How to Deseed a Pomegranate—It’s Easy!

So you’ve brought home a pomegranate to make an amazing new dish, like this white chocolate mousse with pomegranate sauce or this cranberry-pom salad. But how do you get all the tasty seeds out of a pomegranate? It’s not exactly intuitive, but that’s where our Test Kitchen comes in. Our experts have deseeded plenty of pomegranates and can help you get through the process so you can enjoy the sweet seeds inside.

How to Seed a Pomegranate

Step 1: Cut in

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To seed a pomegranate, you’ll want to start by cutting off the crown of the fruit (that’s the top part that sticks up a bit). Then slice the fruit into quarters. Do your best to slice where the white, pithy part of the fruit is so you can preserve as many seeds as possible.

Step 2: Give it a soak

Once your pomegranate is quartered, set it into a dish of cool water for five minutes.

Step 3: Pry out the seeds

Shutterstock / Anneka

After allowing the fruit to rest, you can start to break open small sections and gently push out the seed clusters (these are called arils, by the way). Discard any skin or pithy membrane. When you’ve gotten all the seed out you can, drain and dry off the seeds with a tea towel. Once they’re clean and dry, they’re ready to add to your dishes or just to eat whole.

Other Things to Know About Pomegranates

• Flavor: With an exotic fruit like pomegranate it’s totally safe to ask what does pomegranate taste like? Pomegranate arils taste a lot like cranberries—fairly tart with a bit of sweetness underneath.
• Storage: Pomegranate arils can keep in the refrigerator for about three days. You can also keep them in the freezer for six months. Follow this guide to get the best frozen fruit results.
• Superfruit status: Pomegranates are some of the healthiest fruits on the planet, helping to lower blood pressure, risk of heart disease and cholesterol levels. They also offer anti-inflammatory effects and may help fight some forms of cancer and arthritis.
• Juicing: You can juice a pomegranate. Just slice it in half and juice much like an orange. It’s a great way to add antioxidants to your morning smoothie.

Now that you’ve got the skinny on what pomegranates taste like and how to deseed them, you can go and tackle all the best recipes.

Start with our 20 favorite pomegranate recipes.

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Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo Meatballs

These tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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Orange Pomegranate Salad with Honey

I discovered this fragrant salad in a cooking class. If you can, try to find orange flower water (also called orange blossom water), which perks up the orange segments. But orange juice adds a nice zip, too! —Carol Richardson Marty, Lynwood, Washington

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Cranberry Pomegranate Margaritas

I came up with this beverage to serve at holiday celebrations for a festive twist on the traditional margarita. It's light and refreshing, and looks beautiful with sugar crystals on glass rims. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California

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Orange Pomegranate Salmon

A colorful, festive salmon dish makes an impressive addition to your holiday table—and it’s as delicious as it is beautiful. What no one will guess? How easy it is to cook. I serve this with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus for a show-stopping holiday meal. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

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Pomegranate Persimmon Salad

To bring some sunshine to the table, I toss up a bright salad of persimmons and pomegranate seeds, dressed with a puckery vinaigrette. —Linda Tambunan, Dublin, California

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White Chocolate Mousse with Pomegranate Sauce

A luscious pomegranate sauce and a sprinkling of seeds add a festive touch to this elegant mousse served in a cone made of chocolate. It’s lovely for romantic occasions, too. —JoAnn Mathias, Hoschton, Georgia

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Turkey and Apple Arugula Salad

Turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Enjoy its flavor year round in this refreshing salad with fresh fruit and salad greens. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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Pear and Pomegranate Lamb Tagine

Pomegranate, pear, and orange go so well together, I decided to use the ingredients to prepare a Mideastern-themed tagine with lamb. This dish is absolutely terrific over couscous, polenta, or cauliflower mashed with some feta cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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Pomegranate-Hazelnut Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I converted many people to Brussels sprouts with this recipe, and it has since become my most requested dish. The richness of the hazelnuts and the sweetness of pomegranate and orange elevate the sprouts to a new level. —Melanie Stevenson, Reading, Pennsylvania

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Pomegranate-Cranberry Salad

Juicy pomegranate seeds give cranberry gelatin a refreshing twist. For the crowning touch, top the salad with whipped topping and a sprinkling of pecans. —Lorie Mckinney, Marion, North Carolina

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Chocolate Pomegranate Candies

This recipe pairs white and dark chocolate with whole, natural ingredients for an unbelievably delicious treat! These candies are perfect to give as a gift for Christmas. —Kelly Zdrowak, Orchard Park, New York

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Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate Chutney

When I want to show family and friends some culinary love, I roast a tenderloin and serve it with a sweet-tart pomegranate and apple chutney. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

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Pomegranate-Glazed Green Beans

Green beans are a popular vegetable in our house. They get a nice zing from this slightly tangy glaze featuring fruit juices, vinegar, maple syrup and seasonings.—Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini

Pomegranate seeds intrigued me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Wendy's Apple Pomegranate Salad

My grandparents grew pomegranates, pecans and walnuts and would send us some each year. Some of my best memories are the days I used to spend with my grandmother learning how to cook with her. Whenever I make this it's like having lunch with my grandmother again. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

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Jeweled Endive Salad

Every Christmas, friends have a huge potluck party. I wanted to bring something unique, so I topped off endive and watercress with jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario

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Citrus Compote with Grapefruit Granita

Make granita no more than a day ahead of time for best texture. If it freezes solid, it can be revived by pulsing in a food processor. This recipe was inspired by a trip I took with my husband to Italy. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

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Champagne Fruit Punch

Toast the happy couple at your next bridal shower with a fun and fruity drink! It’s the perfect refreshment on a hot day. —Kelly Tran, Salem, Oregon

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Pear & Pomegranate Salad

Pomegranate seeds and Boursin cheese add zip to this cool salad of Bosc pears over lettuce. Look for the 5-ounce Boursin with a firmer texture than the spreadable version. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona

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Double-Nut Stuffed Figs

We have a family member that has diabetes, so dessert can get tricky. These sweet, nutritious stuffed figs keep us all happy. —Bob Bailey, Columbus, Ohio

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