Pomegranates may seem intimidating with their thick skin and thick outer layer, but once you learn how to eat pomegranate fruit and master the technique for extracting the juicy, red seeds, they’re quick and easy to enjoy. These versatile seeds add a burst of flavor, crunch, and vibrant color to salads, roasted vegetables, and smoothies, making your meals both delicious and visually appealing.
Original recipe: October 2016 | Updated: November 2022 and November 2024
Why You Need to Learn How to Eat Pomegranate Fruit
- Once you learn the simple technique for extracting the seeds, it’ll be a breeze to enjoy pomegranates without frustration.
- Fresh pomegranate is a lot like artichokes in the sense that getting to the good stuff can feel overwhelming. They have a leathery skin and a thick outer layer, and those succulent little red seeds are buried deep inside. It’s worth the effort (and truly is easier than you think)!
- Don’t let this colorful fruit intimidate you if you see it in the produce aisle during pomegranate season. Learn how to uncover and eat these seeds quickly and easily so you can throw them into your next batch of Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
- Pomegranate seeds are versatile and can be added to salads, roasted vegetables and smoothies, complementing both sweet and savory dishes.
- Their crunchy texture and vibrant color add visual appeal, making meals look festive and fun!
What You’ll Need
- A ripe, whole pomegranate (or however many you’ll be working with)
- Wooden spoon
- Large, wide bowl
- Cutting board (that you don’t mind getting stained a bit)
How To Eat Pomegranate Fruit
Follow this step-by-step guide to get to those edible seeds! This is my favorite way to get to the good stuff as quickly as possible.
Step 1
Cut the pomegranate in half with a sharp knife.
Loosen the white membrane (pulp) from the seeds using your hands.
Step 2
Turn the fruit over, cut side down, and hit the top of the pomegranate (hit it hard!) with a heavy wooden spoon over a large bowl sitting on a hard surface. A good portion of the seeds will fall right into the bottom of the bowl.
Step 3
Gently pry the remainder of the rind and white part apart from the white pith using your fingers.
Use a paring knife or a small spoon to loosen up the pomegranate arils that get stuck.
Within a minute or two, your bowl will be filled with hundreds of delicious and nutrient-dense ruby-red seeds.
Note: Alternatively, you can submerge a pomegranate that has been cut into four sections in a bowl of water. Working under water and with one section of the pomegranate at a time, use your fingers to pull the seeds away from the membranes. This method can prevent a huge mess from happening, but can also be a little bit tedious.
Recipe Notes
- Roll the pomegranate on the counter with the palm of your hand to help loosen the seeds from the fruit’s membrane and peel.
- When whacking the seeds with a large spoon, place a large bowl in the kitchen sink to catch your seeds in order to prevent a mess.
- Pomegranate juice stains fabrics, so use a paper towel to clean surfaces to avoid getting it onto clothing.
- Not only is this snack yummy, it also provides amazing nutrients and health benefits, including being a powerful antioxidant and providing vitamin c, vitamin k as well as potentially lowering the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
How Long Does Pomegranate Last
After the seeds have been removed, enjoy them fresh that day and for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container.
How To Freeze Pomegranate
To freeze the fruit, place in freezer bags for 2-3 months.
How To Tell If Pomegranate Is Ripe
When selecting that perfect pomegranate, look for slightly flattened sides rather than perfect circles. Look for slightly rough and soft skin that is easy to scratch with a fingernail.
If you encounter discolored or soft spots, the fruit may be spoiled.
Substitute For Pomegranate Seeds
If you are looking for another fruit to substitute for pomegranate seeds, consider blackberries, fresh cranberries, raspberries, red currants, raisins, cherries or dried apricots.
What to Do With Pomegranate Seeds
- Enjoy those juicy seeds as a solo snack.
- Toss a few handfuls of them into fruit salads.
- Throw a handful of pomegranate seeds into a leafy green salad.
- Use an electric juicer or hand-press juicer to create a healthy fresh juice.
- Sprinkle into a pan of roasted veggies.
- They are a great addition to a bowl of ice cream.
- Garnish holiday meat dishes with them.
- Blend with other ingredients and create smoothies with them.
- Throw them into your next bowl of oatmeal or yogurt.
- Offset their tart flavor by adding them to a fruit salad.
More How-To Recipes
- Cook and Eat An Artichoke
- How to Cut an Avocado
- Peel and Cut Butternut Squash
- How To Cut A Pineapple
How To Eat Pomegranate Seeds
Equipment
- 1 large wide bowl
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate
Instructions
- Place the pomegranate with the ends of the fruit facing out on the side, not up and down. Slice the pomegranate in half.
- Take a half and begin to loosen the pulp from edges and the seeds with your hands.
- Turn the half piece over a bowl and hit the outer rind with a heavy wooden spoon. A good portion of the seeds will have loosened up and fall right into the bowl.
- Break the remainder of the rind and pulp apart with your hands to pluck out the remaining seeds. Repeat with the second half of the fruit.
Video
Notes
- Roll the pomegranate on the counter with the palm of your hand to help loosen the seeds from the fruit’s membrane and peel.
- When whacking the seeds with a large spoon, place a large bowl in the kitchen sink to catch your seeds in order to prevent a mess. This provides a better angle to hit the fruit from.
- Pomegranate juice stains fabrics, so use a paper towel to clean surfaces to avoid getting it onto clothing.
- Not only is this snack yummy, it also provides amazing nutrients and health benefits, including being a powerful antioxidant and providing vitamin c, vitamin k as well as potentially lowering the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Thanks for sharing this it’s really helpful for me.
I’m glad you found it useful! Enjoy eating pomegranates!
Again;
Where ared the instructions you advertise in:
"How to Easily Remove Seeds from a Pomegranate?"
I continue to link toyou advertised dites only to find what yu advertise to be lacking. I think you need to consider this issue when asking for subscribers. Id fels like a ait and switch to lure one in for all; the ads.
Hello again, J’Marinde! There is a 25-second video about the process. Since it’s not a recipe, I didn’t type one out! The process is also explained in the copy. I hope this helps! Have a great day!
Megan