We Tested Canned Pumpkin Against the Fresh Stuff. Here's the Winner. (2024)

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We Tested Canned Pumpkin Against the Fresh Stuff. Here's the Winner.? ›

⁠ ⁠ The fresh puree had a squashy/pumpkiny, subtle almost herbaceous flavor. ⁠ The regular canned had a deep, slightly intense unique flavor. Lastly, the organic canned puree tasted similar to the fresh stuff than the regular canned, but with more flavor than homemade.

The Best Overall: Libby's 100% Pure 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 claim is that these pumpkins have been grown specifically for pumpkin puree in cooking and baking, so the result is a sweeter and creamier product. Interesting. Of course, anything that's been canned will likely taste different than the fresh product.

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks. Unlike pumpkin pie mix, canned pumpkin does not have any spices, sugars, or other additives. In many cases, the only ingredient is pumpkin.

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.

The Trader Joe's canned pumpkin stood out for several reasons. It's texture was the thinnest, the color the lightest, and the flavor the sweetest and least squash-tasting.

Great Value

This option is from Walmart's store brand Great Value, and according to the can's label, it was the only canned pumpkin brand that's also a product of China.

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.

It is safe and healthy to eat pumpkin every day, but Campbell suggests sticking to only one serving per day—about half a cup of canned pumpkin and one cup of raw pumpkin – for a couple reasons. “Although pumpkins are great for you, they do contain a good amount of fiber,” says Menshulam.

Potassium. Potassium is essential for electrolyte balance and supports muscle function. Pumpkin also contains this vital mineral, helping keep your muscles in top shape.

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.

Cook It on the Stove

Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. This method helps reduce excess moisture, which gives the pumpkin a superior texture. It also releases the natural pumpkin flavor and helps reduce the metallic taste from the can.

Made with only one ingredient: pumpkin. Each bulk can of Libby's Pumpkin contains only one ingredient - pumpkin. Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin has been a favorite for pumpkin pies, rolls, and baked goods for more than 75 years.

β-carotene present in pumpkin is an anti-inflammatory agent as it decreases the skin cancer which occurs due to sunlight whereas α-carotene is considered responsible to prevent aging, growth of tumor and preventing the chance of developing cataracts in eye.

Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.

Although most people prefer eating them cooked or roasted, you can also eat pumpkin and pumpkin seeds raw. Still, key differences set apart raw and cooked varieties, especially in terms of taste, texture, and nutritional value. This article explains how raw and cooked pumpkin and pumpkin seeds compare with one another.

When shopping for pumpkins, look for the ones usually generically labeled “sugar pumpkins” or “pie pumpkins.” Some specific names are Baby Pam, Autumn Gold, Ghost Rider, New England Pie Pumpkin, Lumina (which are white), Cinderella, and Fairy Tale.

Best Pumpkins for Canning

Small sugar or pie pumpkins give better results than field (jack-o-lantern) pumpkins because they are sweeter and less stringy. Make sure your pumpkins are fully ripe and cured for the best flavor (read more about how to cure pumpkins here).

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.

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.