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If there is one flavor synonymous with fall baking and cooking, it’s pumpkin (sorry, apple!). From sweet treats like High-Protein Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls to savory appetizers like Pumpkin-Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Rolls, the squash is bound to end up on your table during the fall season. And there’s one ingredient you’ll need on hand to make your dreams come true: canned pumpkin—a convenient, shelf-stable shortcut.
But with so many canned pumpkin options at the grocery store, how do you know which one you should buy? That’s where EatingWell editors come in. We took the guesswork out of it by conducting an anonymous taste test of seven canned pumpkin purees. After trying all the options, there was a clear winner for our editors. Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin is the best canned pumpkin to buy—here’s why.
The Best Canned Pumpkin
Courtesy of Brand
All of our editors chose Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin as their favorite product in the anonymous tasting, as it delivered in all of the categories we examined. Of the products tried, Libby’s puree was on the reddish-orange side (the colors ranged from reddish-orange to yellowish-orange). In fact, the color was a near identical match to the exterior of a pumpkin you might buy.
Libby’s puree had a fresh, earthy scent, on the mellower side, that our testers found pleasant. Meanwhile, the texture was right in the middle of the field. It wasn’t so thick that it was dry and stuck to the roofs of our mouths (like others we tried) and it wasn’t so thin that it was watery. The puree was primarily smooth, with a few chunks in it for added texture. We could see this puree mixing readily to make our Easy Pumpkin Pie.
The flavor of the puree was mild, but the pumpkin notes were clear. It had a slight sweetness and a little acidity. One tester noted that the taste is “just what you want!” Compared to others we tried, Libby’s puree was also free of bitterness and didn’t leave an unpleasant aftertaste. We liked the milder flavor of the puree, which makes it easily adaptable to any sweet or savory recipe. So the next time you’re craving something pumpkin-y, take our editors’ recommendation and grab a can of Libby’s.
Our Taste Test
Alex Loh
For the test, all contenders had to be nationally available products. Other brands we considered included Whole Foods, Farmer’s Market, Good & Gather, Great Value, One-Pie and Trader Joe’s. We tasted the purees on their own so the pumpkin wasn’t masked by any other flavors. We made notes on the visual appearance, smell, texture and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is pumpkin puree?Pumpkin puree is mashed cooked pumpkin. The majority of canned pumpkin comes from Dickinson pumpkins, which are also called Dickinson squash. A Dickinson pumpkin is tan with uniform, smooth skin, not like the pumpkins you might carve. If the label on your canned pumpkin says 100% pumpkin, then it’s all pumpkin. However, some companies may be using a mix of pumpkin and winter squash in their puree. The FDA does not have a distinct definition between what it calls a pumpkin and what it calls a squash, so companies can use a blend of squash to create the perfect puree.
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What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?Although pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling can be found in the same aisle of the grocery store, they have one key difference: the seasoning. Pumpkin puree doesn’t have any added seasonings or flavors, whereas pumpkin pie filling does. Typically, pumpkin pie filling will have sugar and pumpkin spice, which is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. Pumpkin pie filling is handy if you’re baking, as it already includes ingredients you’re likely to add, but you wouldn’t want to use it in a savory dish like our Gnocchi with Bacon & Creamy Pumpkin Sauce. That’s why pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling are not interchangeable.
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Is canned pumpkin healthy?Yes, canned pumpkin is healthy because pumpkin is packed with nutritional benefits. Pumpkin contains beta carotene, an antioxidant that not only gives pumpkin its orange color but also helps reduce inflammation. The squash also contains vitamins A and C, which support eye health and immune health. Pumpkin also has fiber and potassium, two nutrients that help our digestive system and blood pressure, respectively.
Our Trusted Expertise
Alex Loh is the associate food editor at EatingWell and has more than four years of experience with the brand. She has tested hundreds of products, from kitchen tools to foods like canned tuna and hot dogs. For this article, testers included a registered dietitian and food editors.
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