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Learn How to Cut a Pomegranate (or how to seed a pomegranate) with this super easy method. Along with this easy trick for cutting a pomegranate fruit, we’ll also share information about how to tell if a pomegranate is ripe, how to store them ways you can incorporate them into your diet.  

A pomegranate torn into 5 pieces with seeds scattered next to it.

There’s a couple different ways to peel pomegranates, but I find this to be the easiest method. Pomegranates offer so many health benefits that it’s worth learning how to peel them easily in order to take advantage of the nutritious seeds hidden inside.  

Four whole pomegranates sitting on a white oval metal platter with black rim.

What Are Pomegranates?

The pomegranate (aka Punica granatum) is a shrub that produces a vibrant red fruit. They’re categorized as a berry.  The tough dark red skin is not edible, but inside are hundreds (approximately 600) edible seeds.   These edible seeds are surrounded by a sweet juicy covering known as an aril.  

When Are Pomegranates in Season?

Most pomegranates grown in the United States typically come from California growers. Pomegranate season goes from September through December with peak supplies at your local market in October and November.

How to Tell if a Pomegranate is Ripe

When pomegranate season arrives, you should select pomegranate fruit with a shiny, smooth and firm skin without any cracks or bruising. You’ll want to pick up the pomegranate to feel its weight. The seeds are about 50 percent of the weight for the whole fruit. If it feels light for its size, then choose a heavier piece of fruit. Look for pomegranates with vertical ridges rather than a perfectly rounded fruit.

A glass bowl filled with water with a sliced red fruit sitting in the middle of the bowl.How to Seed a Pomegranate

  1. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the crown end off of the top. Then score the rind vertically from top to bottom along the ridges. Be careful not to slice too deeply or you’ll cut through the arils which will release some of the juice.
  2. Place the pomegranate in a deep bowl filled with water. Carefully break the sections apart, loosening the seeds with your fingers. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the papery membranes will float to the top. Using a slotted spoon, skim off the membranes and discard them along with the skin. Use a colander to drain the seeds.

A clear glass bowl filled with water and red arils

A clear glass bowl filled with red seeds and a white spoon resting in the bowl

How to Store Them

Pomegranates will keep at room temperature for up to a month. They can also be refrigerated for up to 2 months.

You can store the seeds in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. To freeze the seeds, just lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze them for an hour, then transfer to an air-tight freezer bag.

A clear glass measuring cup filled with red fruit seeds. Scattered seeds sit next to the cup.

How to Eat Pomegranate Seeds

Now that you know this easy trick for cutting a pomegranate, you can incorporate more fresh pomegranate fruit into your diet.  You can also buy frozen pomegranate seeds at your local market and health food store when fresh pomegranates aren’t in season.  Trader Joes often sells fresh pomegranate seeds in their produce section. Pomegranate seeds are sweet and tart and can be added to recipes in so many ways, or simply eat them by the handful.

  • Toss pomegranate seeds in green salads
  • Mix them into fruit salads
  • Blend them in your morning smoothies
  • Sprinkle on yogurt 
  • Garnish desserts with them
  • Sprinkle over oatmeal
  • Snack on the seeds
  • Juice the seeds and add the juice to these great tasting Pomegranate Elderberry Ice Cubes 
  • Use the seeds to make this Pomegranate Water
  • Make pretty pomegranate fruit ice cubes to add to water and tea
  • Use them to make a festive appetizer like this I did with this Cranberry Baked Brie 

A pomegranate cut into four pieces with pomegranate seeds scattered around it

More Cooking Resources

A pomegranate cut into 4 pieces with seeds scattered next to them.
Yield: 3/4 cup - 1 cup

How to Cut a Pomegranate

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Learn How to Cut a Pomegranate (or how to seed a pomegranate) with this super easy method. Along with this easy trick for cutting a pomegranate fruit, we'll also share information about how to tell if a pomegranate is ripe, how to store them ways you can incorporate them into your diet.  

Materials

  • 1 Pomegranate

Tools

  • Sharp knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Slotted spoon
  • Air-tight bags or container

Instructions

  1. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the crown end off of the top.
  2. Then score the rind vertically from top to bottom along the ridges. Be careful not to slice too deeply or you'll cut through the arils which will release some of the juice.
  3. Place the pomegranate in a deep bowl filled with water.
  4. Carefully break the sections apart, loosening the seeds with your fingers. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the papery membranes will float to the top.
  5. Using a slotted spoon, skim off the membranes and discard them along with the skin. Use a colander to drain the seeds.
  6. Transfer seeds to an air-tight bag or container and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

How to Choose the Best

First, pick up the pomegranate to feel its weight. The seeds are about 50 percent of the weight of the whole fruit. If it feels light for its size, then choose a heavier piece of fruit.

The pomegranate fruit should have a shiny skin without any cracks or bruising. 

How to Store Them

Pomegranates will keep at room temperature for up to a month. They can also be refrigerated for up to 2 months. You can store the seeds in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. To freeze the seeds, just lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze them for an hour, then transfer to an air-tight freezer bag.

© Deborah @The Harvest Kitchen
Category: Resources