21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (2024)

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (1)

So you picked up a

pomegranate at the grocery this week...but you're still not quite sure what to do with it. We've absolutely been there. Sure, you could paint a beautiful still life of the amazing winter fruit, but we'd rather make it our culinary muse. Once you crack one open, pomegranates reveal tons of juicy seeds (AKA arils) ripe and ready to stud your favorite winter salads, cozy dinners, co*cktails, and desserts. Once you've tried all these phenomenal pomegranate recipes, you'll 100% be high-tailing it back to the store for another one (or two.)

Step one: You've, of course, got to learn how to cut a pomegranate. Spoiler alert, it's not as hard as you might think! With a few easy tips, you'll safeguard your hands, your clothes, and your cutting board from any pomegranate juice stains, all without feeling like you're wrestling out each seed individually. So stress no more! Your white t-shirt will thank you.

Now that you've got your seeds ready, it's time to add a pop of color and sweet-tart flavor to your favorite savory dishes, like chiles en nogada, Brussels sprout salad, and even a festive Christmas cheeseball. It goes without saying that the tartness of pomegranate makes it an ideal addition to some of our favorite co*cktails, too. Just try our pomegranate mimosa and you'll never go back to regular OJ.

In a sweater weather state of mind? Be sure to check out all of favorite seasonal recipes that highlight the best of fall and winter, like our apple recipes, sweet potato recipes, and butternut squash recipes.

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1

Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (3)

When you're looking for a side dish that tastes extremely fresh even in the depth of winter, look no further than fennel salad. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfectly light and refreshing, especially if you serve it alongside heavier cold weather comfort foods. Try it paired with roasted chicken, juicy steak, or even mac 'n' cheese. (Seriously, it works!)

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2

Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (5)

You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.

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3

Chiles En Nogada

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (7)

Chiles en nogada is a traditional Mexican dish of poblano chiles that are stuffed with a fruit-and-nut-filled picadillo that is then covered with walnut sauce (nogada) and pomegranate seeds. It's also thought of as one of Mexico’s most patriotic dishes and it's easy to see why: The green of the poblanos, the red of the pomegranate seeds, and the white salsa de nogada make up the colors of the Mexican flag.

Get the Chiles En Nogada recipe.

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4

Pomegranate Martini

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (9)

More like a cosmopolitan than a classic martini, this recipe replaces the cosmo’s traditional cranberry juice with pomegranate. Garnish with a sugar rim and a fresh rosemary sprig for the perfect drink to serve at all your holiday gatherings.

Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.

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5

Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (11)

Making this salad might seem intimidating, but it doesn't actually require much prep. Tossed with a combo of toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, Brussels make a great side for any variety of Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.

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6

Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (13)

Looking for a stunning Christmas app that comes together in no time? Look no further than the humble cheese ball. This one is our winter holiday masterpiece, filled with three different types of cheese and studded with gorgeous pomegranate seeds. It looks classy as all get out, but is also crazy easy to make. Read on for our top tips for making it the best it can be.

Get the Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball recipe.

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7

Pomegranate Mimosas

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (15)

A few splashes of sweet-tart pomegranate juice goes a long way with champagne. Complete the look with plenty of pomegranate seeds to make these extra-holiday worthy.

Get the Pomegranate Mimosas recipe.

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8

Christmosas

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (17)

Packed with all our favorite winter fruits, this is the only thing you need in your hand while you open presents. Great for a late-night Christmas Eve party or early Christmas morning.

Get the Christmosas recipe.

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9

Papdi Chaat

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (19)

Papdi chaat can take on many variations, but this particular version is a monster of a delight with two chutneys, tender potatoes and chickpeas, tangy yogurt, a medley of eye-catching red onions, pomegranate seeds, diced tomatoes, and finished with a generous snowing of crunchy sev noodles. 😍

Get the Papdi Chaat recipe.

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10

Pomegranate Moscow Mule

This festive twist on the classic co*cktail will kill it at all your holiday parties. Moscow mules are always better with holiday flavors, especially with the addition of sweet-tart pomegranate.

Get the Pomegranate Moscow Mule recipe.

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11

Chocolate Pom Poms

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Did you know? With a mini muffin pan, some chocolate, and pomegranate seeds, you can make a super easy, light dessert in under 20 minutes!

Get the Chocolate Pom Poms recipe.

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12

Mistletoe Mules

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You can have a classic Moscow Mule any time of the year. The time for Mistletoe Mules on the other hand is very limited. You can skip the pomegranates (if you're not a fan), but the candy canes (crushed and whole) are 100% necessary.

Get the Mistletoe Mules recipe.

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13

Pork Tenderloin With Quinoa Pilaf

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Quinoa studded with pomegranate seeds adds the perfect festive touch to perfectly cooked pork.

Get the Pork Tenderloin With Quinoa Pilaf recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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14

Pom-Lime French 75

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (29)

Pomegranate and lime add a fruity twist to this traditional gin-and-bubbly drink.

Get the Pom-Lime French 75 recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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15

Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (31)

This winter dinner mixes all our favorite flavors of the season into this heart-healthy chicken dish.

Get the Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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16

Beautiful Brussels Sprouts

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A drizzle of sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses truly transforms these roasted veggies into something magical. And a garnish of pomegranate seeds make it a holiday show-stopper!

Get the Beautiful Brussels Sprouts recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

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17

Pomegranate Margarita

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (35)

Pomegranate seeds have a sweet-tart flavor that's similar to cranberries so they're perfect for a Thanksgiving or Christmas co*cktail, like this pomegranate margarita.

Get the Pomegranate Margarita recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

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18

White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (37)

The burst of tart pomegranate combined with the sweet white chocolate creates a balance of flavors in this perfect-for-the-holidays bark. To gift these, line a box with parchment paper or a new tea towel or napkin and fill with bark. You can also give small portions in gusseted clear plastic bags. Either way, be sure to tie it up with a pretty ribbon.

Get the White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark recipe from Country Living.

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19

Spiced Chicken Flatbreads

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (39)

These Mediterranean-inspired flatbreads are the perfect meal for an alfresco lunch or dinner any day of the week.

Get the Spiced Chicken Flatbreads recipe from Country Living.

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20

Pomegranate Molasses

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This sweet, tart, easy-to-make syrup is delicious drizzled over ice cream, shaken into salad dressing, stirred into sparkling water, or mixed into co*cktails.

Get the Pomegranate Molasses recipe from Country Living.

21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It (2024)

FAQs

What's wrong with eating pomegranate seeds? ›

The seeds are safe for most people to eat, although excessive intake may cause intestinal blockage in rare cases. This risk is greater for people with chronic constipation (7, 8 ).

Are you supposed to eat the whole pomegranate seed? ›

The technical name for the juicy seeds inside a pomegranate is aril, which refers to the thin skin and pulp that surrounds the tiny white seed itself. Once the arils have been freed from the pithy membranes that surround them, the entire seed is edible.

Can pomegranate seeds cause kidney stones? ›

Pomegranates can give you the potassium you need. Work with your kidney dietitian to create a meal plan that allows you to safely consume pomegranates. Eating pomegranates will not have an effect on forming kidney stones.

Why do I feel sick after eating pomegranate seeds? ›

Can cause digestive problems – Pomegranate can irritate your gastrointestinal tract and block the digestive tract. Too much consumption of Pomegranate may cause nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, constipation, or diarrhea in some cases.

Why can't you eat too much pomegranate? ›

A small number of people may experience digestive issues such as diarrhea from eating pomegranates, the NIH reports. Although you probably won't eat the root, stem and peel, consuming too much of these parts of the fruit may not be safe. For most people, pomegranates offer yet another tasty option to eat more fruit.

Are pomegranates good for men? ›

Dr. Li said pomegranates can also benefit men's health, having been linked to alleviating erectile dysfunction due to an ability to produce nitric oxide. She explained that nitric oxide improves the health of blood vessels and causes them to widen and increase circulation.

What part of a pomegranate can you not eat? ›

Note that small scratches on the skin won't affect the inside. Only eat the seeds. Though the white, pithy part is safe to eat, it's bitter and most people choose to discard it. The skin is technically edible as well but generally used in extract and powdered forms.

Is it better to swallow or spit out pomegranate seeds? ›

You can eat the whole arils including the fiber-rich seeds, or spit out the seeds if you prefer- it's your choice! The rind and the white membranes surrounding the arils are bitter and we don't suggest eating them- although some say even that part of the pomegranate has medicinal value!

What medications do pomegranates interfere with? ›

Possible Interactions
  • ACE inhibitors. These types of drugs are used to control high blood pressure and to treat heart failure and prevent kidney damage in people with diabetes. ...
  • Blood pressure medication. Pomegranate juice may lower blood pressure. ...
  • Statin, medications used to lower cholesterols. ...
  • Warfarin (Coumadin).

Why can't kidney patients eat pomegranate? ›

However, for those patients with kidney disease or who are following a low potassium diet, the potassium content needs to be monitored very closely considering one pomegranate has more potassium than a medium banana. One pomegranate contains 666 mg potassium, while a medium banana contains 422 mg potassium.

What are the side effects of eating pomegranate seeds? ›

While pomegranate seeds are generally safe for most people, some individuals may experience allergic reactions. Allergic responses to pomegranate seeds can manifest as itching, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Who should not drink pomegranate juice? ›

Drinking pomegranate juice might increase the risk of blood pressure dropping too low in people who already have low blood pressure. Allergies to plants: People with plant allergies seem to be more likely to have an allergic reaction to pomegranate. Surgery: Pomegranate might affect blood pressure.

Do you eat pomegranate seeds or spit them out? ›

What part of the pomegranate do I eat? You see those glistening red jewels inside? They're called arils, and they're full of delicious, nutritious sweet-tart juice surrounding a small white crunchy seed. You can eat the whole arils including the fiber-rich seeds, or spit out the seeds if you prefer- it's your choice!

What happens to your body when you eat pomegranate? ›

Pomegranates can have up to three times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals and reduce inflammation. Studies suggest that pomegranates can help protect your heart in many ways, such as lowering blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels.

Are pomegranate seeds good for your gut? ›

Additionally, pomegranate arils are rich in fiber, which is essential for digestive health and may protect against some digestive conditions. Pomegranate arils are also rich in fiber, which serves as fuel for probiotics and helps prevent certain digestive health conditions.

Who should not eat pomegranates? ›

If you have diabetes, ask your doctor before drinking fruit juices, including pomegranate. If you have diarrhea, do not drink pomegranate juice or take pomegranate extract. Pregnant women should not take pomegranate extract because it may contain fruit rind.

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