Ever find yourself intimidated by a fresh pomegranate? Don’t let this delicious red fruit intimidate you! Learn how to eat pomegranate fruit easily so you can enjoy this winter fruit.
Original recipe: October 2016 | Updated: November 2022
It is prime season for watching the delicious pomegranate shine! Every year when I see them stacked a mile high in the produce section I get giddy. I rarely resist throwing a few into my cart.
Pomegranates are a lot like artichokes in the sense that getting to the good stuff is overwhelming. They have a tough skin and a thick outer layer, and those succulent little red seeds are buried deep inside. The tastiest foods require a bit of work for a reason!
Don’t let this colorful fruit intimidate you. Learn how to remove and eat pomegranate seeds quickly and easily so you can throw them into your next batch of roasted Brussels sprouts.
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 and 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.
Gently pry the remainder of the rind and white part apart from the pomegranate sections using your fingers. Use a paring knife 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.
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 your wooden spoon, place a large bowl in the kitchen sink to catch your seeds 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.
How Long Does Pomegranate Last
When you are ready to eat the fruit, enjoy it fresh that day and up to 3-5 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.
- 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
How To Eat Pomegranate Seeds
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.
Notes
- Roll the pomegranate on the counter with the palm of your hand to help loosen the seeds from the fruit’s membrane.
- When whacking the seeds with your wooden spoon, place a large bowl in the kitchen sink to catch your seeds 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 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