21 Pomegranate Recipes That Make Taking Out All Of Those Seeds Actually Worth It
This sweet-tart fruit is about to add serious pop to your dinner plans.
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, cocktails, 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 cocktails, 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.
Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes
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!)
Get the Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes recipe.
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
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.
Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Chiles En Nogada
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.
Pomegranate Martini
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.
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad
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.
Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball
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.
Pomegranate Mimosas
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.
Christmosas
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.
Papdi Chaat
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.
Pomegranate Moscow Mule
This festive twist on the classic cocktail 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.
Chocolate Pom Poms
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.
Mistletoe Mules
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.
Pork Tenderloin With Quinoa Pilaf
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.
Pom-Lime French 75
Pomegranate and lime add a fruity twist to this traditional gin-and-bubbly drink.
Get the Pom-Lime French 75 recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash
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.
Beautiful Brussels Sprouts
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.
Pomegranate Margarita
Pomegranate seeds have a sweet-tart flavor that's similar to cranberries so they're perfect for a Thanksgiving or Christmas cocktail, like this pomegranate margarita.
Get the Pomegranate Margarita recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark
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.
Spiced Chicken Flatbreads
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.
Pomegranate Molasses
This sweet, tart, easy-to-make syrup is delicious drizzled over ice cream, shaken into salad dressing, stirred into sparkling water, or mixed into cocktails.
Get the Pomegranate Molasses recipe from Country Living.
