How to Cut Pomegranate With No Mess
The pomegranate is a beautiful fruit with a crown of deliciously juicy ruby red seeds nestled inside a hard shell. Learn how to cut a pomegranate using this fool-proof and mess-proof step-by-step guide.
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This guide takes away any guesswork and shows you step-by-step how to easily cut a pomegranate with no mess. If you’re asking yourself “How do you cut a pomegranate?” you have come to the right place!
Why YOU will love Pomegranates
Ingredients
- Whole Pomegranate – Look for the fruit to be deep red in color and firm to the touch. The more weight usually equals more juice so hold them and choose the ones that feel heavier.
- Water – No too cold as your hands will be in the water as you maneuver the seeds out. Room temperature or lukewarm water is great.
Equipment
- Sharp Knife – With a sharp chef’s knife you can make a clean, precise cut.
- Large Bowl – A bowl deep enough to fully submerge the pomegranate.
- Fine-mesh Strainer – Make sure the holes in the strainer are small so the seeds don’t escape.
Multiple Uses: This basket strainer is great for sifting, draining, filtering, and straining.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.
Step 1
First, place the fruit on a cutting board.
If you need to steady the cutting board use a damp dishcloth underneath it to hold it still.
Step 2
Then, using the sharp knife, slice off the stem end (also known as the blossom end) at the top of the pomegranate.
Step 3
Next, use the chef’s knife to cut an ‘x’ across the top.
Don’t cut all the way through, just score the top less than an inch deep.
Step 4
Then, fill a large bowl with water.
Pop the pomegranate into the large bowl of water and with your fingers, break the pomegranate into four pieces with the help of the ridges you cut on the top.
To free all the juicy pockets, methodically break them out of the white membrane.
The white pith will float to the top while the arils sink to the bottom.
Step 5
Next, skim the peels and membranes out of the water.
You can discard these.
Step 6
Finally, use a fine-mesh strainer or colander to strain the water leaving you with only the arils behind.
Expert tip! Be sure to keep the pomegranate under the water to prevent the messy juice from squirting all over. By keeping the fruit under the water it is also much easier to remove the arils from the thick peels and membranes.
Wooden spoon method
Another method for getting the seeds out is to cut the pomegranate in half and loosen the seeds from the pith a bit by stretching out the sides with your hands.
Hold the cut side down over a large bowl and firmly tap on the round side with a wooden spoon. The seeds should fly out and into the bowl. Keep slapping it until the seeds are all out. Then repeat with the over half. This method can be a bit messier and we do recommend the water method.
The best all-purpose wooden spoon. They are lightweight and handy.
Serving suggestions
- Enjoy them as a snack by the spoonful or as an addition to other fresh fruits.
- Pomegranate arils taste delicious on yogurt or over oatmeal.
- One of our favorite pomegranate recipes is this lovely Pomegranate Citrus Dressing that is perfect for winter salads.
FAQS
Generally, pomegranate is available from late October through November and December. Sometimes you can find them as late as January depending on where you live.
The seeds, known as arils, are the edible part of the pomegranate. The white is bitter, which is why this method shows how to remove it.
Storage tips
- Store seeds in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- Freeze the seeds in a freezer bag for up to six months. Lay the fresh seeds out on a baking sheet to freeze then transfer them to a freezer bag. This will help keep them separated.
More how-to recipes
**This recipe was originally posted on November 25, 2013, and updated on December 31, 2018, and again on November 10, 2023, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**
If you’ve tried my method how to remove seeds from a pomegranate, please rate this recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!
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How to Cut a Pomegranate the Easy Way With No Mess!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate
Instructions
- Place the fruit on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife, slice off the stem end of the pomegranate.
- Next, cut an 'x' across the top, about ½ inch deep. Cut along the white membranes.
- Fill a deep bowl with water.
- Place the pomegranate in the water. Use your fingers to break the pomegranate into sections, digging your thumbs into the grooves of the 'x'. Keep the fruit under the water to prevent the juice from squirting out.
- Break all of the arils free from the white pith. They will sink to the bottom and the membranes will float.
- Skim the peels and membranes out of the water. Grab a colander and strain the water.
Video
Notes
Storage tips
- Store seeds in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- Freeze the seeds in a freezer bag for up to six months. Lay the fresh seeds out on a baking sheet to freeze then transfer them to a freezer bag. This will help keep them separated.
