How To Cut a Pomegranate

Learn how to cut a pomegranate and remove the seeds, with this easy step-by-step guide. Pomegranate seeds, called arils, are full of antioxidants and a beautiful bright red color, making them a healthy, delicious and stunning addition to so many recipes!

Fun fact, what we all call pomegranate seeds are actually technically not the seeds! The little pinkish red juicy morsels are called arils. The arils surround the actual seed with soft flesh and juice.

They have a deliciously wonderful sweet and tart flavor and can be used in so many ways! But how do you remove them from the whole pomegranate without making a huge mess? Thankfully it’s a mystery no more, today I am sharing my easy method for deseeding pomegranates. 

Once you separate the tender arils from the white membrane, keep the fresh pomegranate seeds in your fridge at all times for a tasty snack, sprinkle the seeds over your favorite dishes, mix them into recipes, or use them to make a refreshingly tasty juice!

And why wouldn’t you? Not only are pomegranate seeds absolutely delicious, they’re healthy too! They’re low in calories and fat, while offering plenty of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, folate, as well as other vitamins and minerals. 

So follow the instructions below and get to deseeding!

How to cut a pomegranate

The goal when cutting a pomegranate is not to cut through and break open the beautiful arils (the seeds) inside. This easy method will help keep all of the arils whole for adding to salads, desserts and more!

1. Use a sharp knife to cut a thin slice from the stem end (the bottom) of the pomegranate. This is the opposite side of the blossom end.
2. Feel for the ridges along the sides of the pomegranate and cut slits along the ridge through the outside of the pomegranate, being careful not to cut all the way through the membranes and seeds.
3. Use your thumbs to pull the segments of pomegranate apart into 4-6 sections.

How to remove the seeds

Once the pomegranate is pulled apart into 4 sections, revealing the beautiful seeds inside, it’s time to remove the seeds.

1. Fill a large bowl with 2-3 inches of cold water. Working over the bowl will help to avoid pomegranate juice stains on the counter or cutting board.
2. Hold a section of the pomegranate over the bowl of water and pull apart the seeds from the white pith, letting it all fall into the bowl. The seeds will mostly sink to the bottom of the water, while the white membrane will float to the top.
3. Once you’ve removed all of the seeds from each section of the pomegranate, use a spoon, or your hands, to scoop off all of the floating white membrane pieces from the bowl and discard.
4. Pour the bowl of water filled with the pomegranate seeds through a fine mesh strainer.
5. Allow the pomegranate seeds to dry, then serve them in your favorite recipes, or store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later. One pomegranate will contain approximately 1 1/2 cups seeds, AKA arils.

Storage options

• Refrigerator: place the arils in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
• Freezer: spread the arils out in a single layer on a parchment paper lined plate or baking sheet and place it in the freezer for 1 hour. Once the seeds are frozen solid you can transfer them to a freezer safe container or zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to make pomegranate juice

Once you have the juicy arils separated from the membrane you can make a fabulous homemade juice!

1. Place the arils in a blender or food processor.
2. Blend or pulse quickly to break apart the arils. Be careful not to over blend and break down the arils too much as the bitter flavor from the skin will end up in the juice.
3. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or jar and pour the juice and arils into it.
4. Use a spatula or spoon to gently press on the arils to get all the last bits of the juice out.
5. Taste your juice! It’s great as is, but you can always stir in some sugar, honey, or maple syrup to sweeten it up.

Ways to use pomegranate arils

In addition to making juice, there are so many ways to enjoy the pomegranate seeds! They pair perfectly with both sweet and savory recipes. Try any of these tasty ideas or pomegranate recipes.

• Top your morning oatmeal or Overnight Oats.
• Include in a tasty yogurt parfait, like this Superfood Fruit Parfait.
• Add them to these Cranberry Pomegranate Waffles for breakfast!
• Blend them into your favorite fruit smoothie. I recommend adding them to this Heart Healthy Smoothie.
• Serve them with cheese! Include them on a charcuterie board, add them as a garnish on top your favorite baked brie recipe, or include them inside this Apple Strudel with Brie!
• Pomegranate seeds are surprisingly good with wild rice! Try them in this Wild Rice Pilaf with Apples & Cranberries, or these Chicken and Wild Rice Bowls.
• The flavors also compliment butternut squash beautifully, try them in these recipes: Balsamic Chicken & Butternut Squash Noodle Bowls, Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Kale Salad, or Butternut Squash Risotto.
• Really any squash recipe can be elevated with the arils, try them in Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries & Brussels Sprouts or on top of this Acorn Squash Soup.
• Sprinkle them in your favorite salads! They are great simply with spinach, blue cheese and pecans, or with this Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad, or Fuji Apple Chicken Salad.
• Use them in the best Thanksgiving leftover meal, Turkey Tostadas with Pomegranate Guacamole.
• Cheers with a pomegranate cocktail. I love this Pomegranate Mint Margarita!

More kitchen tutorials

Don’t miss these other quick and easy how-to posts!

• How To Caramelize Onions
• How To Cook Bacon In The Oven
• 3 Ways – How To Cook Sweet Potatoes
• How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
• How To Cook Acorn Squash

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