MyTastr

Best canned pumpkin, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Diane Phillips, Ken Haedrich, Robin Selden, Amy Hosking and 5 more. Recommendations come from huffpost.com, simplyrecipes.com, allrecipes.com and seriouseats.com.

Baking · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Made from Libby’s own Dickinson pumpkin, it has about 90% of the market. Haedrich, dean of The Pie Academy: “It’s always been Libby’s for me.” Phillips: “Libby’s seems to be the standard when following recipes.” Pastry chef instructor Sophie Frazier, in Simply Recipes: “When I open a can of Libby’s, I know exactly what I’m going to be working with,” with a “thick, moist texture, and earthy-sweet pumpkin flavor.” ICE chef-instructor Bridget Vickers says it’s “sweeter, less stringy,” and deep orange, where other brands can be watery or pale. Kayla Tabb roasts it for deeper flavor. In supermarkets everywhere.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: huffpost.com ↗
  2. 2

    365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Pumpkin Purée

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The overall winner of Serious Eats’ blind tasting of nine purées. Every taster liked its orange color and its balance of sweetness and moisture, “not too dense and not too watery,” with a “nicely squashy” flavor. Sprung, a Chopped Sweets champion who uses Libby’s for pie, also recommends this pull-top can. At Whole Foods and on Amazon nationwide.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: allrecipes.com ↗
  3. 3

    Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin Purée

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Organic purée with a yellower hue and a “robust, earthy squash flavor.” It was a runner-up in Serious Eats’ blind tasting, where one taster called it what you picture when you go to the pumpkin patch. Hosking says it’s the can her bakery often uses. Cookbook author Robin Asbell bakes with the brand’s canned butternut squash for a sweeter, milder pie. Sold at natural-food stores and Amazon nationwide.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: allrecipes.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best canned pumpkin, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin, chosen by Ken Haedrich (The Pie Academy); Diane Phillips (cookbook author, Perfect Party Food); Robin Selden (executive chef, Marcia Selden Catering). Made from Libby’s own Dickinson pumpkin, it has about 90% of the market. Haedrich, dean of The Pie Academy: “It’s always been Libby’s for me.” Phillips: “Libby’s seems to be the standard when following recipes.” Pastry chef instructor Sophie Frazier, in Simply Recipes: “When I open a can of Libby’s, I know exactly what I’m going to be working with,” with a “thick, moist texture, and earthy-sweet pumpkin flavor.” ICE chef-instructor Bridget Vickers says it’s “sweeter, less stringy,” and deep orange, where other brands can be watery or pale. Kayla Tabb roasts it for deeper flavor. In supermarkets everywhere. Source: huffpost.com ↗
What are the other top picks for canned pumpkin?
No. 2 is 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Pumpkin Purée, chosen by Katherine Sprung (pastry chef, Squish Marshmallows). No. 3 is Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin Purée, chosen by Amy Hosking (Stevedore Bakery). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

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