The Absolute Best Canned Pumpkin For Pumpkin Pie

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Pumpkin pie just might be the perfect fall dessert. A toasted, flaky crust containing a custard-like filling spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves would cap off any chilly day, or in the case of Thanksgiving dinner, a heavy meal. When gathering with family and friends, you might be tempted to make this autumn staple from scratch, filling included. Realistically though, you can whip up the iconic treat just fine using canned pumpkin. 

Referring to canned pumpkin as a nifty shortcut is moot since the majority of us probably use it to make the dessert every year. Yet opting for that pre-packaged orange goop in place of carving up an entire pumpkin isn't simply a matter of convenience. It actually works better for baking. According to Forbes, store-bought puree fares well for baked goods since the texture is denser and less liquid than any mash you'd be able to create at home. And with the amount of labor Turkey Day demands, having quick fixes on hand — such as pumpkin puree — can make all the difference.

Because all canned pumpkin is presented in the same manner, it's tempting to write them off as the same, too. But as you'll soon discover, it's worth knowing which purees are impressive enough to rival the real deal. Here are some of the absolute best canned pumpkin brands to use for pumpkin pie. 

The best canned pumpkin for pumpkin pie should feature the following elements: creaminess, a slight tang, and an irresistible orange hue that screams "fall is here, whether you like it or not." Unlike store-bought pie filling it's also unseasoned which makes it a blank canvas fit for mixing in warm and comforting spices. If brand loyalty doesn't matter to you or you'd like to save a few dollars on your grocery bill, give Great Value 100% pure canned pumpkin a chance. 

Great Value is Walmart's store line of generically-packaged goods sold at a cheaper price. The labels often appear remarkably similar to a better-known item it's copping the look from. And despite the clear nod to a certain pantry staple, some customers prefer Walmart's product to the brand-name version. Even better, it comes at around half the price. 

According to a review on Influenster, the pumpkin puree isn't thin or soupy describing it as "thick and rich straight out of the can." It won't leak into a giant puddle when you pour it into the pastry shell, and the texture isn't stringy or clumpy. In fact, it's the complete opposite and no additional tweaks have to be made to achieve a solid consistency. Affordable and dependable, Walmart's canned pumpkin is frankly a secret weapon every baker needs this holiday season.  

Some of the best canned pumpkin for your Thanksgiving desserts isn't sold in physical supermarkets. As a matter of fact, you can shop for the seasonal staple online without even having to stand in a single checkout line. Happy Belly organic 100% pumpkin has a 4.7 rating out of almost 3,500 reviews on Amazon, and the high praise seems to speak for itself. 

Perhaps you've never seen Happy Belly products in the flesh, because the Amazon brand can only be purchased from the online retailer. Judging by the droves of happy customers, this puree tastes great, looks great, and incorporates nicely into pumpkin desserts of all kinds: cookies, muffins, and of course pie. "This was super high quality organic pumpkin," one enthusiastic reviewer raved, adding that it was "thick and rich tasting." 

Provided that you're already doing your gift shopping on Amazon, why not grab some baking necessities while you're at it? Admittedly, this canned pumpkin isn't exactly the cheapest choice available. As of September 2022, it costs $3.39 apiece, which is practically double what you'll pay for any ol' pumpkin puree on the store shelf. By contrast, the gas it takes to go on a grocery store run is probably a lot higher than adding a can to your cart. 

New England is home to lush foliage and scenic snowfalls, but it's also where pumpkin pie became a hallowed holiday tradition. Per What's Cooking America, buttery pastry shells filled with a squash mixture entered the lexicon of colonial cooking beginning in the 17th century. The region is practically ripe with autumnal yearning, and up north there's a fall staple every household can't seem to live without: One-Pie pumpkin. 

Everything about One-Pie, Yankee Magazine writes, is totally nostalgic, from its charmingly old-fashioned label to the orangey mash inside. It's a firm guarantee that every Thanksgiving spread in Maine and Massachusetts will have dessert brought to you courtesy of this long-running brand. But tradition isn't the only reason why Americans flock to this canned pumpkin over the dozens competing for shelf space. It's simply that delicious, with a rich and hearty flavor, custardy texture, and a cloud-like mouthfeel. 

Although the product details suggest blending it into cookies and muffins, One-Pie predictably takes center stage as the puree of choice for pumpkin pie — after all, it is in the name. The only downside? It can be difficult to find, even for our neighbors on the East Coast as customers have confirmed (via Yankee Magazine). The holidays are a time of remembrance and rituals, and One-Pie Pumpkin delivers on the warm and fuzzies. While we're all for trying new products, sometimes it's best to stick to the classics.  

As our list shows, pumpkin puree has moved beyond the ultra-processed mush found in most cupboards during the holiday season. Take Green Valley Organics pumpkin. The autumn staple is given an organic makeover, all while maintaining the features that make it fit for a silky, sumptuous pie filling. The online consensus is also positive, and Amazon shows a solid 4.5-star average out of nearly 560 reviews. "Great flavor and organic!" one satisfied reviewer wrote, adding: "Made pumpkin pies for the holidays and they were gobbled up!"

Part of what makes the mash's consistency so unbelievably soft is that it's made from a type of gourd known as a Dickinson pumpkin. Home For The Harvest explains that this variety, which dominates farms across the Midwest, is far less fibrous and firmer than traditional field pumpkins normally reserved for Jack-O-Lantern carving. By reaching for purees made from Dickinson pumpkins, your pies will boast a moist center that's notable from the first slice. No wetness, and certainly no weird stringy bits will appear in your filling. 

At the time of writing, you can purchase a four-pack on Amazon for $18.99, so while it's not exactly a steal, it's well worth it for a lovingly-crafted dessert for the holidays. Use this in your pie, and we guarantee your guests will leave with full and satisfied stomachs across the board. 

"Perfect pumpkin for pie!" Those enthusiastic words were uttered in response to Thrive Market's organic pumpkin, and the hype doesn't stop there. It has a near-perfect score of 4.8 out of 5 stars from around 6,000 reviews on the company's website, and it ticks the boxes for health-minded consumers and bakers alike. For one, it's delicious, and it's also made from ethically-sourced pumpkins grown in the United States. 

One feature that puts Thrive Market's product above the rest, according to customers, is the convenient packaging. Unlike most canned purees that have to be cranked open with a can opener, this one comes with an easy-to-open pull tab instead. Opening cans can be a struggle, not to mention dangerous if you accidentally cut yourself in the process, so this gives it an edge compared to other canned pumpkin varieties out there. Assembling a pie is enough work as it is, so we'll take anything that makes the job easier. 

Choosing between good taste and good health is a dilemma that pops up during holiday baking, but Thrive Market shows you don't have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition with its pumpkin puree. While the topic here is pie, we're glad to report that customers have experienced great success using it in a variety of fall recipes, including sweet treats and savory dishes such as pasta and soups. Just as long as you have a Thrive Market membership, you'll be baking with this puree all season long.