A delicious step-by-step tutorial and video detailing two methods for how to open and de-seed a pomegranate.
Hey guys! I have a new How-To Tuesday tutorial for you today. And actually, this one includes a bonus — not just one, but two fool-proof methods for how to open and de-seed a pomegranate.
Because I don’t know about you, but I absolutely adore these little gems (that literally look like cute little gems, right?!). And during the short time of year that they’re in season, I always keep at least a few pomegranates stocked in my fridge so that I can sprinkle them on salads, mix them into one of my favorite salsas, brighten up some tacos, garnish some sangria or cocktails or ice cream, or — my favorite — just pop them as a snack like candy. So good!!
That said, though, pomegranates definitely make you work for it, and can be notoriously tricky (and messy) to open. So today, I thought I want to share with you my favorite two methods for safely opening a pomegranate and getting all of those delicious little gems (did you know they’re technically called “arils”) out of the shell and into your recipe…without splattering bright red pomegranate juice all over you in the process.
Do you know both methods?
How To Cut A Pomegranate | 1-Minute Video
Well, if you regularly eat pomegranates, you probably know that the trick to successfully de-seeding them is to do most (or all) of the process underwater. Because pomegranate juice loves to splatter and stain, so keeping the arils submerged most of the time is the best way to avoid having a red polka-dotted sweater. ;)
So fill a big mixing bowl with some water, grab a sharp knife and a cutting board, and give one of these two methods a try!
How To Cut A Pomegranate
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with water. Set aside.
- Wash the outside of the pomegranate thoroughly. (This is important since the outer skin may eventually be underwater with the pomegranate seeds.)
- Hold the pomegranate firmly on a cutting board and use a large sharp kitchen knife to carefully make a vertical cut down the middle to split it in two. Then look for the ridges (see video) where the pomegranate arils reach the outer edges of the pomegranate, and use your knife to carefully score the outside skin along those ridges.
- Then (option 1) completely submerge one pomegranate half in the bowl of water, and spread the pomegranate open into a flour. Use your fingers to carefully separate the arils from the rind, gently prying the rind apart more and more to reveal all of the arils. Or (option 2) firmly hold the pomegranate arils-side-down right above the water, and use a strong wooden spoon to hit the outside pomegranate skin on all sides until the arils drop down into the water.
- You’ll notice that the arils will sink, and the rind will float. Once all of the arils have been separated, remove and discard the floating pieces of rind. And then use your fingers to once more pick through all of the arils that are sitting on the bottom to remove any tiny pieces of rind that are still stuck to individual arils. Remove and discard this rind.
- Then strain out the water, and your pomegranate arils are ready to go! Use immediately, or refrigerate in a sealed airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Love this post, I always struggle with pomegranates!
Rachael xx.
Thank you so much for this info. Up until now I’ve been going nuts trying to get the seeds out with a teaspoon.
Thanks so much for the fabulous tutorial! I just linked out to it in my post about Couscous Salad with Pomegranate Seeds & Mint. (Delicious!) After a ‘bad’ experience, I cheat and buy my pomegranate seeds already ‘loose’ … but wanted to share your wonderful post as a resource for my readers!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i’m happy to express that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I most without a doubt will make sure to do not put out of your mind this site and provides it a look regularly.
Unquestionably imagine that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the net the simplest factor to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while other folks consider issues that they just don’t recognise about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top neatly as defined out the whole thing with no need side-effects , other folks could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks
I also have just gotten a Canon rebel and still trying to figure this wonderful camera out. Those are great pictures. Did you use the macro?
I never thought of freezing pomegranate seeds! Will have to do so. Thanks for the tips! I tried the Seen-on-food-network method of whacking the pomegranate with a spoon, and that was the biggest mess ever…
I’m obsessed too, and as a young bachelor I have the time to actually open and de-seed one of these crazy things hahah. I’d like to just suggest another tested method. Over a table, have a bowl, a plate, a butter knife and some patience ready =)
I) Holding the pomegranate upright, gently press the butter knife blade down in to the peel starting at the flower-shaped opening is. Saw with the butter knife if need be.
II) DON’T cut through, only cut until you can just see the yellow layer underneath.
III) Continue gently cutting down the side of the fruit, around the bottom, through the back and up to meet the first cut (completing a full circle)
IV) Place the knife down and hold the pomegranate with each hand on either side of the circular cut, gently pull in to halves. This way, the seeds inside aren’t damaged. Then, gently remove seeds.
I adore pomegranates. Have you ever tried whacking the back side of the pomegranate half with a wooden spoon? You wouldn’t believe the number of seeds that fall right out (in perfect condition).
Fabulous photos!
:)
ButterYum
Ha! No, I’ve never heard of the wooden spoon trick, ButterYum! Will have to give that a try when pomegranate season rolls around again. :) Fun!
~A
Hello! This is great. I just bought a pom to use for the holiday but I really had no idea how to go about getting them out, so thanks for this!
You mentioned freezing, but I was wondering if you knew how long these would keep in a fridge (if at all). Like if I do the seeding tonight will keep until Christmas?