I started blogging in 2009 (!) and since then have published over 1,000 recipes, as well as written two cookbooks. Over the years I’ve learned one thing for certain: baking is a SCIENCE!
Which is why I now dedicate so much time and energy into publicizing fun experiments like this one to show you how small changes can sometimes make a big difference in the final result of your baked goods.
With all of the information I post about baking science, you’ll be empowered to enter the kitchen with confidence. In this pumpkin puree article specifically, you’ll be empowered to enter the grocery store with confidence!
Canned pumpkin (labeled as “100% pure pumpkin”) is a purée of pumpkin that is sometimes mixed with other kinds of winter squash. It is unsweetened and does not contain any added spices. Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you’ll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks.
How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Before we get into the fresh vs. canned pumpkin nitty gritty, be sure to check out this step-by-step video and my easy recipe for making your own pumpkin puree. It’s surprisingly simple!
The full fresh pumpkin puree recipe is in the printable recipe card below, but the steps are straightforward:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut your pie or sugar pumpkin(s) in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
- Roast for 45 minutes, or until fork tender.
- Remove skin and place pumpkin in the bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth.
If you attempted to make homemade pumpkin puree from a regular field pumpkin that you would use to carve a jack-o-lantern for Halloween, the result would be stringy, watery, and bland. Instead, use pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins for the best flavor and texture in any sweet or savory recipe.
- Let them air dry, toss with oil and seasonings, and roast them low and slow at 250°F for an hour
- Add them to your favorite homemade granola or trail mix
- Blend into pumpkin seed butter
- Garnish your favorite soup or dip with them
- Add them into guacamole
- Replace them for the pine nuts in pesto
- Add them into a salad
- Sprinkle on oatmeal!
The full detailed instructions for roasting are also included in the printable recipe card.
When things get hectic around the holidays, the appeal of the convenient canned pumpkin really becomes clear. Nobody wants to spend time picking out the right squash and carving out a gigantic gourd when they also need to check on the turkey and put together the green bean casserole. Taste of Home says the canned option also happens to taste better in your pie than the fresh stuff, with a better flavor and smoother texture. The one hang-up is knowing what exactly canned pumpkin is. You may have heard its actually a squash, or maybe you heard its not the same thing as pumpkin purée. Well, rest easy, pumpkin lovers, because you have nothing to worry about.
Even if you do opt for a brand that is not 100% pure, canned options can be your entryway to eating more pumpkins. You are often turning the orange vegetable into purée in many recipes anyway, and Delish says that anytime you are cooking with it, you can just reach for the can and save yourself a lot of effort while often getting better results. It may go against a lot of your fresh cooking instincts, but canned pumpkin vs. fresh is one of those rare times you can just go with the easier option and still take the win on the taste. Just dont go assuming the same thing about pumpkin pie filling because that is a whole different question altogether.
Canned pumpkin is actually a very pure and basic ingredient, and as The Spruce Eats says, it is just cooked and mashed with no other flavorings or additives. So yes, your canned pumpkin is just a can of purée, and you should use it in any recipe that asks for it. As for the squash question, make sure to look for labels that say 100% pumpkin if you want the purest pumpkin flavor. Kitchn notes some brands do mix in pureed squashes that are not technically pumpkins, like butternut or Hubbard, but brands with the 100% label are made with pumpkin squash, just not the big orange kinds you are used to picking out of the field.
If youre standing in a grocery store aisle, holding some canned pumpkin, and wondering if it works in your recipe that asks for pumpkin purée, that can only mean one thing: Its pumpkin season once again. Contrary to the whole point of most canned items, pumpkin is something that is tied inseparably to fall and the holiday season, despite its usefulness as a staple pantry item. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, 90% of canned pumpkin is sold between October and January, and were willing to bet thats all due to the enduringly popular pumpkin pie.
Fresh Pumpkin Purée vs Canned
FAQ
Can canned pumpkin be substituted for pumpkin puree?
What’s the difference between canned pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree?
Is canned pumpkin puree just pumpkin?
Is homemade pumpkin puree better than canned?
Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree?
Yes, canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. Canned pumpkin is made from cooking and pureeing pumpkin, and is commonly used in pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, and other pumpkin-based dishes. The label on the can may indicate it as “canned pumpkin” or “100% pumpkin puree,” but both refer to the same product.
Are squash and pumpkin the same?
Pumpkin and squash both belong to the same plant family, Cucurbitaceae. The main difference between pumpkin and squash is that the pumpkin stem is hard and jagged, while the squash stem is light and hollow. In other words, a pumpkin is a type of squash but not all squash are pumpkins.
Is pumpkin puree the same as pumpkin puree?
If you usually pick up a can of pumpkin, yes, it’s probably the same as pumpkin puree. Both are made with plain cooked pumpkin, pureed until smooth. You can use the homemade version just as you would use the canned version.
Does a can of Pumpkin say puree?
Not every can of pumpkin will say puree, but if it says pumpkin on it, it’s most likely pureed. You can buy pumpkin pie from almost any store you can buy food from. Look for the cans of pumpkin that have a pumpkin pie on it.