This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Follow my easy tutorial on how to cut a pomegranate and discover all the yumminess this vibrant, beautiful fruit brings to recipes. Plus, I show you the best way to release the delicious pomegranate seeds.
Incorporate pomegranates into your diet and you will get a dose of vitamin C, vitamin K – for blood and bone health – folate, and potassium.
How to select a pomegranate
- Pick your fruit by weight. A good pomegranate should feel heavy for its size because the pomegranate seeds are full of water.
- Look for a pomegranate that is bright in color – medium red to deep red. However, surface abrasions do not necessarily mean the inside fruit is bad according to the Pomegranate Growers Association.
- Opt for a pomegranate that has a “fresh leather” appearance.
How to cut a pomegranate
Slice top & segment
- First, locate the stem, and make a thin slice across the fruit, to reveal the pomegranate’s insides.
- You’ll notice the pomegranate is divided into four to five sections by the white pulp.
- Using the blade of the knife, carefully make an incision from the open part of the fruit following a line of pulp all the way to the bottom of the fruit. Repeat for the remaining sections.
- Now, use your hands to pull apart the four sections.
Remove pulp and de-seed
- Remove the large middle membrane.
- Place the pomegranate in your hand, with the opened end facing your palm, and place over a bowl of water.
- Using the back of a wooden spoon, tap the skin of the pomegranate until most of the seeds have fallen out.
- Remove the remaining seeds by hand – if needed – making sure to toss out the pulp.
Soak in water
- You’ll notice the pulp will float and the seeds will sink, which helps separate them easily. Then you can store the pomegranate in the bowl of water, or drain the water and use as desired for snacking or in recipes.
Try these recipes with pomegranate
- Pomegranate Smoothie
- Pomegranate Roasted Chicken Thighs & Potatoes
- Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
- Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Roasted Delicata Squash
- Baked Brie Holiday Appetizer
- Lebanese Baba Ganoush Recipe
- Almond Milk Rice Pudding
- Stuffed Eggplant Recipe with Lamb & Pomegranate
- Kale & Pomegranate Pizza with Creamy Pesto Sauce
- Pomegranate Feta Salad
Frequently asked questions
In a tightly covered container, pomegranate seeds will last five days. They can be frozen for up to three months.
They are one of your long-lasting fruits. In a plastic bag in the refrigerator, whole pomegranates will last for two months. Unrefrigerated they are good for a month in a cool, shady place.
You will see pomegranate seeds called arils or arillus, which technically refers to the juicy, translucent red covering of the tiny seed that lies within.
Pomegranates are one of my favorite winter fruits. I love sprinkling them on yogurt, throwing them in salads, and just eating them by the spoonful.
For more tutorials for how to cut fruit:
- How to Cut a Peach
- How to Cut a Mango
- How to Cut a Kiwi Properly
- How to Properly Cut a Pineapple
- How to Cut Up a Watermelon
- How to Cut a Melon Up
- How to Cup up a Tomato
- How to Cut a Kiwi
- How to Cut an Orange
- How To Cut Up a Grapefruit
If you’ve found this cooking resource for How to Cut a Pomegranate helpful or if you’ve tried any recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience with this technique. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
How to Cut Pomegranate
Ingredients
- 1 Pomegranate
Instructions
- Holding the pomegranate firmly on a cutting board, make a ¼ inch incision across the top part of the fruit on the stem side. Remove the top portion and discard.
- You'll notice the pomegranate is divided into four sections by the white pulp. Using the blade of the knife, carefully make an incision from the open part of the fruit following the pulp all the way to the bottom of the fruit. Repeat for the remaining sections.
- Use your hands to pull apart the four sections and remove the large pulp in the middle.
- Place the pomegranate in your hand and place it over a bowl with water with the seeds facing your palm. Using the back of a wooden spoon, tap the skin of the pomegranate until most of the seeds have fallen out. You’ll notice the pulp will float and the seeds will sink, which helps separate them easily.
- Remove the remaining seeds by hand if needed, making sure to toss out the pulp.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Sooo genius and easy! Thank you for creating this little hack! Never buying over priced de-seeded pomegranates from the grocery store ever again.
Yay! So glad this hack will come in handy!