Learn the easiest way to cut open a pomegranate and de-seed it. It’s really very quick and simple – I have step-by-step photos to show you and also a video. We really love these beautiful crunchy sweet and sour seeds in our household!
If you like me and you just cut your pomegranate in half to extract the seeds, creating a big mess and lots of juice spatter, this easy and mess-free recipe is for you!
How to cut a pomegranate step by step:
Opening a pomegranate can be messy but with this simple method you won’t leave your counter covered in pomegranate juice!
STEP 1: Remove the top. Using a pairing knife cut off the top of the pomegranate (the pomegranate’s blossom end, the one that looks like a crown/flower).
STEP 2: Score the skin. Holding the fruit you will notice about 5-6 ridges on its surface (it’s not perfectly round, the exact number of ridges can vary between pomegranates). Make shallow cuts along the ridges of the pomegranate down toward the bottom of the fruit (from blossom end to stem end). Try not to cut the seeds (pomegranate juice stains), just the white part, and the skin.
STEP 3: Break it apart. Use your hands to open the fruit – grip the pomegranate in your hands with your thumbs planted in the center of the fruit. Gently pull from the center outward, separating each section like segments of an orange.
STEP 4: Separate the segments – break the segments apart with your fingers.
STEP 5: De-seed the segments – using your fingers, scrape the seeds from the white membrane.
Some people use a wooden spoon to whack the seeds out of the pomegranate. I have never found this method particularly effective so I just do it with my fingers. I’ve found that many seeds end up bruised.
If you are concerned about staining your clothes or countertop, you can remove the seeds underwater, but you shouldn’t need to if none of the seeds have been damaged.
STEP 6: Separate the white pith from the red seeds. Fill a large bowl with water.
The seeds should sink to the bottom of the bowl and the white pith/membranes should float to the surface. Discard the white parts using a small sieve or your hands.
STEP 7: Strain the seeds.
Enjoy!
How to eat a pomegranate:
Red seeds are edible, the white membranes and pith and skin should be discarded. Pomegranate seeds (arils) have a hard pit inside, which is edible. As a young child, I didn’t like to eat these seeds inside and spat those but not I’m enjoying whole pomegranate seeds as they are.
The season for pomegranate is in the fall (October/November).
How to store pomegranate:
You can store pomegranate seeds in a closed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
A whole pomegranate can last for about a month in the fridge.
How to freeze pomegranate seeds:
Make sure your seeds are dry, you can dry them with paper towels. Arrange the seeds in a single layer on a tray lined with parchment paper. Place in a freezer for about 1-2 hours or until frozen. Transfer to a container or a ziplock bags. Freezing the seeds in a single layer allows the seeds to freeze individually, you can always take just a couple of tablespoons for your breakfast when needed. Freeze the pomegranate seeds for up to a year.
Frozen pomegranate seeds taste similar to fresh seeds but their texture is different – they are rather mushy and not so crunchy anymore.
How to thaw pomegranate seeds: in the fridge overnight, on a counter or in a bowl with warm water. If you want to use them to decorate desserts pat them try first as frozen seeds release some water.
How to juice a pomegranate:
It’s similar to juicing passion fruit. Put the seeds in a blender, pulse shortly just to break the seeds (don’t mix them for too long or the small particles will be difficult to strain), strain through a sieve, pressing the seeds with a spoon or spatula.
What to do with pomegranate seeds:
- add it to a salad: Butternut Squash Salad, Orange pomegranate salad with mint lime dressing, Roasted carrot salad with pomegranate and peanut butter lemon dressing, Red cabbage and apple slaw with pomegranate and walnuts, Pear walnut salad with cranberries and goat cheese, roasted butternut squash with cranberries, rosemary, pecans, and feta, I also like to make a simple salad consisting of salad greens with a simple vinaigrette and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for extra crunch and a pop of color
- use it as a topping for an oatmeal: Banana peanut butter oatmeal with pomegranate, Apple cinnamon oatmeal
- use it as a topping for dessert, eg Pavlova, cupcakes
- sprinkle over hummus or baked brie
- add them to a fruit salad
- yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast
Did you make this recipe? RATE THE RECIPE or tell me in the COMMENTS how you liked it! You can also add a photo of your dish. It would make me very happy and will help other readers. Thank you!!
How to cut and de-seed a pomegranate
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate
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Instructions
- Remove the top. Using a pairing knife cut off the top of the pomegranate (the pomegranate's blossom end, the one that looks like a crown/flower).
- Score the skin. Holding the fruit you will notice about 5-6 ridges on its surface (it's not perfectly round, the exact number of ridges can vary between pomegranates). Make shallow cuts along the ridges of the pomegranate down toward the bottom of the fruit (from blossom end to stem end). Try not to cut the seeds (pomegranate juice stains), just the white part, and the skin.
- Break it apart. Use your hands to open the fruit – grip the pomegranate in your hands with your thumbs planted in the center of the fruit. Gently pull from the center outward, separating each section like segments of an orange.
- Separate the segments – break the segments apart with your fingers.
- De-seed the segments – using your fingers, scrape the seeds from the white membrane. Some people use a wooden spoon to whack the seeds out of the pomegranate. I have never found this method particularly effective so I just do it with my fingers. I've found that many seeds end up bruised. If you are concerned about staining your clothes or countertop, you can remove the seeds underwater, but you shouldn't need to if none of the seeds have been damaged.
- Separate the white pith from the red seeds. Fill a large bowl with water. The seeds should sink to the bottom of the bowl and the white pith/membranes should float to the surface. Discard the white parts using a small sieve or your hands.
- Strain the seeds.
- Enjoy!
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