Wondering how to seed a pomegranate without making a mess? I’ve done it hundreds of times and I’m sharing the foolproof, stain-free method that actually works!
And check out my 30+ pomegranate recipes, both sweet and savory.
Being Persian, pomegranates have special place in my heart. My kids love eating the seeds, called “arils”, by themselves. They are sweet and sour bites of juicy delciousness. Packed with antioxidants and rich in fiber and vitamins. What’s not to love?
We also have a pomegranate tree in our yard, with easy access to fresh fruit from October through December. My friends know we love this fruit, so we tend to get boxes of fresh pomegranates throughout the season. It is a wonderful problem to have!
It isn’t uncommon to find ourselves needing to seed over 100 pomegranates in a week. Whether you have one or 30, I have learned the best way to cut a pomegranate and seed it. Real experience. Real results.
Pomegranate highlights
- Simple: If you never seeded a pomegranate, I can understand that it might be intimidating. As I mentioned above, I have been cutting and enjoying pomegranates all of my life. It is an easy process.
- Myths: Some people swear that beating a cut pomegranate will allow the arils to easily fall out. This does not work with all varieties. Yes, you can beat your fruit senseless and still have arils nestled comfortably inside. This method also bruises and ruins your fruit, not to mention it makse a mess splashing a juice that stains everything.
- Acidic Juice: For the method I am sharing below, you will use a bowl of water. The water catches the arils that are popping out when you open a pomegranate. It also washes off the acidic juice from your hands. The acid won’t burn you, but with constant exposure, it can dry out your hands and fingers.
- Pro Tip: Please DO NOT cut a pomegranate in half, as you would an orange or apple. It is not only messy (juice that stains will get everywhere), but you will also ruin and waste a lot arils that get sliced up.
Supplies you need
- Pomegranates: Obvious, I know. You can use this method whether you are seeding one or a dozen pomegranates.
- Sharp pairing knife: You will need a sharp knife to remove the crown and score down the sides of the pomegranate. If your knife is dull, you will push harder into your fruit, possibly cutting and damaging the arils inside.
- Large bowl of water: The water catches the falling arils and helps remove the acidic juice from your fingers. The white pitch pieces float to the top and are easy to strain out.
- Baking sheet or garbage bowl: This will hold all the pomegranate skins and pieces you need to throw out. I also put the pomegranates waiting their turn to get peeled on this.
- Small mesh strainer: This is used to remove the floating pieces of pith and debris from the b
Step-by-step directions
- Remove the crown off the top. Do not cut too deep or you will cut the precious arils!
- Score along the vertical sections. Pomegranates are sectioned off like oranges are, and you want to follow these lines. You want to cut deep enough to pierce through the top skin, but not so deep to cut the arils inside.
- Remove the center pit. Using the tip of your knife, point it to the center of the white pith. Keeping your knife at a 45º angle, cut a circle around the center of the pith. Remove the cone like white center and discard.
- Open the pomegranate. Over the bowl of water, place your thumbs into the cored out center of one of the ends of your pomegranate. Gently pull the two halves apart. Any loose arils will fall into the pool of water.
- Remove each segment. Gently remove the thin skins and excess membranes. Gently tap the seeds out and pull them off the membrane wall. Start removing the arils from each pomegranate section, using the water to clean your fingers and catch each aril.
- Strain out debris. Using a small mesh strainer, remove the floating membrane skins and pith from the water. The seeds will sink to the bottom and the debris will float to the top.
- Remove the pomegranate. When done, use your strainer to remove and drain the pomegranate arils.
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Pomegranate tips and FAQs
So now that you have all these pomegranate seeds, what should you do with them? You can eat them plain, as my kids do, or sprinkle over salads and soups.
I use them in my brie en croute (baked brie) and every holiday my family asks me to make my pomegranate cheese ball. It even makes a stunning fruit tart!
I have also tested and found the best way to juice a pomegranate. We tried several juicing methods to see which one worked best. You can enjoy the juice plain or add it to cocktails. You can also reduce the juice down with sugar to make pomegranate molasses.
Many Persian recipes use pomegranates and pomegranate molasses like fesenjoon (walnut and pomegranate stew) and ash anar (pomegranate soup).
Storing/Freezing Instructions
TO REFRIGERATE: Pomegranate seeds will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an air tight container.
TO FREEZE: Place seeds in one layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer ’til frozen. Remove and place frozen seeds in a freezer safe container. Frozen pomegranate seeds will keep in the freezer for up to six months.
WHOLE FRUIT: Unopened pomegranates can last up to one month on the counter or two months in the refrigerator.
When you open a pomegranate, you will see segments holding the pomegranate seeds. The colorful seeds you see are called ‘arils’ and they contain the juice of the pomegranate and a small white seed in the center. The entire pomegranate aril is edible, including the white seed. The seed is rich in fiber and the juice rich in antioxidants.
How To Cut A Pomegranate
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate
Instructions
- Remove the crown off the top of the pomegranate. Do not cut too deep or you will cut the precious arils.
- Pomegranates are sectioned off like oranges are, and you want to follow these lines. You want to cut deep enough to pierce through the top skin, but not so deep to cut the arils inside.
- Using the tip of your knife, point it to the center of the white pith. Keeping your knife at a 45º angle, cut a circle around the center of the pith. Remove the cone like white center and discard.
- Over the bowl of water, place your thumbs into the cored out center of one of the ends of your pomegranate. Gently pull the two halves apart. Any loose arils will fall into the pool of water.
- Remove each scored off sections. Gently remove the thin skins and excess membranes. Gently tap the seeds out and pull them off the membrane wall. Start removing the arils from each pomegranate section, using the water to clean your fingers and catch each aril.
- Using a small mesh strainer, remove the floating membrane skins and pith from the water. The seeds will sink to the bottom and the debris will float to the top. When done, use your strainer to remove and drain the pomegranate arils.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
Thanks for this detail. I use the water trick, but cut the pomegranate in quarters first which does make for a loss of precious arils and juice. I’m going to try your entire technique.
Toward the end of your post you have “Pomegranate seeds can be refrigerated and will keep in the refrigerator for XX days.” I’m guessing the XX was meant to be replaced with a number? 🙂 Any idea what that is?
ha! ha! Whoops! I have kept pomegranate arils in my refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when in a sealed container. Thanks for visiting and for catching my slip up!
Hehe 🙂 – what a cute post. I just tried your method of peeling the pomegranate and it does make a big difference! Thanks!
You sure gave a great tutorial. The pomegranates keep calling me and I am never sure how to handle them; this was wonderful! Thnanks so much. For sure I'm picking one up this week.
Rita