Is Canned Pumpkin Better Than Homemade? Here’s What The Pioneer Woman Says.

Just about anything is better homemade, so you’d think pumpkin puree would be no different, right? It turns out, Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond disagrees. In a recent interview with Taste of Home, we learned that she prefers canned pumpkin to homemade. Here’s why.

The ingredients the Pioneer Woman can’t live without.

The Difference Between Canned and Fresh Pumpkin Puree

Both store-bought pumpkin and fresh puree have just one ingredient: pumpkin. Homemade puree is made from baking pumpkins, like the Sugar Pie variety, which are denser and sweeter. The squash is roasted until tender, then scooped from its skin and pureed.

Commercial pumpkin is made from steamed pureed pumpkin. In a recent Taste of Home blind taste test, canned won out, too!

Why Homemade Puree Is Different

The difference, Drummond explains, is “if you make your own pumpkin puree from pumpkins, you can’t control the water content…the stuff in the can is controlled.”

Because every pumpkin has a slightly different water and sugar content, the final texture, consistency and flavor of homemade puree will vary. Sometimes, your puree will be sweet and creamy, sometimes watery, sometimes thick. Commercial pumpkin, on the other hand, has a uniform consistency and flavor.

Drummond told us that she’s made pumpkin puree from scratch before, and was disappointed: “My pie didn’t turn out ’cause it was too watery.”

Another benefit of using canned pumpkin? Drummond also noted that most recipes in cookbooks or online are tested with canned pumpkin, so your results will be best if you use canned, too.

More meal prep wisdom from The Pioneer Woman.

Good News for Bakers

Canned pumpkin is affordable and widely available. Pop a can or two in your pantry and you can bake at a moment’s notice. Use it in pies, along with a smorgasbord of other recipes. The only effort required is digging out the can opener—much simpler than making it from scratch, for sure. As Drummond says, there’s “no shame in pureed canned pumpkin!”

The Pioneer Woman's Go-To Comfort Foods

1 / 14

Ree Drummond is known for her iconic red hair, ranch lifestyle and a plethora of down-home comfort foods. But when she's not shooting her cooking show or releasing a line of floral appliances with Walmart, what does the Pioneer Woman love to make the most? Check out this list of comfort foods that Ree just can't get enough of.

Chicken Parmigiana

Since it's also a family favorite, Ree says chicken parmigiana, with a healthy helping of pasta, is a part of her regular dinner rotation.

Try Our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Blackberry Cheesecake Squares

To satisfy her sweet tooth, Ree likes to indulge with a rich and creamy cheesecake topped with tart blackberry preserves. To make things a bit easier, the Pioneer Woman prefers to whip up this cheesecake in bar form.

Try Our Blackberry Cheesecake Bars

Italian Meatball Soup

Filled with hearty ingredients and a veggie-packed stock, Ree often serves this comforting soup with thick slices of crusty Italian bread and butter.

Try Our Slow-Cooked Meatball Soup

Buffalo Wings

Juicy, crunchy and slathered in sauce, buffalo wings are among the Pioneer Woman's go-to Super Bowl spread. Plus, they're one of the Marlboro Man's favorites, too!

Try Our Best-Ever Fried Chicken Wings

Edna Mae’s Sour Cream Pancakes

Since the recipe was passed down by her grandmother-in-law, sour cream pancakes have a special place in Ree Drummond's heart.

Try Our Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes

Perfect Iced Coffee

As a self-proclaimed "freakazoid" for coffee, Ree starts every single day off with a tall glass of strong-brewed iced coffee.

Try Our Cold Brew Coffee

Puffed Pastry Pizza

Created to be served at a girls-night-in, this light and flaky puff pastry pizza can be topped with any flavors you desire. Ree's favorites are mozzarella with fresh tomato and goat cheese with sauteed mushrooms.

Try Our Shrimp and Pineapple Party Pizza

Sunday Night Stew

Ree says not to worry, you don't have to wait until Sunday to make a hearty beef stew. But you do have to serve it with a side of butter and cream-laden mashed potatoes!

Try Our Classic Beef Stew

Comfort Meatballs

When a recipe's name starts with comfort, you know it has to good! Inspired by a recipe from the '60s, Ree says this style of meatballs has been a favorite since the first time she tried them.

Try Our Holiday Appetizer Meatballs

Shepherd's Pie

For an extra-special touch, the Pioneer Woman likes to add a tablespoon of zesty horseradish cream to her mashed potatoes.

Try Our Skillet Shepherd's Pie

Tiramisu

Ree's love of coffee goes way beyond the mug. While she tends to add it to many of her chocolate-based desserts, there's no better coffee dessert than tiramisu.

Try Our Rich and Creamy Tiramisu

Broccoli Cheese Soup

To warm up chilly nights, Ree serves a classic broccoli cheese soup in a hollowed out Kaiser roll. Yum!

Try Our Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cinnamon Rolls

Who wouldn't want to wake up of a pan of ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls? Ree certainly would! Around the holidays, she likes to give a batch to friends and family as a Christmas morning treat.

Try Our Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

The post Is Canned Pumpkin Better Than Homemade? Here’s What The Pioneer Woman Says. appeared first on Taste of Home.

Kelsey Rae Dimberg