Quick Answer
There are several good substitutes for pumpkin puree in recipes. The most common options are:
– Canned pumpkin – This is the easiest direct substitute. Make sure to get 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
– Mashed sweet potato – Sweet potato has a similar texture and flavor. Use about 1 cup mashed sweet potato per 1 cup pumpkin puree.
– Butternut squash – Pureed cooked butternut squash can mimic the texture and color of pumpkin puree well.
– Carrots – Grated or mashed cooked carrots are an option. May change the color and flavor somewhat.
– Pumpkin butter – This contains pumpkin puree and spices. Adjust other spices in the recipe accordingly.
What Can Be Used Instead of Canned Pumpkin?
Canned pumpkin is a convenient ingredient to keep on hand for recipes calling for pumpkin puree. However, if you don’t have any canned pumpkin, there are several alternatives you can use:
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes are one of the closest substitutes for canned pumpkin puree. To substitute, use 1 cup of mashed cooked sweet potatoes for every 1 cup of pumpkin puree called for. The texture and sweetness is very similar. The color will be more orange than pumpkin, but the flavor is quite close.
Butternut Squash Puree
Butternut squash has a similar consistency to pumpkin when pureed. To make a substitute, peel, cube and roast a butternut squash until very soft. Then puree the cooked squash flesh in a food processor or blender until smooth. Use equal amounts to replace pumpkin puree. The color will also be very close. Butternut squash has a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavor than pumpkin.
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Like canned pumpkin, you can also find canned sweet potatoes. These are already cooked and mashed. Drain and rinse before using to remove excess sugar. Substitute equal amounts for pumpkin puree.
Carrots
While the flavor will be quite different, cooked mashed or grated carrots can work texture-wise in some recipes. Use about 1 1/4 cups of cooked finely shredded carrots for 1 cup of pumpkin puree. This will add more sweetness as well. The color will also be more orange.
Butternut Squash Soup
You can puree canned or homemade butternut squash soup until smooth. This has a similar texture and color to canned pumpkin. Use equal amounts to replace pumpkin puree in recipes.
Hubbard Squash Puree
Hubbard squash is less common but is very similar to pumpkin in texture and flavor when cooked and mashed. Substitute equal amounts of cooked, pureed Hubbard squash for pumpkin puree.
| Substitute | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Mashed sweet potatoes | 1:1 |
| Butternut squash puree | 1:1 |
| Canned sweet potatoes | 1:1 |
| Carrots | 1 1/4 cups carrots per 1 cup pumpkin |
| Butternut squash soup | 1:1 |
| Hubbard squash | 1:1 |
What Can I Use Instead of Canned Pumpkin for Baking?
When a recipe calls for canned pumpkin, such as pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie, you have a few options if you don’t have any on hand:
Pumpkin Puree
One easy alternative is to make your own homemade pumpkin puree using fresh pumpkins. Cut a sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, roast at 350°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour until very tender, then scoop out the flesh and puree it in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Sweet Potato Puree
Cook, peel and mash or puree some sweet potatoes to use in place of canned pumpkin. The texture and sweetness is similar. Use equal amounts.
Butternut Squash Puree
Roast cubed butternut squash until very tender, then puree in a blender. The flavor is a little sweeter and nuttier but can work well in most baked goods. Use equal amounts to replace pumpkin puree.
Applesauce
Unsweetened applesauce is thicker than pumpkin puree but can be used in some baked goods like quick breads. Use equal amounts. It works if you want a fruity flavor.
Banana Puree
Mash some ripe bananas into a puree. The texture and sweetness is similar to pumpkin puree. Replace pumpkin puree with an equal amount of mashed banana.
Canned Sweet Potato Puree
Look for canned sweet potatoes that are already pureed. Drain, rinse and use equal amounts in place of canned pumpkin.
| Baking Substitute | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Fresh pumpkin puree | 1:1 |
| Sweet potato puree | 1:1 |
| Butternut squash puree | 1:1 |
| Applesauce | 1:1 |
| Banana puree | 1:1 |
| Canned sweet potato puree | 1:1 |
What Can I Use as a Substitute for Pumpkin Pie Filling?
If you don’t have canned pumpkin pie filling for baking a pie, several substitutes can work:
Canned Pumpkin Puree
Plain canned pumpkin puree without spices can easily stand in for pumpkin pie filling. Use the same 15-16 ounce can size. Just add your own spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves to taste.
Squash Puree
Any winter squash puree like butternut, acorn or Hubbard works well for pumpkin pie. Puree roasted cubed squash and use equal amounts in place of pumpkin pie filling. Boost spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to get a true pumpkin pie flavor.
Sweet Potatoes
Cook and puree sweet potatoes until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon cloves for a sweet potato pie with similar flavor.
Canned Sweet Potato Puree
Look for canned sweet potato puree, which has a similar texture to pumpkin pie filling. Use equal amounts and adjust seasonings to be more pumpkin-flavored.
Canned Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin butter contains pureed pumpkin with warm spices already added. Use equal amounts of pumpkin butter in place of pumpkin pie filling, and simply adjust other ingredients like eggs and sugar in the recipe accordingly.
| Pie Filling Substitute | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Canned pumpkin puree + spices | 1:1 |
| Squash puree + spices | 1:1 |
| Sweet potato puree + spices | 1:1 |
| Canned sweet potato puree + spices | 1:1 |
| Canned pumpkin butter | 1:1 |
Conclusion
While canned pumpkin puree is a convenient staple for many fall recipes, there are ample substitutions available if you find yourself without a can. Other vegetable purees like sweet potato, butternut squash, or even carrot can mimic the texture well, with some adjustments to flavor and color. In baked goods, you can also use applesauce or mashed banana for moisture and sweetness. With the right seasoning, you can craft a tasty dish with a substitute that captures the spirit of pumpkin. Don’t let a lack of canned pumpkin stop you from enjoying your favorite pumpkin-flavored treats!