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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.

one pomegranate with arils showing
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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 your favorite ruby red fruit. 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 our 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.

bowl filled with fresh pomegranate seeds and spoon

Can you eat pomegranate seeds?

Absolutely. Pomegranate seeds are filled with vitamins and fiber that are great for almost anyone. Vitamin C, iron, and potassium are some of the benefits of pomegranate seeds.

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 easy pomegranate juice by using a blender or juicer.
  • Create guacamole and different dips with the pomegranate arils. You can also use the seeds as garnishments!
  • Top your creamy oatmeal with pomegranate seeds to brighten things up a bit. You can use different types of oatmeal with pomegranate. We like to use overnight oats or warm oatmeal.
  • Layer a yogurt parfait with crunchy granola, smooth yogurt, mixed fruit, and pomegranate arils. Pomegranate seeds are perfect for adding bursts of colors to any recipe.
  • 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.
pomegranate pieces on cutting board with arils

What part of pomegranate is poisonous?

Be cautious around the stem, root, or skin as it can be possibly unsafe for a lot of consumption. Always practice caution while preparing foods.

As long as you just stick to eating the seeds, then all will be fine.

three pomegranates in white bowl

What happens if we eat pomegranate daily?

By eating fresh pomegranate daily, you are introducing your body to anti-inflammatory ingredients and immune-boosting vitamins. Fruits and vegetables are great to have for daily consumption because they are rich in fiber and minerals.

How to Peel and Cut a Pomegranate with water

  • 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 off 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 the 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

  • 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.

four segments of pomegranate with arils showing on wooden cutting board

Other Ways to Use Pomegranate Seeds

  • Snack on the seeds all by themselves or drizzle your favorite natural sweetener on them. Pomegranate is delicious all by itself!
  • Enjoy fresh pomegranate arils over a bowl of cereal or nut-based granola.
  • Make your favorite ice cream with pomegranate arils. You can fold the seeds within the ice cream or merely sprinkle them on top as garnishments.
  • Add some sweetness to a savory dish like parmesan oven-roasted chicken breast.
  • Create smoothie bowls and use pomegranate arils for pops of color.
  • Bake your favorite blueberry bread with pomegranate flavors.
one bowl filled with fresh pomegranate arils in a spoon

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How to Cut a Pomegranate

By: Rena
Servings: 1 pomegranate
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
side shot of knife slicing 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 and cutting board to enjoy this yummy fruit.

Equipment

  • 1 Pomegranate
  • Bowl of water

Ingredients

  • 1 knife , sharp
  • 1 bowl, filled with water

Instructions

  • Lay the pomegranate on the cutting board. Using a knife, slice ¼-inch off the top and bottom of the pomegranate.
  • Look at the pomegranate after cutting the top off. Notice the thin ridges along the surface. There will be 5 to 6 ridges in the fruit.
  • Slice the skin off the pomegranate alongside each of the thin ridges from top to bottom. Be careful not to cut all the way through the arils.
  • Use your hands to gently peel or slice the pomegranate open alongside the sliced ridges. Divide the pomegranate into four segments.
  • Fill a bowl of water and either submerge each pomegranate segment in the water or hold it over the bowl of water. Use your hands to gently remove the arils from the skin and membranes of the pomegranate.
  • The arils will sink into the bottom of the bowl while the tiny membranes float over the water.
  • Using your hands, remove the debris and membranes and discard them. Rinse and drain the arils.
  • Use as needed or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later use.

Notes

  • 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.

Additional Info

Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
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