The Best Canned Pumpkin, According to Our Taste Test

Canned pumpkin is the MVP of fall. Sure, you can roast and puree a gourd yourself to make pumpkin pie filling, but canned pumpkin makes the task exponentially easier and is sometimes even preferred by the pros for its consistent texture. Beyond pie, it’s a great base for velvety soups, creamy pasta sauces, and quick breads.

This fall, you may reach for the same can out of habit — not because it’s the best, but because you may not realize how different pumpkin puree can taste from can to can. We tasted seven canned pumpkin purees side by side to find out which ones deserve a spot in your pantry year-round.

What is canned pumpkin?

Not to be confused with canned pumpkin pie mix, canned pumpkin is an unsweetened, processed product of cooked and pureed pumpkin, squash, or a mix of both. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), canned pumpkins can be made from “golden fleshed, firm shelled, sweet varieties of either pumpkin or squash.”

Some of the most common varieties used in modern canned pumpkin include the Dickinson squash, Connecticut field pumpkin, Kentucky field pumpkin, Boston marrow squash, and Golden Delicious squash.

How we tested

For this test, we wrapped and concealed our seven contenders so our participants would not be aware of the brands. We asked each tester to taste the canned pumpkin purees straight from the can and used plain snack crackers as a palate cleanser. We evaluated and scored each canned pumpkin based on flavor and texture. Since canned pumpkin does not contain any sweeteners, salt, or flavorings, our flavor baseline was simple: How concentrated was the actual pumpkin flavor? Texture-wise, we considered smoothness, viscosity, and mouthfeel. With the scores averaged, these are the standouts to stock up on this fall and beyond.

Best overall: Good & Gather 100% Pure Pumpkin

Food & Wine / Target

Target’s private-label pumpkin puree surprised us (and even converted a few Libby’s loyalists) with its vivid deep orange color and bright, just-picked flavor. “This one has a nuanced, earthy vegetal flavor,” said Executive Editor Karen Shimizu. It also had subtle undercurrents of yam-like sweetness, making it taste more complex than some of its fellow contenders. The texture was smooth and thick, but still spreadable like an apple butter.

Its balanced flavor would make this puree especially versatile. Sweeten with sugar and warm baking spices for classic pumpkin pie filling or muffin batter, or lean into the vegetal notes for savory dishes like a creamy pumpkin pasta or spicy pumpkin curry.

Best for pumpkin pie: 365 Organic Pumpkin Purée

Food & Wine / Whole Foods Market

It might be tempting to grab canned pumpkin pie mix when you’re in a hurry, but you’re better off starting with plain pumpkin puree. That way you can add your own blend of baking spices and, more importantly, control the filling’s sweetness. 365 by Whole Foods Market, the grocer’s private-label brand, is our pick for your next homemade pumpkin pie.

The puree is a vivid orange that would bake up nicely, and its velvety, airy texture screams pie filling. Don’t stop at pies, though: It would also be great for other silky pumpkin desserts, from cream cheese–swirled pumpkin bars to a pumpkin cheesecake.

Best classic: Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin

Food & Wine / Libby’s

Libby’s traces its roots to 1869, when brothers Arthur and Charles Libby and Archibald McNeill founded a canned meats company in Chicago. It expanded into canned vegetables and fruit in 1880. Marketed as the number one canned pumpkin in the U.S., Libby’s is known for its simple back-of-can recipe — first printed in 1929 — that made homemade pie approachable for beginners.

Libby’s uses a proprietary strain of Dickinson pumpkin, with a flavor similar to butternut squash. We found the pumpkin flavor to be concentrated, but slightly less earthy than the winner’s. “I like this one a lot — it’s more neutral than some of the others, but has a pleasant, mild sweetness,” said Associate Art Director Ann Martin Foley. A few editors noted mild graininess, but this puree was satisfyingly familiar for everyone.

Best value: Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin

Food & Wine / Walmart

Canned pumpkin won’t break the bank, but saving a few dollars never hurts. Walmart’s private-label 15-ounce can costs $1.16 (7.7 cents per ounce) and often goes on sale around the holidays. Despite the low price, we found that this puree delivered solid pumpkin flavor without the astringent or tinny notes common in bargain cans. If you’re making a big batch of pumpkin soup or a pumpkin spice shrub for cocktails, this one’s a smart buy.