How to Cut and deseed a Pomegranate

Learning how to cut a pomegranate without making a mess can be super easy. Easily deseed your favorite fruit to add to your favorite salads and snacks. Ruby red pomegranate seeds are super juicy, and all you need is a knife, bowl of water, and cutting board to enjoy this yummy fruit.

If you are looking for an easy way to cut a pomegranate so you can enjoy the sweet and tart arils, then you will love learning all the steps for preparing it. Pomegranate seeds are delightful to eat all on their own or transformed into a bright juice made with a blender.

Cutting fresh pomegranates for the seeds is one of my favorite cooking basics in the kitchen–there are so many options when it comes to pomegranates. Opening a pomegranate can be exciting as you discover all of the colorful seeds that are nestled inside.

Can you eat pomegranate seeds?

I love pomegranate seeds and eat them all the time. You may either chew and swallow the seas, or you may try to chew and suck out the juice and then spit out the seeds. But it is totally fine to swallow.

Fresh pomegranate arils are versatile and great for a variety of dishes and recipes. You can find almost any situation where pomegranate is useful.

What to do with Pomegranate Seeds

There are so many different ways to use your favorite pomegranate seeds. The fresh pomegranate arils are juicy and tart yet filled with distinct sweetness that is perfect for almost any occasion.

Here are some ideas for fresh pomegranate seeds:

• Sprinkle the pomegranate arils on your favorite salads like spinach apple pecan salad, watermelon feta salad, or this tasty Brussels sprouts salad.
• Transform the fresh seeds into your pomegranate juice by using a blender or juicer and then straining it.
• Create guacamole and different dips with the pomegranate arils. You can also use the seeds as garnishments like I did with this baba ganoush.
• Top your creamy oatmeal with pomegranate seeds to brighten things up a bit like this Greek Yogurt overnight oatmeal.
• Top warm savory dishes of chicken, beef, or fish with sweet pomegranate seeds to create a nice balance of sweet and savory.
• Make your favorite smoothie with fresh pomegranate seeds. The seeds will add a slight tart flavor which is perfect for all types of sweet smoothies.

How to Peel and Cut a Pomegranate

• First, grab a bowl and fill it up with water so you can have it ready for soaking the seeds.
• Next, lay the pomegranate on the center of a wooden cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice ¼ of an inch off the top and bottom of the pomegranate.
• While you are slicing the pomegranate’s edges, you want to make sure you see thin ridges on the surface of it. You should see anywhere between five and six ridges inside the pomegranate.
• Next, slice the skin of the pomegranate along the ridges from top to bottom. Be careful not to fully slice through the arils as you are cutting alongside the ridges.

Opening a Pomegranate

• Using your hands, carefully divide the pomegranate into four even pieces. Grab the bowl filled with water so you can use it for the next steps.
• Next, you can either submerge the pomegranate segments in the bowl of water or hold them over the water as you deseed a pomegranate. With your hands, gently remove the pomegranate seeds from the skin and membranes of the fruit. Repeat.
• If you are soaking the arils, then you will notice the skin and membranes of the fruit will float to the top of the water as the arils sink below.

Using your hands, remove the debris and pomegranate skin from the arils and clean each seed by pouring them into a mesh strainer. Rinse and drain the pomegranate seeds and use them immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

How to Store Fresh Pomegranate Arils

• Store the fresh seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You may place a paper towel or linen in the storage container to maintain fresher flavors.
• Freeze pomegranate seeds by drying them with dry towels first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe storage bag. Freeze the pomegranate seeds for up to two months.

Notes and Tips

• Use a sharp knife so you can easily slice the pomegranate segments. Using a dull knife will make slicing and deseeding a pomegranate difficult.
• Soaking the seeds will yield optimal results and clean arils.
• You can either eat the entire seed or discard the tiny membranes after eating each aril.
• Keep another bowl handy as you peel the pomegranate so you can keep your hands clean during the process.

How do you get all of the seeds out of a pomegranate?

Soaking the pomegranate arils in a bowl of water and rinsing them afterward will clean all of the skin and membranes off of the seeds. Soaking the arils is a very important step in cutting a pomegranate.