It's that time of year—the pumpkin spice lattes are flowing, and it's just about time to break out the pumpkin pie recipes for your Thanksgiving feast. While it's pumpkin spice that draws us to fall's favorite pie, it's the main ingredient that may need some clarification when you're browsing cans in the grocery store: pumpkin puree. But what is pumpkin puree, exactly? Knowing what it is might just help you bake a better pie.
What Is Pumpkin Puree?
Pumpkin puree is, in theory, just mashed pumpkin. But it's not the kind of pumpkin you're probably imagining. The majority of canned pumpkin puree produced today is made from Dickinson pumpkins, also known as Dickinson squash. These pumpkins are tan, with uniform, smooth skin, and are much larger than the average field pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), which is the kind of pumpkin we carve into jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween. Dickinson pumpkins are also better-tasting than field pumpkins, whose flesh is watery and stringy.
Oftentimes, there is confusion about what canned pumpkin is, and that is in part due to the Food and Drug Administration's 1957 definition of canned pumpkin: "Canned pumpkin and canned squash is the canned product prepared from clean, sound, properly matured, golden fleshed, firm shelled, sweet varieties of either pumpkins or squashes by washing, stemming, cutting, steaming and reducing to pulp."
Basically, the line between what you can call a pumpkin and what you can call a squash is blurry. What the FDA considers "pumpkin" is a list of types of winter squash that are all very similar in flavor and texture to pumpkin. The squash used as pumpkin puree is less watery and stringy than Halloween pumpkins, so adding other winter squash makes the puree smoother and improves the taste and texture.
So yes, that can of pumpkin you are buying could technically be a mix of pumpkin and squash, but by the FDA's definition they're one and the same. And if the label on the can says 100% pumpkin, it is 100% true.
Pumpkin Puree (Canned Pumpkin) vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling
There is a big difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling (also called "pumpkin pie mix"). Although they both come in cans and the packaging looks almost identical, they can't be used interchangeably. Pumpkin puree doesn't have anything added to it, but pumpkin pie filling comes with pumpkin spice and sugar already mixed in. It makes getting pie on the Thanksgiving table easy and convenient, but you wouldn't want to stir it into a savory pumpkin soup or fill pumpkin ravioli with it.
If you're the type to get your hands dirty in the kitchen (and you want 100% pure, actual pumpkin), you might want to make pumpkin puree using fresh pumpkin. All you need is your oven, a baking sheet and a pie pumpkin.
Bottom Line
There may be some squash in that can of pumpkin puree in your pantry, even if it's labeled "100% pumpkin," and that's just fine. And remember, canned pumpkin puree and canned pumpkin pie filling cannot be used interchangeably because the filling contains pumpkin spice and sugar. Armed with this information, try one of our delicious recipes that use pumpkin puree—you'll be healthier for it.
FAQs
Pumpkin puree is simply cooked pumpkin flesh that has been blended, mashed, grinded, or processed to create a smooth puree. It can be served as a side dish or used as an ingredient in cooking or baking.
What is pumpkin puree made of? ›
Pumpkin purée is simply cooked and mashed pumpkin.
Canned pumpkin purée that says “100% pumpkin” on the label may also contain one or more types of winter squash, like butternut, Hubbard, Boston Marrow, and Golden Delicious.
What's the difference between pumpkin and 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.
Is pumpkin puree 100% pumpkin? ›
Pumpkin puree can be labeled as 100% pure pumpkin, pumpkin puree, solid pack pumpkin, or simply "pumpkin." Regardless of what it's called, one thing pumpkin puree won't contain is any sort of seasonings or sugar—it's just cooked and mashed squash.
Can I substitute pumpkin puree for canned pumpkin? ›
Fresh Pumpkin Puree
While our Test Kitchen recommends using canned pumpkin whenever possible, it doesn't mean that fresh pumpkin puree doesn't have a place in your kitchen. Fresh pumpkin is the ideal alternative for recipes that call for solid-pack canned pumpkin.
Can you eat canned pumpkin puree? ›
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.
Does pumpkin puree taste like pumpkin? ›
Pumpkin Puree Taste Comparison:
Fresh: Squashy/pumpkiny, subtle almost herbaceous flavor. Regular Canned: Deep, slightly intense unique flavor. Organic Canned: More similar to the fresh stuff than the regular canned, but with more flavor than homemade.
Can all pumpkins be used for puree? ›
You want to use small baking pumpkins when making pumpkin puree. Look for signs that say “sugar pumpkin” or “pie pumpkin.” They just taste better than anything larger (especially your Jack-O-Lantern varieties. Leave those to the decorating). If you are at a farmer's market, ask the farmer which pumpkin to get.
Is homemade pumpkin puree better than canned? ›
The canned option had a more powerful pumpkin flavor and a silkier texture. While some of my colleagues preferred the apple sauce-like texture of the fresh, I can't say all that extra work of cleaning, roasting and pureeing a whole pumpkin is worth it, especially during a busy holiday season.
What kind of pumpkin is best for puree? ›
For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field pumpkin types are larger, have watery, stringy flesh, and are best for decorating.
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.
What happens if you use pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin puree? ›
You can only use pumpkin pie mix in place of pure pumpkin in some cases. If you are making a pumpkin pie, the canned filling can be used in place of the puree, sugar, spices, and thickeners. You would want to adjust the recipe for the extra ingredients in the filling.
Is pumpkin puree healthy? ›
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.
Can I replace pumpkin puree with applesauce? ›
If the pumpkin in your recipe takes the place of fat, rather than serving as flavor, try replacing it with apple sauce, apple butter or yogurt. The flavor will change, but these substitutes can provide moisture, just as pumpkin does.
What's the difference between pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree? ›
Although they both come in cans and the packaging looks almost identical, they can't be used interchangeably. Pumpkin puree doesn't have anything added to it, but pumpkin pie filling comes with pumpkin spice and sugar already mixed in.
How to make pumpkin puree taste better? ›
5 Easy Ways to Make Canned Pumpkin Taste Better
- Cook It on the Stove. Why It Works. Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. ...
- (Briefly) Roast It. Why It Works. ...
- Add a DIY Spice Mix. Why It Works. ...
- Infuse It With Flavor. Why It Works. ...
- Use Quality Ingredients. How It Works.
Pumpkin puree is simply the inside of a pumpkin that has been cooked through baking, roasting, steaming, boiling or sautéing and then blended or mashed to create a smooth puree. It can then easily be used in cooking and baking for both sweet & savory recipes!
Can humans eat raw pumpkin puree? ›
There are plenty of ways to enjoy pumpkin and pumpkin seeds whether raw or cooked. Raw pumpkin can be puréed and mixed into cottage cheese or grated and used as a nutrient-dense topping for salads and baked goods. Meanwhile, cooked pumpkin works well in soups, stir-fries, curries, and desserts.
Can I give canned pumpkin to my dog? ›
You can feed cooked or canned pumpkin to your dog—if it's 100% pumpkin with no added ingredients. Make sure you don't accidentally grab the canned pumpkin pie filling. That contains sugar, which isn't healthy for your pup, and usually nutmeg, which is toxic to dogs.
