Want to learn how to peel and seed a pomegranate without making a mess or losing any seeds? Here’s my favorite way to cut and de-seed a pomegranate!
What’s a pomegranate?
A pomegranate is a round fruit – technically a berry – filled with juicy red arils (a.k.a seeds). While the root, stem, and peel of the pomegranate aren’t edible/safe to eat, the seeds within it are safe and totally delicious!
They’re packed with nutrients like fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, potassium, and more. They’re also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Pomegranates are in season around late fall/early winter (starting in late October to early November).
Pomegranate seeds are super versatile in the cooking world, as they go great with sweet and savory dishes alike. For example, they’re delicious in oatmeal, with chicken (like in these Pan Seared Pomegranate Glazed Chicken Thighs), and in a wide variety of side dishes (try this Baked Buttercup Squash with Goat Cheese). They are also great in grain salad bowls, like my Harvest Bowls with Sweet Potato!
The seeds can also be made into a tasty juice that’s amazing on its own or mixed into other drinks and smoothies.
How to Cut & Seed a Pomegranate
If you’ve ever had pomegranate seeds, you know they’re super tasty. But it can seem a little overwhelming trying to get them out of the pomegranate fruit itself.
Sure, you can buy the seeds pre-seeded, but that’s more expensive than buying a whole pomegranate fruit. Fortunately, with the seeding method in this post, de-seeding will be a cinch (and won’t ruin/stain your kitchen counters)!
How to peel a pomegranate (the easy way – with no mess!):
- Cut the pomegranate in half through the root, then in half again to create quarters.
2. Next, place the pomegranate quarters in a large bowl of water and use your hands to break up the quarters to reveal the pomegranate seeds.
Use your fingers to knock the pomegranate seeds off of the white spongy rind and into the bowl of water. Doing this all in/over a bowl of water prevents red pomegranate juice from running off your cutting board and staining your counters.
3. Continue separating the seeds from the rind and dropping everything into the bowl of water. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the rind will float to the top.
4. Once all seeds are separated from the rind, use your hands or a slotted spoon to remove all the rind and white pieces that are floating at the top.
5. Lastly, strain remaining water from the seeds with a strainer or by hand. Discard the water and rind pieces – you’re left with just the pomegranate seeds and no messy juice splattered all over your kitchen!
That’s it! Now you have a bowl of juicy pomegranate seeds to enjoy.
How to Store Pomegranate Seeds
Fresh pomegranate seeds should be patted dry with a paper towel and stored in a zip-able plastic bag (with all excess air removed) in the refrigerator. Stored this way, they should last five days.
You can also spread them on a parchment paper or wax-lined sheet pan and freeze them. Then, transfer them into a freezer-safe zip-able bag or airtight container and store them for up to six months.
(To thaw, just move them into the refrigerator.)
It’s also helpful to know that an unopened pomegranate will last a lot longer, about one month at room temperature or one to two months in the refrigerator.
So, if you’re not planning to eat the seeds in the next five days, it’s best to wait before de-seeding!
I hope you find this simple cooking hack helpful. You’ll be seeding pomegranates like a pro in no time!
What’s your favorite dish/recipe to enjoy with pomegranate seeds? Let me know in the comments!
Want more fruit & veggie tutorials? Check these out:
