The Easiest Way to Cut a Pomegranate and Remove the Seeds

Pomegranates are a standout in the fall and winter produce aisle. Beautiful, vibrant, and uniquely shaped, they contain deep red arils that hold the pomegranate's juice and seeds. The arils look like jewels and are sometimes referred to as rubies or gems—they can be eaten as is or used to add a pop of color, texture, and flavor to any number of dishes.

But how do you access them? The pomegranate's outer skin is thick and tough, and a white membrane encases all the arils—it's not as straightforward as peeling an orange or slicing an apple. However, like many things, cutting a pomegranate and removing the seeds is easy once you know the right way to do it. Here, we show you how.

Buying Pomegranates

Pomegranates are in season in the fall. Look for them in unrefrigerated section of the produce department between September and January.

Selecting a Ripe Pomegranate

For the easiest cutting and seeding experience, you'll want to make sure that your pomegranate is at peak ripeness. There should be no hints of green on the fruit, and it should be between a deep red and purple color, with no blemishes on its skin, and it will feel heavy for its size. The heavier the pomegranate, the more juice the fruit will contain, so pick one with a good heft to it, says Thomas Joseph, VP culinary director of Martha Stewart Brand and the host of our Kitchen Conundrums series.

Why Our Method Is the Best Way to Cut a Pomegranate

There are various techniques for cutting a pomegranate. The method Martha, Thomas Joseph, and our test kitchen editors prefer is quick and easy—and doesn't require any special equipment. Some cooks use this same method but do it in a bowl of water to avoid getting juice on themselves. Other techniques call for cutting the pomegranate into sections after you halve it. We find that is messier and results in cutting into the arils. Some methods start with slicing the top and bottom off the pomegranate to make it more stable, but that is not necessary with our method.

What You Need

• Cutting board
• Chef's knife or paring knife
• Wooden spoon or metal spoon
• Wide bowl

How to Cut a Pomegranate

1. Score the pomegranate around its equator, taking care not to cut through the skin and into the arils, working all the way around the fruit in a circular motion.
2. Use your fingers to separate the two sections and pull them apart.

If the pomegranate is ripe, it should come apart with slight pulling. If you cannot separate the two halves this way, score the fruit a bit deeper and try again.

How to Remove Pomegranate Seeds

Now comes the fun part, getting the arils out of the membrane. Grab your spoon and bowl. Joseph says the wider the bowl you use, the easier it will be to capture all of the seeds the tapping releases.

1. Flip half of the pomegranate over in your hand and use the back of a spoon to gently tap the back of the pomegranate. The seeds will fall out into the bowl.
2. Rotate both the halved fruit and the spoon as you go to make sure that you are tapping the fruit at all angles and not leaving any of the arils hidden in the pomegranate membranes. Repeat with the other half of the fruit.
3. Remove any small pieces of the white membrane that might have fallen into the bowl with the arils.

Joseph loves this easy technique, "In just a few seconds, the pomegranate will be completely seeded," he says. "Then you're ready to serve your pomegranate in fruit salad, to garnish a cocktail, or enjoy as a snack."