How to Deseed a Pomegranate—It’s Easy!
Updated: Oct. 18, 2018What does pomegranate taste like? How do you deseed it? We've got your most pressing pomegranate questions answered!
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
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
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.
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, MinnesotaOrange 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
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
Orange Pomegranate Salmon
A colorful, festive salmon dish makes an impressive addition to your holiday table—and it is as delicious as it is beautiful. What will no one guess? How easy it is to cook. I serve this with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus for a showstopping meal that is wonderful for special occasions. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
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, CaliforniaWhite 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
Turkey and Apple Arugula Salad
This satisfying salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pear and Pomegranate Lamb Tagine
Pomegranate, pear and orange go together so well that I decided to use them to prepare a Middle Eastern-themed tagine with lamb. This tastes delicious served over couscous, polenta or cauliflower mashed with feta cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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
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 CarolinaChocolate 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 YorkBeef 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
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
Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini
Pomegranate seeds intrigue me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese, and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UtahWendy'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
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, OntarioCitrus 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
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
Pear & Pomegranate Salad
Pomegranate seeds and Boursin cheese add zip to this cool salad of Bosc pears over lettuce. Look for the 5.2-ounce Boursin, which has a firmer texture than the spreadable version. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
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
