How to Cut a Pomegranate – Mess Free Method!

Ruby red pomegranates, with jewel like seeds, are beautiful and delicious, with amazing health benefits. Try one today! This step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to cut a pomegranate and remove the arils.

Pomegranates have been calling my name lately every time I go to the grocery store.

This time, they called my name and said, “Hey lookie, I’m on sale!!!”

And then two jumped into my cart. I had no idea what I would do with them, but I knew I was going to eat them. And take photos of them. They are so pretty!

Did you know that a pomegranate is classified as a berry? It’s been cultivated for millennia and is treasured for the juicy tart seeds inside, since the skin is inedible. The seeds are enclosed in a juicy covering and are called arils. There can be 200 to 1,400 seeds in one pomegranate! The white membrane surrounding the arils is also inedible.

The task of breaking a pomegranate open and getting to the seeds (arils) can be a little daunting, like excavating a hidden treasure. The arils are embedded in the membrane and take a little coaxing to emerge. This step-by-step tutorial will help you get to the little jewels inside the fruit.

How to Cut a Pomegranate and not make a mess

Step 1: Gather supplies

• sharp knife
• cutting board
• towel (use an old towel because the juice stains)
• large bowl filled with cold water
• slotted spoon
• strainer

Step 2: Wash the pomegranate

Isn’t it beautiful? Maybe I’ll buy a few extra and use them for a centerpiece!

Step 3: Slice off the top

I call it the “crown” but it’s technically called the calyx.

Step 4: Score the pomegranate in four or five places

For photo purposes, the cuts are a little deeper than they need to be. Shallow scoring is what you’re looking for, just cutting through the tough red skin. Try not to cut into the juicy arils.

Step 5: Place the pomegranate in a bowl of water

You’ll want to place the cut pomegranate upside down (cut side down) in a bowl of cold water and leave it there for about 10 minutes

Soaking helps to loosen the arils.

Step 6: Separate Arils

Remove the pomegranate from the bowl of water, leaving the water in the bowl. Pry open the cut edges of the pomegranate, exposing the arils. and begin to separate the arils (seeds) with your fingers. Do this under the water in the bowl to avoid making a mess.

Step 7: Remove Membrane

Let the arils fall into the bowl of water. They will sink and the white membrane will float to the top so you can easily remove it. When you’re done, simply skim the membrane off with your slotted spoon and discard it. 

Step 8. Remove seeds

Take the seeds out from the water. This is where your strainer comes in handy! 

Step 9: Use them!

You can snack on pomegranate seeds right from the bowl or enjoy them in the fun recipes listed below. Each pomegranate will yield approximately one cup of arils.

Or just marvel over how seriously pretty these little jewels are!

Recipes Using Pomegranate

Salad with Pomegranate and Pecans from Rachel Cooks
Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Orange, and Pine Nuts from Rachel Cooks

Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta from Rachel Cooks

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch from Rachel Cooks
Pomegranate Mojitos from Rachel Cooks