How to cut open and de-seed a pomegranate. Step-by-step instructions with photographs.
Method
1 Pomegranate juice stains. So before you begin to cut into one, make sure you are wearing something that you don't care too much about, like an old t-shirt. The juice will stain a wood cutting board (you can use vinegar or lemon juice to get the pink out) so you may want to cut on a plastic cutting board. Work close to the sink, making cuts and then moving the pomegranate over a large bowl to open.
2 With a chef's knife, make a cut through the crown of the pomegranate, half-way through the fruit.
Use your fingers to pry open the fruit the rest of the way. It helps to work over a large bowl, so that as you open the fruit, any loose seeds fall into the bowl. If you work over a bowl, open the fruit into the bowl, so any juice splatters into the bowl, and not on to you.
3 Make a second cut, again half-way through the fruit, starting at the crown. Again use your fingers to pry open the pomegranate.
4 Working over a bowl, use your fingers to pry away the seeds from the peel and membranes. If you like, you can fill the bowl part way with water. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the water while pieces of membrane will float to the top, making it easier to separate the membranes from the seeds. If you are concerned about staining your counter top, you can pry open the pomegranate and remove the seeds underwater.
Once you are done stripping the pomegranate seeds from the skin and membranes, skim the membranes from the top of the water, and strain the seeds from the water.
5 Put the seeds into a serving bowl and munch away. Remember to be careful about where you are eating them. Seeds falling onto a light carpet and then getting squished will cause staining. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
6 At this stage, if you want to make juice from the seeds, pulse a cup at a time in a blender, just enough to break the seeds, and then use a rubber spatula to push the juice through a fine sieve. Add sugar to desired sweetness level. 2 large pomegranates will generally yield 1 cup of juice.
How to freeze pomegranate seeds
Once you have de-seeded your pomegranate, make sure the seeds are dry. Arrange them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place in freezer for 2 hours or until frozen. Once frozen, put them into a freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer.
Thank you, Elise, for posting these instructions — I love pomegranates and just bought one the other day, and was wondering how best to go about opening it. This is deceptively easy!
At our house, we use these same steps, but do all of this in either a large bowl full of water or a sink full of water. This really helps cut down on the splatters. Of course, I cannot eat dinner without wearing it.
“I cannot eat dinner without wearing it.”
LOL!
I love the way the one time I forget to wear my scuzzy T that’s when the spirit of Jackson Pollock invades my pomegranate.
I love pomegranates! Thanks so much for the great tips. I usually just pick the seeds directly from the pomegranate, though. Irresistable.
I Love pomegranates. My “produce lady” taught me this method, which is less messy than the one you demonstrate: With a paring knife cut out central top section (the”tiara”) and bottom in a circle—trying not to pierce any seeds. Score the flesh into eight sections—peel apart—separate seeds from membranes.
I love a combo of the seeds with diced mango. I put the seeds, sliced strawberries, and chocolate chips and almond slivers over raspberry sorbet. But one of my absolute favorite uses is this recipe. Everyone loves it–not every ingredient has to be included, but the dressing is crucial (dressing from Cooking Light–the rest I augmented).
Strawberry, Pomegranate, Clementine, Spinach Salad
Salad ingredients:
Baby spinach
Sliced strawberries
Clementines in sections (or navel orange)
Pomegranate seeds
Feta cheese crumbled (optional)
I like to toss the spinach only with the poppy seed dressing, then add the rest of the ingredients on top in individual portions.
Poppy Seed Dressing:
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar (balsamic or red wine)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Process first 5 ingredients for 30 seconds in a blender. With blender running, pour oil through food chute in a slow, steady stream, and process until smooth. Stir in poppy seeds. Keeps for weeks in the fridge. This salad is also very good in the summer—just impossible to add the pomegranate seeds.
I’ve never actually eaten a fresh pomegranate before; so what you’re saying is all you eat are the seeds and discard the rest?
I haven’t tried this, but my friends make Pomegranate Jelly and juice using a electric citrus juicer (Waring). Cut them in half and juice like an orange. Messy, but if you’re doing a lot, it does speed things up.
Hi Lady – I love picking the seeds directly from the pomegranate. Yesterday when I was picking a bunch from our tree one fell and cracked open. I just sat there in the grass and munched.
Hi Sassy – Thanks for the recipe! Yes, the score and section method works too. We just process so many of these that this is the way we’ve found that is most expedient.
Hey Cakgrrl – and 2 for $5 at Whole Foods. Sounds like Davis is a better deal. The price of poms is why this year I wrote “Please Do Not Steal” on all the pomegranates within reach on our tree. Last year someone wiped us out of half the crop one night. Didn’t even have enough pomegranates left to make juice. This year however, only a couple have been swiped so far (knock on wood).
Hi Rebecca – yes, eat the seeds and compost the rest.
Hi Cal – I’ve made juice that way too. It is about 3 times as fast in terms of getting the juice. However, the juice isn’t quite as good as it ends up getting more of the bitterness of the membrane in it. So, if you really are picky for perfection, the seed-it-first method is the way to go.
There is an even easier method of deseeding a pomegranate…
After cutting it in 1/2 hold the pomegranate cut side down over a large bowl and with the back of a large spoon, continually smack the pomegranate. All the seeds will come right out and should fall right into the bowl.
I would have to agree with Matt. I was shown this by a Moroccan chef, but he used the flat end of a knife. I think the water makes things easier, but it can also wash away some of the precious juice.
These photos are jewel-gorgeous!
I’ve always loved pomegranates but they were only a rare treat when I was young. Because of the staining problem, we were only allowed to eat them occasionally and always had to put on some old clothes first!
Thank you so much for posting this. I have always wanted to try pomegranates, but never knew how to eat them or even which part!! I will definitely have to try this weekend!
Ok this may be a stupid question, but do you eat the hard seed inside or spit it out? I tried eating them and it does kind of hurt my teeth.
Hi Julie – great question! When I was a kid I always spit out the hard seed. Now as an adult, I just chew it with the entire pomegranate seed. To each her own.
And here I was, thinking the pomegranate was an impossible fruit. Thank you, once again.
By the way, your tuna salad sandwich has become a favorite.
I’ve just been putting a handful in my mouth, sucking the juice off the seeds, then spitting the seeds out. Kind of messy but really yummy. If you chew the hard part of the seeds and swallow them, are there any special nutrients obtained? I imagine they would be good for fiber (providing they don’t cause a blockage)
Elise, do you think it’ll be alright to freeze the seeds for future use?
Charlotte, I never spit the seeds out when I eat pomegranate, and I’ve done this for 30+ years. Swallowing them is not a big deal, and I’ve never had any problems. The seeds are somewhat soft, in fact, so they probably get digested. Eating the seeds whole is faster, and it does give you the satisfaction of eating the whole fruit. I don’t know anything about the nutritional content of the tiny pits, though. I suspect they contain a bunch of minerals and lots of fiber.
Hello!
Love the site! In regards to Noel’s question, I froze the individual arils after removing the membrane & outer rind, etc. I put them in a freezer bag on 11/23/06 and just pulled out the bag today on 12/10/06. My kids and I ate them straight out of the bag – cold & frozen but yummy! I plan to freeze more arils for use out of season – if I can keep from eating them all… :-)
PS I agree with Elise – Jackson Pollock’s spirit must be in every pomegranate I buy…
I use a different technique for Pomegranates that I saw on Iron Chief. Cut the pomegranate in half across the middle, not top to bottom. Then take a heavy serving spoon and proceed to spank the pomegranate vigorously over a bowl. The arils will just fall out.
Note from Elise: Hi David, I have heard about that tip and have tried it without success. Frankly I think they must be using old pomegranates or a different variety than what is typically grown in the US. That technique has never worked sufficiently with our pomegranates.
My Mom and I had never cut one open until just now – we didn’t know where to start. Thankfully, my laptop was on the counter – you saved Christmas dinner! ;)
Was glad to find directions on how to use the pomegranate I bought with a dollar off coupon!
Love the juice taste, and don’t mind eating the nut-like seeds too.
Going to have to try to freeze some seeds though, as can’t eat all that came from only one fruit!
I have tried all of the above methods for juicing pomegranates except beating with a spoon. By far the fastest way I have found is cutting the fruit in quarters and squeezing in the Wearever Orange squeezer I inherited from my mother. Place in the “bowl” and press down on the handle to squeeze the juice out. I put about 3 gallons of juice in my freezer last fall in quart baggies. We add it to other fruit juices to drink every morning with breakfast.
Thank you so much, what a great site!! My first pomengranate and it is sitting on the counter looking at me, was mocking me, but now I know how to handle it. What a wonderful site!!!
Ok, I must be the country cousin or something. I cut mine in half, and then score the rind and just pull off chunks. I take a chunk and pull back on both sides of the rind which pulls the membrane away from the seeds… and I just bite right in!! I do bite down on the seeds to crack them open but I have been spitting them out after the pulp is gone. Not as elegant as the rest of you… but quick and easy!
Does anyone know for how long can the seeds be frozen? I’d like to enjoy them over the summer as well.
I make raspberry jelly when the season rolls around. Any comments as to making pomegranate jelly? I would strain out all of the seeds. Would you make it with the same proportions as raspberries? Alternatively I could put the juice into my marmalade. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Check out our recipe for pomegranate jelly. :-) ~Elise
Honestly, the best way I’ve found to enjoy pomegranate is to pour a nice hot bath, put a garbage bin or bowl next to the tub for the rind and membrane, get naked, and enjoy that pomegranate and soak. Doesn’t hurt to have a little vino too. Simple indulgence.
Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions for eating pomegranate. I have always seen them in the grocery but would never buy them because I did not know how to eat them. Now I can try them. Thanks for the help.
I had to post this. I went to UT so Whole Foods is my favorite grocery store. If you’re ever in Austin, make sure that you go the one on 6th St. & Lamar. Anyway, they have a fabulous website that tells you everything you wanted to know about storing any type of fruit. Here’s the link for pomegranates:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/guides/fruits.php#pomegranates
Enjoy!
I bought 20 or more organic. They are so wonderful and healthy. I keep all the seeds in a frozen bag in the freezer and keep them as long as I want. Every morning I eat 2 or 4 tablespoon of seeds, eat the whole things, I enjoy the flavor I have enough for 3 to 6 months ahead. It is a delice fruit.
I must have found a magic pomegranate because I spilled juice all over my counter (off white color) and it did not stain my counter one bit. It wiped right up, no staining, and the juice was so sweet no sugar needed at all!!
It works even better and avoids the splatters if you fill a bowl or the sink with water and do it all under water. The bitter yellow skin part floats and the delicious seeds sink to the bottom where its easy to get them.
I open it a different way but this totally works tooo!!! thx!
-DM
This was soooo helpful! You mentored me through my first fresh pomegranate. Thank you! I was careful, but I still splashed pomegranate droplets all around my sink. Luckily no stains, but I can see why you were always sent outside to eat them as a kid. They are the perfect messy kid food!
omg i just ate my first pomegranate and it was wonderful no wonder all of my friends bring bags of them to school and just eat them throughout the day they are wonderful!!!!! i love them but i am kind of worried about eating the hard inner seed although i have been eating them anyways (to hard to resist) is it ok to eat it?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to eat the inner seed. We always do. No problem. ~Elise
Thank you for posting this info. I always ate them by just picking at them but it was way messy. I just tried this today and it worked WONDERFULLY! No staining on my clothes and only a minimal amount of juices on the cutting board and knife (that easily wiped clean). It was so nice to just eat the seeds by the handful instead of painstakingly pick at them. Thank you!
Thanks Elise!!! This totally works and i got the chance to try it over and over again this weekend Now i can indulge my pomegranate kick quickly!!
I recently bought pomegranate seeds from a produce market. How long are they good for once they’ve been taken out of the casing?
You should probably eat them up within a few days. Store them in the fridge, covered, or they will quickly dry out. ~Elise