x 16-ounce can pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is a processed form of pumpkin puree made from sugar pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo), a smaller, sweeter variety distinct from decorative jack-o'-lantern pumpkins. The ingredient is produced by cooking fresh pumpkin flesh until tender, then straining and pureeing it into a smooth, dense paste, which is then sterilized and packaged in sealed cans. Canned pumpkin has a deep orange color, mild earthy-sweet flavor, and creamy texture. It contains minimal added ingredients—typically just pumpkin puree and sometimes salt—making it a convenient shelf-stable alternative to fresh pumpkin puree.

The 16-ounce (approximately 455-gram) standard can represents the most common retail size in North America and yields roughly 1¾ to 2 cups of puree.

Canned pumpkin is widely used in both sweet and savory preparations, particularly throughout autumn and winter. In American and North American cuisines, it forms the foundation of pumpkin pie, cookies, bread, muffins, and other baked goods, often combined with warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Beyond desserts, it features in soups (pumpkin bisque), sauces, risotto, and curries across various culinary traditions. The uniform consistency and reliability of canned pumpkin make it ideal for batch cooking. It integrates seamlessly into cream-based dishes and pairs well with both warm spices and savory elements like sage and garlic.