Are Pumpkin Purée And Pumpkin Pie Filling Interchangeable?

Pumpkin purée is purely pumpkin

Pumpkin purée consists entirely of pumpkin, with no added salt, sugar, sweeteners, artificial colors, or preservatives. It is readily available in both 15-ounce and 29-ounce cans. Upon opening a can, you'll notice its vibrant orange hue, which is completely natural. The purée is made by cooking and blending pumpkins, resulting in a smooth texture that falls between loose tomato sauce and thick tomato paste. The aroma is distinctly vegetal, and you may find it surprising that it doesn't have the sweet scent typically associated with baked goods or pumpkin spice lattes, as it lacks those characteristic spices.

In terms of flavor, pumpkin purée tastes like pumpkin, reminiscent of a mildly sweet squash or an earthy sweet potato. It is the key ingredient in various savory pumpkin dishes, such as spiced pumpkin soup, pumpkin cream pasta sauce, or pumpkin ravioli. Its neutral taste makes it easy to enhance with different spices, alliums, and salt, while its smooth texture allows for seamless incorporation into recipes.

For sweet dishes, many chefs prefer using pumpkin purée instead of pumpkin pie filling due to its versatility. If you enjoy nutmeg but dislike cloves, you can adjust the amounts in your pies, loaves, or muffins to suit your taste. Similarly, if you prefer your seasonal treats to be sweeter with honey or maple syrup, you can reduce the sugar you add. If you’re looking to stock your pantry with just one pumpkin product, pumpkin purée is the ideal, adaptable option.

Pumpkin pie filling features extra sugar and spice

Pumpkin pie filling can differ significantly between brands. For example, Libby's Pumpkin Pie Mix includes sugar, salt, and a blend of "spices," with distinct notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Most pumpkin pie fillings or mixes will incorporate sugar and a touch of salt, along with their unique combinations of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, mace, or allspice. Libby's offers its pumpkin mix in 30-ounce cans, designed for easy preparation—just mix one can with evaporated milk and eggs to create a classic pumpkin pie that can be ready to serve in under an hour.

When you open a can of pumpkin pie filling, you'll notice it has a slightly lighter hue than pure pumpkin purée. The aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin spice will greet you immediately. The texture is quite similar to pumpkin purée but is even more smoothly blended, making it ideal for pouring directly into a pie crust. Tasting the filling straight from the can reveals a sweet flavor that isn’t overwhelming. Pumpkin pie filling is an excellent choice for quick results or when your guests are eager for the nostalgic pumpkin pie of their childhood.

What to do when you've bought the wrong one

If your recipe requires pumpkin pie filling but you only have purée, you're in luck! Simply mix in sugar and spices to your liking, which you probably already have from previous baking endeavors. If your pumpkin pie recipe includes sweetened condensed milk, it should be sweet enough for most tastes, but be sure to add cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, or a teaspoon or two of pumpkin spice for extra flavor.

Using pumpkin pie filling in savory dishes can be trickier, but it's still possible. Skip any additional sweeteners the recipe suggests, and enhance the other flavors to balance the sweetness. Adding more salt, pepper, chili flakes, or lemon juice can help, depending on the dish. For sweet recipes, reduce some of the sugar, but not all of it. Armed with this information, confidently navigate the baking aisle and select your pumpkin ingredient!