7 Ways To Use Canned Pumpkin
Not sure how to use the leftover can of pumpkin puree? Try one of these tasty 7 Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin!
Canned pumpkin is something I keep in the pantry year-round because it’s convenient, there are so many different ways to use it, and it provides nutritional benefits. This winter squash is a fruit in botanical terms, although we often group it in with the vegetable food group. When buying canned pumpkin, look for 100% pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. They are very different!
From a nutrition standpoint, pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food, meaning it offers a variety of vitamins and minerals in a few calories. Some key nutrients you’ll find in pumpkin include:
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
- Beta-carotene
- Copper
Pumpkin is versatile and can be used in so many different types of recipes across many cuisines. However, I’ve found that when a recipe calls for pumpkin puree, there’s usually some leftover. In case you’ve found yourself in this predicament and stumped on what to do (besides eating it with a spoon or feeding it to the dog!), here are 7 Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin!
7 Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin
Bread & Muffins
Adding canned pumpkin to baked goods like bread or muffins is a great way to cut fat and calories from fat without cutting out moisture. Plus, you’ll get the yummy pumpkin flavor if you use enough of it! You can’t go wrong with a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread or muffins, and these Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins make a festive fall treat!
Smoothies
Boost the beta-carotene (an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in the body) in your next smoothie by adding canned pumpkin! Pumpkin puree works well with many other commonly used fruits and vegetables for smoothies like bananas, pears, mango, kale, and spinach. Add in ginger, cinnamon, or cardamom to spice up your smoothie! For a thicker and more filling smoothie, try this Pumpkin Fig Smoothie Bowl for breakfast.
Sauces
Canned, 100% pumpkin has a subtle flavor, low amount of sugar, and smooth texture, which makes it ideal for blending into sauces. I’ve noticed more squash-inspired pasta sauces in grocery stores this time of year, and you can easily create a creamy pumpkin sauce at home to serve over your favorite pasta! Canned pumpkin works well with traditional Mexican flavors, too, like chipotle peppers and green chiles. Try my Black Bean Bowl with Pumpkin-Chile Sauce!
Yogurt Parfaits & Dips
You can add fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K to yogurt by adding pumpkin! For a festive fruit dip, mix together 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt and 3/4 cup 100% canned pumpkin, then add in a dash of cinnamon. This pairs well with sliced apples, pretzels, or cinnamon pita chips for a quick & kid-friendly snack. Adding leftover canned pumpkin to plain Greek yogurt in the morning is a great breakfast option, too. Top with granola, sliced fruit, nuts, seeds, or shredded coconut to make it a more filling and satisfying breakfast to get you through to lunch.
Oatmeal
When you find yourself with some leftover canned pumpkin after making a recipe, don’t toss it! Save it and then mix a couple of tablespoons into your oatmeal for breakfast. You’ll be amazed at just how much flavor the pumpkin puree adds and it gives your oats a boost of vitamin C and potassium. Whenever I add pumpkin to cooked oatmeal, I like to also mix in cinnamon or cardamom, and then top it with bananas or golden raisins, chia seeds or pepitas, and some shredded coconut. Orrr you can get real fancy with your oats and make my Pumpkin Latte Oats with Cranberries & Ginger Cookies (adding cookies is optional…but who doesn’t want cookies for breakfast?!).
Granola
I love making granola at home for several reasons: 1) it’s easy, 2) it’s much cheaper than buying granola, 3) it tastes better!
Using canned pumpkin is a tasty way to add flavor and a hint of sweetness. You don’t need much pumpkin puree when adding it to granola, so this is a great way to use up canned pumpkin that may have been leftover from one of the other things you’ve made from this list! Try my Pumpkin Seed & Chia Granola….your house will be filled with delicious smells of fall!
DIY Face Mask
From time to time I like to make my own face masks at home with ingredients from the fridge or pantry. Yogurt, honey, avocado, coffee grounds, and even canned pumpkin are a few foods that can easily be incorporated into DIY Face Mask recipes. I recently saw that Trader Joe’s was selling a pumpkin face mask with all of their other seasonal pumpkin products (and yes, I tried it!). If you want to create your own facial treatment at home, there are endless recipes online for different purposes (skin brightening, exfoliation, firming, etc.). Don’t trick yourself but rather TREAT yo’self this fall with a pumpkin facial 🙂
What are some of your ideas and suggestions for using canned pumpkin? I know you all will have some great ideas so feel free to share in the comments below!
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