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Home » Cooking Tips and Basic Techniques

Pumpkin Puree vs Pumpkin Pie Filling

Published: Sep 21, 2023 · Updated: Apr 16, 2025 by Marye

A woman pouring pumpkin pie filling into a pie shell with text overlay for Pinterest.

Unlock the pumpkin mysteries this Fall! Discover the real differences between canned pumpkin puree and canned pumpkin pie filling. Learn when to use each in this guide.

A woman's hands pouring pumpkin pie filling into a pie crust.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • Pumpkin Puree
  • Pumpkin Pie Filling
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Make your pumpkin recipes taste even better by choosing the right canned product at the grocery store.
  • Pumpkin pie filling makes sweet recipes easier, while pumpkin purée is versatile and customizable!
  • Learn the big differences between pumpkin products and find out when you can (and can't!) swap one for another.

During pumpkin season, one of the most common questions I hear is this: pumpkin puree vs. pumpkin pie filling—what's the difference?

This quick post shares how to pick the right ingredients so you can make a better pie, muffins, pumpkin cookies, cake, soup, pumpkin bread, and any other fall goodies you desire this time of year!

A blue cup with pumpkin puree in it.

Pumpkin Puree

Canned pumpkin puree is simply pumpkin (or similar winter squash) that is cooked, pureed, and canned. It doesn't usually have any added sugar or additional spices.

The word "puree" simply means a substance has been blended or crushed until it's smooth. I like to remember it this way: pureed pumpkin is pure pumpkin.

Many different recipes start with pumpkin puree because it's like a clean, blank slate. It provides pumpkin flavor, but you have the option to adjust it as you like, adding your own sweeteners and spices to make a sweet or savory recipe.

Using pumpkin puree in a homemade pumpkin pie recipe, for example, allows you to control the spices, flavor, and sugar levels. You can keep it on the less sweet side if you prefer, or amp up the pumpkin pie spice. The choice is yours.

A slice of pumpkin cake on a plate.

Pumpkin Pie Filling

On the other hand, pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and flavored. It's still cooked and pureed but has a higher sugar content and includes spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and clove.

The additional sugar makes it a quick hack for sweet treats—like pumpkin pie, of course. Pumpkin pie filling isn't really suitable for savory recipes like pumpkin pasta sauce or soup.

Some cooks use pie filling as a convenience since pure canned pumpkin takes a tiny bit of extra work (adding spices and flavoring.) However, it doesn't save much time—you still need to mix canned pie filling with eggs and some type of cream.

While cans of pumpkin pie filling simplify prep a bit, you have less control over the finished dish. Plus, some people think that pumpkin pie filling has too much sugar for their taste.

Basically pumpkin pie filling is only good for use in pumpkin pies AND it's not even that great.

Double layer pumpkin pie slice with a bite removed.

🥫 How to store leftovers

Both puree and pumpkin pie filling are easy to store if you can't use up a whole can at once. Carefully spoon the leftovers into an airtight container or plastic bag.

In the fridge, pumpkin puree or spiced pumpkin pie filling lasts for about a week. However, you can freeze it for up to one year.

Be sure to pull frozen pumpkin out and let it thaw evenly in the fridge overnight before using it in your favorite recipes.

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💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Pumpkin puree is the best choice for most recipes because you can adjust the flavors accordingly. Using pie filling in a pumpkin recipe that calls for puree can make your end result too spicy or sweet.

  • You can use fresh pumpkin puree in recipes that call for canned. Just make sure to cook it down well and squeeze out the extra moisture.
  • Buy a pumpkin pie spice blend to make prep easier for fall baking.
  • Libby's sells a pumpkin pie mix, which is the same as the "pumpkin pie filling" referenced throughout this post.
  • Shop carefully—pumpkin puree and pie filling are generally placed right next to each other in the store. The cans look similar!

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree in a recipe that calls for canned?

Sure! The main difference between fresh puree and buying it at the store is where it was prepped—and possibly some preservatives. Just be sure to squeeze the moisture out of homemade puree really well.

What can I use in place of pumpkin puree?

In most recipes, you can use butternut squash or sweet potato puree in place of pumpkin.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?

This is tricky—the answer generally is no. Even if you omit the added spices from your recipe, it still may end up too sweet. Of course, you can't just lower the sugar measurement without potentially ruining a baked dessert. Baking is somewhat of a science, y'all!

Can I pour pumpkin pie filling into a crust and bake it?

Nope. Canned pumpkin pie filling has spices and sugar added, but to make a proper pie, you still need eggs and milk.

Is pumpkin puree the same as pure pumpkin?

Yep! Pumpkin puree is pure pumpkin - or should be. Always read the ingredients on the can.

A forkful pie being lifted up from the slice.

📚 Related recipes

  • Pumpkin Gooey Bars are packed with warm autumn spice and freeze great, too.
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  • With just three ingredients and less than an hour, you can have delicious, moist Pumpkin Spice Cake.
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Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

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  1. Cindy says

    October 04, 2023 at 8:40 am

    Thanks for clearing up the pumpkin puree vs. pie filling confusion! I was stumped by this!

    Reply
  2. Becky Mansfield says

    October 02, 2023 at 12:46 pm

    I had always been curious about this - thanks for clarifying! Pumpkin puree is one of my favorites, so I love having more ideas of what to do with it. YUM!

    Reply
  3. Cindy says

    October 01, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    Fresh pumpkin puree is so amazing for baking. The flavor is so much better. I usually make a bunch and freeze it.

    Reply
  4. Melanie C says

    October 01, 2023 at 5:11 am

    Thanks for the help with this post - I actually never realized the difference between pumpkin puree vs pumpkin pie filling.

    Reply
  5. Rita Joy says

    September 30, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    Thanks so much for this helpful description of pumpkin puree vs pumpkin pie filling. It's so good to know so we can make sure to use the right option for our recipes!

    Reply
  6. Brandi says

    September 30, 2023 at 2:32 pm

    Such good info! Pumpkin puree is so versatile and so good for you. I love to use it in homemade dog treats too - sparingly, of course, but it helps their tummies!

    Reply
  7. Camden Rusincovitch says

    September 28, 2023 at 11:43 pm

    I actually didn't know a ton about the differences between the two! Pumpkin puree is my preference, but I'm happy to have read this to know how else I can use them.

    Reply
  8. cynthia says

    September 26, 2023 at 11:19 am

    Homemade pumpkin puree makes everything better. And if you have pumpkin puree, making pumpkin pie filling is easy!

    Reply
  9. Alyssa says

    September 25, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    This is helpful information to know about pumpkin puree. I am looking forward to making some pumpkin treats this year!

    Reply
  10. Holly says

    September 22, 2023 at 12:00 pm

    I'm SO excited to see how this pumpkin puree vs pumpkin pie filling knowledge improves my holiday baking this year!

    Reply
  11. One Crazy House says

    September 22, 2023 at 11:58 am

    You really do learn something new every day! I always just thought they both were just pumpkin puree. I've never given it any thought, but I wonder how much tastier my food will be now that I know the difference! Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Kristen says

    September 22, 2023 at 10:09 am

    I have ALWAYS wondered what the difference was between pumpkin puree vs pumpkin pie filling! I am never quite happy with my homemade pumpkin pies, and I wonder if this is why...

    Reply
  13. Cynthia Rusincovitch says

    September 22, 2023 at 9:40 am

    Fresh pumpkin puree is the best for baking! We figured out we could make a big batch and freeze it for baking through the holiday season!

    Reply
  14. Brittany says

    September 21, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    Thanks for clearing up the differences between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling. I've never really understood which one to use, and when.

    Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

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