved your pumpkin, you’re probably used to turning on the oven and roasting pumpkin seeds, but what about all those orange, gooey pumpkin guts? Typically, those get tossed right into the trash after creating a splattery mess all over the porch. But have you ever considered putting them to use? Because they’re packed with vitamins, fall flavor, and even exfoliating properties, those pumpkin guts are the equivalent of orange gold—if you know how to use them.

Depending on whether you talk to a chef, a gardener, or a beauty expert, you’ll end up with totally different ideas on how to use those pumpkin guts, and nearly all of the ideas require only beginner-level skills in the yard or kitchen. However, Ren Elizabeth, the gardener and homesteader behind Eco Friendly Homestead, explains that not all pumpkins are tasty to eat, so if you plan to give your pumpkin a second life in the kitchen, choose wisely. "Certain varieties, such as Montana Jack, Cinderella, Sundream, Cherokee Bush, and Cornfield Pumpkin, have the classic Halloween shape and color but are also really enjoyable to eat," says Elizabeth.

Once the pumpkin carving tools are put away and the spookiest of decor is out, it’s time to get to work. Whether you decide to use your pumpkin guts in a recipe, slather them on your face, or spread them in your garden, here are 10 ways you can use them after you’ve carved your jack-o'-lantern.

Make a DIY Face Mask

Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, minerals, and exfoliating enzymes, so Heather Smith, a physician and founder of plant-based skincare brand bareLUXE Skincare, recommends using those leftover pumpkin guts for a DIY face mask. "When you use the pulp as a face mask, you'll be left with plump, soft, and glowing skin," says Smith. 

She suggests pureeing the guts to work through the stringy bits, until you have 1/4 cup of pulp. Then, add a tablespoon of face oil and a tablespoon of honey. "Smooth a small amount of the mixture onto your face and wait 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water," Smith says.

Boost Your Oatmeal

Because of all those vitamins, pumpkin is also a nutritious way to start your day. "Boost your breakfast by blending fresh pumpkin guts to create a flavorful, nutritious oatmeal delight with a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped apple," says Shy Vishnumohan, food scientist and dietitian. It’s like a pumpkin pie in the morning, and what could be better?

Blend Them Into a Soup

"You can use the 'guts' and stingy innards in a blended pumpkin soup," says Rebecca Pytell, recipe developer and food blogger at Strength and Sunshine. Make sure to puree them first so you get a silky texture in your delicious fall soup. Try a savory pumpkin soup with sage, or blend it with butternut squash for a quintessential meeting of the fall flavors. 

Freeze Pumpkin Guts in Ice Cube Trays

"To reduce food waste this Halloween, puree and freeze your pumpkin guts in ice cube trays and feed it to your dogs," says Lauren Click, founder of Let’s Go Compost. Pumpkin is not only a vitamin-packed superfood for dogs, it’s also easy for them to digest. There are no worries about toxicity here. 

Compost the Guts

Pumpkin is an easy and simple food to compost, particularly when it’s been broken up. "Compost pumpkin in your at-home compost bin or using a white-glove curbside compost collection service. A zero-waste Halloween every ghoul can enjoy," says Click. Try cutting up the pumpkin first to make sure it will decompose quickly, particularly if you keep your compost in your own backyard. This nutrient-rich compost is perfect for adding to your garden, giving all of your plants an extra boost of vitamins.

Use Pumpkin Guts to Flavor Broth

Toss the guts into a broth along with other vegetable scraps, like onion skins, garlic skins, carrot tops, and fennel stalks. These veggie leftovers will add flavor with little effort. "Add all the scraps to a big pot and cover with water. Let simmer on the stove for at least six hours, or use an Instant Pot for one hour. Strain off all the solids, and you're left with nutritious broth to add to soups, risotto, and other fall dishes," says Elizabeth.

Feed the Birds

If you have birds that hang around your yard, like crows or ravens, they’ll gladly take the pumpkin guts off your hands—and that feels fitting for spooky season, right? But you can also feed them to more domesticated animals. "Chickens love pumpkin, so if you have chickens, pass the pumpkin on to them," Elizabeth says.

Make a Pumpkin Hummus

Use the pumpkin guts to add fall flavor to hummus, says Brian Theis, a recipe developer, food blogger, and cookbook author of The Infinite Feast. "Make pumpkin hummus with pureed pumpkin guts, then sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds on top," Theis says.

Turn the Guts Into Something Sweet

The sweet, cinnamon-laced smell of fall baked goods brings back so many memories, and Kyle Swarzendruber, executive chef at Soby's New South Cuisine, suggests using those pumpkin guts for some of your favorite autumnal desserts. "Use the puree as a base to make a bread or a delightful end to your meal by creating a pumpkin spice ice cream," he says. You can also try pumpkin cookies, muffins, and anything else your baking heart can dream up.

Add the Guts to Smoothies

"Mixing pumpkin guts into smoothies is an excellent way to add natural sweetness and tons of fiber," says Nilufer Danis, landscape architect and garden designer. She recommends blending the mixture on high speed for at least one minute for a smooth, pureed texture that doesn’t leave stringy guts behind.