How Long Does Canned Pumpkin Last In The Fridge? (Find Out Now!)

Pumpkin is usually associated with the fall season, but it remains a delicious treat all throughout the year. Even if fresh pumpkins aren’t available in your area currently, you can still get your fix by purchasing some canned puree. But what should you do if you have leftovers; how long does canned pumpkin last in the fridge?

An open can of pumpkin lasts in the fridge for five to seven days, and storing it in a labeled, airtight container can help keep it fresh. If it has been 8 days since the best-buy date, check the pumpkin for any signs of mold or spoilage. You can extend canned pumpkin’s freshness by storing it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Canned pumpkin can be a delicious addition to your culinary creations. It may not be exactly like the fresh variety, but it still packs a flavorful punch. Learn how to store it properly and how long you can store it by continuing with this article.

Roasted pumpkin is absolutely delicious because its sweet and earthy flavors get the chance to shine. Puree your pumpkin to use it in even more culinary applications. If you’re in a pinch, canned pumpkin will do the trick.

Canned pumpkin can be a surprisingly versatile ingredient. However, not a lot of recipes call for plenty of pumpkin. Because of that, you may find yourself dealing with a good amount of leftover canned pumpkin.

Throwing out the canned pumpkin would obviously be a waste. The good news is that you can store the leftover pumpkin in your refrigerator. So, how long can you expect the leftover canned pumpkin to last in the refrigerator? The consensus is that it should remain safe to eat for the next five to seven days assuming proper storage.

Having that extra time should make it easier for you to come up with an application for the leftover pumpkin. Don’t feel pressured to use the entire can in one go.

We noted above that leftover canned pumpkin can be safely stored in the fridge for up to a week. Of course, that does assume that you stored the leftover pumpkin properly. You may now be wondering what proper storage entails.

Start by preparing a new container for the canned pumpkin. The open can is no longer the best place to store the pumpkin because its contents are exposed. You can try to seal the open can with some plastic wrap, but that could tear at some point.

Instead of keeping the pumpkin in the can, reach for an airtight container. If you don’t have an airtight container available, a vacuum seal bag can work as a suitable substitute.

Grab a clean spoon or spatula next. Using a clean utensil is a necessity. Aside from being more hygienic, using a clean utensil will also minimize the chances of bacteria growing inside the pureed pumpkin.

Use the spoon or spatula to scoop the canned pumpkin into the new container. Once all the pumpkin is inside, seal the container tightly.

You can also place a label on the container to indicate when you started storing it. Doing so is recommended if you keep a lot of containers inside your fridge. Then, you’re all set for your canned pumpkin to last in the fridge for several days.

Pumpkin has this kind of nutty aroma. Upon being pureed, that aroma becomes a bit more pronounced. That distinct aroma and flavor are what many of us enjoy savoring in our meals.

You can also use that aroma as a reference point. If the nutty aroma of the pumpkin has been replaced with a different smell, take that as a sign of trouble. Any kind of weird smell that accompanies the pumpkin is a sign of possible spoilage. Err on the side of caution and dispose of the pureed pumpkin at that point.

Storing your leftover canned pumpkin in the refrigerator is smart if you intend to use it within the next few days. But what if you’re not sure when you might use the leftover pumpkin? In that case, you may want to consider freezing your leftovers.

Leftover canned pumpkin will remain in peak condition even after spending three months in the freezer. Do note though that the pumpkin will not start to spoil even after those three months.

As long as the pumpkin remains frozen, it can stay inside the freezer indefinitely. The only downside is that the pumpkin may start to lose some of its flavor the longer it’s kept in the freezer.

Thawing your frozen pumpkin puree is very easy. Hours before you intend to use it, pull it out of the freezer and place it inside your refrigerator. By the time you’re ready to use the pumpkin, it should be completely or at least mostly thawed.

Also, note here that you can leave the pumpkin thawing in your fridge for a while. You can keep it there for three to four days and it will still be perfectly edible.

If you forgot to pull the pumpkin out of the freezer ahead of time, there’s a way to thaw it quickly. Grab the pumpkin, place it in a microwave-safe container and heat it up in your microwave. After a few seconds in the microwave, the pumpkin puree should be ready to use again.

Get ready to use the pumpkin right away if you heat it up with a microwave. Once it’s heated up that way, it can spoil if you don’t use it immediately.

You can also just put the frozen pumpkin in your pot or pan and cook it right out of the freezer. Allow it to melt and combine with the other ingredients to freshen up its flavor.

Refrigerating or freezing your leftover canned pumpkin is definitely worth doing. That leftover pumpkin puree is remarkably versatile. You can use it for all kinds of delicious dishes.

Some would argue that the best use for pumpkin puree is to feature it inside a pumpkin pie. As long as you didn’t wait too long to use the puree, its flavor should still be spot on. You can even use spices and some whipped cream to liven up the flavor of the pumpkin.

Leftover pumpkin puree can still work well in soups. Heat the puree up together with some vegetable stock, garlic, onions, and you have yourself a hearty soup already. Top the soup with some cream, fresh herbs, and a toasted piece of bread, and enjoy a comforting meal.

Home cooks can also use canned pumpkin to create more flavorful pancakes and cookies. The addition of the pumpkin will introduce a new flavor profile that interacts well with the inherent sweetness of those treats.

If you have a dog, canned pumpkin can make a tasty treat and also help with issues like constipation. You can even freeze some canned pumpkin in an ice cube tray to make some fun icy treats for your pup.

When feeding your dog canned pumpkin, don’t give them more than one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight per day. Also, make sure it is just canned pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. The filing contains added ingredients like sugar which are not good for your pup.

Related Questions

Do you need to abide by the date on the can of pumpkin?

Most cans containing pumpkin puree will be marked with some kind of date. Look closer and you may see that it is a “best by” date. So, how important is that “best by” date? Should you treat it as a deadline for using the contents of the can?The “best by” date is merely the manufacturer’s best estimate for how long the product will remain in peak condition. Even if the contents of the can remain unused by that date, you can still consume what’s inside. That is assuming the can has remained unopened throughout that timeWhat you should pay more attention to is the condition of the can. Cans that are leaking, rusting, or significantly damaged in other ways may have their contents compromised. You don’t want to use the pumpkin kept inside those damaged cans.

How long will homemade pumpkin puree last in the fridge?

Making your own pumpkin puree is a great idea if you can get your hands on some ripe pumpkins. If you made too much pumpkin puree, you can store the leftovers in the fridge too.The leftover pumpkin will remain edible for up to a week as long as you keep it in an airtight container. You can also use a vacuum seal bag to store the pumpkin.

How long does an unopened can of pumpkin last? 

An unopened can of pumpkin can last for up to three to five years and still maintain good quality. But, after five years, it will likely still be safe to eat, it just might not taste as good as when it is now so old. However, if the can is bulging, badly dented, rusty, or leaking.