We Tried 8: This is the Best Canned Pumpkin (2024)

Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Pumpkins

ByLisa Kaminski

Updated: Apr. 09, 2024

    Canned pumpkin puree is a fall baking essential, but are you really buying the best brand? We tested eight options to find the best can for your pumpkin pies and other fall treats.

    Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.

    We Tried 8: This is the Best Canned Pumpkin (1)

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    Why You Want the Best Canned Pumpkin

    AtTaste of Home, we love everything pumpkin:pumpkin pie,pumpkin bars—even savory pumpkin recipes. And while these recipes run the gamut of flavor, they all start with one staple ingredient: canned pumpkin. (Yes, it’s better to bake with canned pumpkin instead of fresh pumpkin.)

    Despite making all these amazing recipes, chances are you don’t think twice about what brand of pumpkin puree you grab at the store. But since many of these treats are so beloved, our Test Kitchen wants to make sure that they taste their absolute best. How do we do that? With a blind taste test, of course!

    Our Canned Pumpkin Taste Test

    For this test, our team of culinary pros sampled a whopping eight brands of canned pumpkin! Who knew that many were even at the grocery store? Each brand of pumpkin puree was sampled blindly and each Test Kitchen staffer took careful notes on the following:

    • Color:Part of what makes pumpkin recipes so appealing is the vibrant color. A good can of pure pumpkin should have a rich orange hue—nothing pale or dull.
    • Texture:When making pumpkin puree from scratch, it can be challenging to get a super smooth texture. It’s why folks prefer the canned stuff. Our Test Kitchen wanted to find canned pumpkin brands with a velvety smooth feel with minimal (if any) pulp.
    • Flavor:Canned pumpkin should contain just one ingredient: pumpkin! It should taste fresh and, well, squash-like. There should be no metallic flavors or saltiness there—just pure, unadulterated pumpkin.

    Eight brands were considered for this test, and three were crowned winners by our Test Kitchen. Check out our Test Kitchen-Preferred canned pumpkin brands.

    We Tried 8: This is the Best Canned Pumpkin (2)

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    Best Canned Pumpkin Overall

    Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin

    In this taste test, our Test Kitchen pros found that the biggest name in the pumpkin game does, in fact, make the best canned pumpkin on the market.Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin is a favorite among our culinary crew.

    Libby’s canned pumpkin has a really rich orange color that is quintessential fall. This deep shade is perfect for giving recipes like this copycat Starbucks pumpkin bread, gluten-free pumpkin bread and spiced pumpkin bars their appetizing appearance.

    As for the taste, Shannon Norris in the Test Kitchen explains that “this brand has more depth of flavor than the others.” A scoop of Libby’s canned pumpkin has “great pumpkin flavor: earthy with a tiny bit of sweetness,” according to the Test Kitchen’s Josh Rink.

    You’ll also find that Libby’s pumpkin is exceptionally smooth. There are no visible fibers in this can of pumpkin—just a velvety smooth pumpkin puree.

    Also, check these Pumpkin Dessert Recipes to use up those cans of pumpkin.

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    We Tried 8: This is the Best Canned Pumpkin (3)

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    Best Budget Pumpkin

    Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin

    If you have a lot of pumpkin bakes lined up this fall, you can save some money by opting for a generic canned pumpkin option.Walmart’sGreat Value 100% Pure Pumpkin hits all the marks but costs significantly less than brand name options.

    This can of pumpkin isn’t as vibrantly hued as others in this test, but it has a winning texture. “This one is nicely pureed with a creamy consistency,” says Ellie Crowley in the Test Kitchen. That velvety texture is perfect for recipes like this pumpkin cheesecake and homemade pumpkin ice cream.

    Beyond smooth consistency, this canned pumpkin smells fresh and tastes of pure pumpkin without any extras. It does have a slightly milder flavor than our other top pumpkin picks, but when paired with pumpkin spice and topped with whipped cream, this brand will make an amazing pumpkin pie.

    Shop Now

    We Tried 8: This is the Best Canned Pumpkin (4)

    Taste of Home

    Check Out More Test Kitchen-Preferred Products

    Our Test Kitchen is constantly testing food, kitchen gadgets and cleaning gear looking for brands that deserve the right to be called Test Kitchen-Preferred.

    If you want to fill your pantry and fridge with the best products, check out these tests:

    • The best vanilla extract
    • The best pancake mix
    • The best crescent rolls

    Originally Published: September 12, 2022

    Author

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a former editor of Taste of Home and a fantastic baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Taste of Home’s Bakeable community. She also tested ingredients and kitchen gear. Today, Lisa continues to share her passion for baking and embroidery on her blog Cabin in the City.

    Read More

    We Tried 8: This is the Best Canned Pumpkin (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the best canned pumpkin test kitchen? ›

    Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

    In this taste test, our Test Kitchen pros found that the biggest name in the pumpkin game does, in fact, make the best canned pumpkin on the market. Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin is a favorite among our culinary crew.

    What is canned pumpkin good for? ›

    Pumpkin contains immune-promoting nutrients like vitamins A, E, and C, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, and beta-carotene. Consuming pumpkin may help manage immune-related diseases, reduce how often you fall sick, and help you recover faster from infections.

    Is Trader Joe's canned pumpkin really pumpkin? ›

    It's 100% pumpkin purée, with no added sugar or additives.

    How much pumpkin should you give a dog with an upset stomach? ›

    To help abate your dog's diarrhea, add 1-to-4 tablespoons of pumpkin or pumpkin powder to your dog's meal. It is a good idea to start out with smaller quantities to avoid adding too much fiber to your dog's diet, and if you have any questions about exactly how much pumpkin to feed your dog, consult your veterinarian.

    How can you tell if a canned pumpkin is good? ›

    First check the can's best-by date. But also know that best-by dates are the manufacturer's guidelines for how long the pumpkin will be “best,” not how long they will be safe to eat. Discard cans of pumpkin that are busted or bulged and past their expiration date.

    Is 100 pure canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree? ›

    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.

    Can you eat too much canned pumpkin? ›

    Pumpkin is very healthy and considered safe for most. However, some people may experience allergies after eating pumpkin (32). It's also considered mildly diuretic, which means eating a lot of pumpkin may induce a “water pill”-like reaction, increasing the amount of water and salt your body expels through urine (33).

    Can you eat canned pumpkin right out of the can? ›

    Pumpkin puree is made by steaming and pureeing squash so there are no added ingredients. Is canned pumpkin cooked? Yes, it's already been cooked via steaming. It's safe to eat canned pumpkin straight from the can, but it's infinitely better baked into a pan of pumpkin bars.

    Is canned pumpkin good for high blood pressure? ›

    To help decrease your blood pressure, try eating pumpkin, which contains potassium that helps to control blood pressure. Potassium also helps with bone health and decreases your risk for diabetes. Around 10% of your daily potassium is found in just a half-cup serving of canned pumpkin.

    Is Libby's real pumpkin? ›

    Libby's, the quintessential canned pumpkin brand, uses a proprietary strain of the Dickinson pumpkin variety in their product, which is also often called a Dickinson squash. On Libby's website, it states that their product is 100 percent pumpkin.

    Why is there no canned pumpkin in the grocery store? ›

    Why Is Canned Pumpkin So Hard to Find? In a nutshell, there are two reasons: weather and demand. "Due to wet, cold weather conditions during planting, we started harvesting a little later than usual this year," says Noelle Perillo, manager of brand public relations at Nestle (where Libby's pumpkin is made).

    Is there any real canned pumpkin? ›

    There is a reason that Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin has been the go-to brand for so many people for so long. The 100+ year old company bought the rights to grow a special kind of Dickinson pumpkin for their brand, and that is one of the key reasons their canned pumpkin is so reliable and consistent year after year.

    Is peanut butter good for dogs? ›

    ' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products. Xylitol is the only ingredient in peanut butter that's bad for dogs.

    Is Libby's canned pumpkin good for dogs? ›

    Canned pumpkin has a high water content that can help with hydration and digestion. Since there is so much water in pumpkin, this also means that it is less calorie dense than some other human foods you might consider giving your dogs. It also is rich in vitamins A, C, and E.

    Is sweet potato good for dogs? ›

    If your dog is giving puppy dog eyes for your favorite Thanksgiving side, you may wonder if dogs can eat sweet potatoes. Good news: vets give the OK when it comes to dogs and sweet potatoes! In fact, sweet potatoes are considered a healthy treat for dogs and offer lots of nutritional value for your pooch.

    Which pumpkin has the best taste? ›

    Small Sugar. Possibly our sweetest pumpkin, Small Sugar is just the right size for roasting in the oven. The vigorous vines are heavy producers, forming many under-10-pound fruits that are ripe for picking 95 days from transplant. Small Sugar's smooth texture and rich flavor make it a perfect variety for pies and soups ...

    What brand of canned pumpkin is actually pumpkin? ›

    What Is In Canned Pumpkin? You may have heard that canned pumpkin is actually made of squash. That is both true and untrue. Libby's, the quintessential canned pumpkin brand, uses a proprietary strain of the Dickinson pumpkin variety in their product, which is also often called a Dickinson squash.

    Why does canned pumpkin taste different? ›

    Also, bear in mind that fresh pumpkin can create varying results depending on the pumpkin you choose; there can be different water and sugar content in every pumpkin, which can affect the flavor and texture. Canned pumpkin is made of steamed, pureed pumpkin or a blend of pumpkin and other squashes.

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