Pumpkin Pie Taste Test 2025: The Shocking Truth Behind America’s Favorite Holiday Dessert

Pumpkin pie is supposed to be the comfort of Thanksgiving — creamy, warm, nostalgic, the flavor that officially announces “holiday season has arrived.

But 2025 came with a plot twist:
Not all store-bought pumpkin pies are created equal — and some are surprisingly disappointing.

After reviewing consumer taste tests, expert reviews, YouTube reactions, and seasonal shopping reports, one thing is clear:

Americans are talking more about bad pumpkin pies than good ones this year.

Here’s what we discovered when comparing three major pumpkin pies dominating grocery shelves: Walmart, Target, and Lidl.

Walmart: The Viral “Do Not Buy” Warning

Walmart usually nails classic American comfort foods .. but this year, their pumpkin pie is getting dragged across the internet.

Chowhound’s panel ranked it dead last out of six store pies.

    The biggest complaints:

• Oily pie tin and slick crust
  
• Pie splitting in the center right out of the box
  
• A “strangely sour aftertaste”
  
• A texture described as mushy yet dry at the same time
  
• Pumpkin flavor… missing entirely
  

One reviewer summed it up perfectly:

“If pumpkin pie tasted like this, it would never be a seasonal favorite.”

This year, Walmart’s $5 pie seems like a seasonal pass.

Target: Thick, Salty, and Surprisingly Savory

Target rarely disappoints… but their 2025 pumpkin pie test results shocked many shoppers.

After hunting down the nearly sold-out seasonal pie, testers found:

First impressions:

• Plain packaging
  
• Moist, shiny top that looked like it had been “sweating”
  
• Smaller pie (serves only 5 people)
  

When we sliced it:

• Thick, firm filling
  
• Outer crust that crumbles easily
  
• A processed smell that’s hard to ignore
  

Taste verdict:

• Texture: extremely thick, leaving a coating in the mouth
  
• Flavor: more squash than pumpkin
  
• Crust: shockingly salty with zero sweetness
  
• Sweetness level: bland
  
• Requires a mountain of whipped cream just to feel like dessert
  

Target lovers may defend the price ($4.99), but flavor-wise, this pie falls flat for the Thanksgiving table.

The Surprise Winner: Lidl

Among the grocery-store competitors, Lidl quietly delivered the best pumpkin pie of 2025 according to expert taste testers.

 Why it stood out:

• Creamy, well-balanced texture
  
• Properly spiced
  
• Real pumpkin flavor
  
• Crust that actually tastes homemade
  
• Excellent price for the quality
  

Not too sweet, not too bland — just classic pumpkin perfection.

So… What’s Going On With Pumpkin Pie in 2025?

This year’s taste tests reveal something interesting:

Cheaper doesn’t mean better

Some $5 pies failed because of fillers, gums, and preservatives.

Pumpkin flavor varies wildly

Many store pies taste like squash, not pumpkin.

Texture is the biggest deal-breaker

America wants smooth and creamy — not gritty, gummy, or “chewy.”

Crust matters more than people think

A salty or mushy crust ruins everything, no matter how good the filling is.

Final Recommendation: Buy Smart or Bake at Home

If you’re grabbing a quick holiday pie:

Best Choice: Lidl bakery pumpkin pie

Balanced flavor, great texture, and holiday-approved.

Pies to avoid:

• Walmart pumpkin pie
  
• Target pumpkin pie
  

Both suffer from texture issues, lack of pumpkin flavor, and too many processing notes.

Want the BEST?

Make it at home — even a simple recipe beats most store versions.

If you want more cozy fall dessert ideas, check out our full collection of Thanksgiving recipes 2025 for inspiration and easy-to-make holiday treats

Conclusion

Pumpkin pie isn’t just a dessert .. it’s a warm slice of comfort, nostalgia, and fall flavor in every bite. With its silky filling and cozy spices, this classic treat brings people together around the table. Try it once, and it just might become your new favorite seasonal tradition.