Almost everyone loves the look and taste of pomegranates, with their sweet-tart flavor and almost jewelike appearance. But people often feel stumped when it comes to actually using the pomegranate seeds. Do you sprinkle them on yogurt or salad or just eat them by the handful? Those are all great options, but they are far from the only ones.
Here are 21 amazing pomegranate recipes for you to try!
1. Pistachio and Pomegranate Meatballs
You probably don’t think of meatballs when you think of pomegranate. But the truth is that they make a perfect glaze! These meatballs have a great nutty taste thanks to the pistachio and pomegranate seeds. Meanwhile the juice caramelizes as the meatballs cook, adding a delicious sweetness. Not to mention that the deep red juice makes for a beautiful centerpiece on your dinner table!
2. Pomegranate Feta Salad
Pomegranate lovers will tell you that the bright seeds are the perfect addition to salad. Not only do the seeds themselves provide a pleasant crunch, but the juicy arils add a bright, tart flavor that is hard to beat. This salad adds pomegranate arils to spinach, feta, apple slices, and walnuts.
Swap out the feta for goat cheese if you prefer and add some dressing — the recipe suggests either apple cider vinegar dressing or pomegranate vinaigrette.
3. Pomegranate Smoothie
Did you know that you could blend up pomegranate seeds? They make a delicious and nutritious addition to a fruit smoothie. This recipe combines pomegranate seeds with pineapple, banana, and a bit of Greek yogurt. The result is a filling and protein-packed drink that is also full of vitamins and antioxidants. It is the perfect choice for a satisfying breakfast or a post-workout protein punch.
Of course this is only one way to incorporate pomegranate in a smoothie — the combinations are endless!
4. Sticky Grilled Chicken With Pomegranate Glaze
Pomegranates make an absolutely scrumptious, fruity glaze for meat, like this sticky grilled chicken. This is a fresh and delicious spin on classic barbecue sauce, and even more amazing? You get to make it yourself! After trying this one-of-a-kind pomegranate glaze, you will never want to go back to sauce from a bottle. Plus, it is much healthier for you, lower in sugar and loaded with antioxidants! This is the perfect thing to share at your next barbecue or house party.
5. Homemade Grenadine Syrup
Grenadine syrup is used in countless cocktails, mocktails, and other special dishes. Once you make this delicious pomegranate syrup, you will never want to go back to the store-bought version. Don’t let the recipe intimidate you — it only uses three ingredients and is surprisingly easy to accomplish! All you need is pomegranate juice, regular sugar, and a tiny amount of orange blossom water.
Popular cocktails that use grenadine syrup include tequila sunrise, Shirley Temple, Singapore sling, hurricane, Malibu sunset, and many more.
6. Chickpea Pomegranate Salad
Pomegranates hail from the Middle East and Western Asia — specifically, Iran and India — so it should come as no surprise that they go great with other ingredients from that area, too. This chickpea pomegranate salad combines classic Middle Eastern ingredients to create a crisp and refreshing dish like you’ve never had before. Tossed with olive oil, cucumber, onions, the chickpeas and pomegranates have a distinctly Mediterranean flavor that you won’t be able to resist.
7. Greek Yogurt Cheesecake With Pomegranate Syrup
As if pomegranates couldn’t get any better, this recipe pairs them with cheesecake. Greek yogurt cheesecake is deliciously sweet and light with a mouthwatering pomegranate syrup. Between the creamy cheesecake and the tartness of the syrup, you will never want to buy a cheesecake from the store again. Finish it off with a handful of pomegranate arils for a cake that is so bright and colorful you won’t be able to look away.
8. Pomegranate Prosecco Punch
If you are stuck wondering what to serve at your next party, try this pomegranate prosecco punch. It is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser, with the perfect combination of booze and fruit to make it almost universally appealing. This sweet beverage is super easy to whip up and is great for any time of the year. Serve it at a summer barbecue or an office holiday party — you really can’t go wrong with this delicious, eye-catching drink.
9. Pomegranate Pecan Party Starter
Speaking of parties, who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned party appetizer? Finger foods are a must for any gathering, but it can be tricky to think of something that everyone will love. This pomegranate pecan party starter comes together in just a few minutes and is bound to make a gorgeous centerpiece at the table.
This is basically the chic modern version of a cheeseball, but believe us when we say it’s nothing like the one your grandmother used to serve.
10. Pomegranate Braised Short Ribs
When most of us think “pomegranate,” we imagine cake, ice cream, yogurt, smoothies, or just eating on their own. We don’t really think of a rack of ribs, but that’s where we’ve gone wrong. Pomegranate juice is a delectable pairing with short ribs, bringing out the deep, sweet notes in the meat. The recipe also calls for dry red wine, so this is definitely a sauce you can taste! Finish it off with a handful of pomegranate arils for a really eye-catching display.
11. Pomegranate Salsa
Who knew that you could turn pomegranates into salsa? This delicious salsa is perfect for the winter, when pomegranates are in season and tomatoes might be missing from the grocery store shelves. This simple recipe combines pomegranate arils with cucumber, jalapeno, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice for a deliciously sweet-spicy treat. Use it just as you would a traditional salsa: with chips, on tacos, fish, meat, or anything else you can imagine.
12. Cardamom Pomegranate Panna Cotta
Talk about an elegant dessert. If you have never had panna cotta, you will love making (and eating) this one-of-a-kind digestif. Don’t be intimidated: even if the recipe looks extremely elevated, it is actually pretty simple! Panna cotta is a milk pudding that uses gelatin to hold its shape. Most varieties add some interest with fruit. This glorious recipe spruces up the classic panna cotta with cardamom, pomegranate, oranges, and toasted coconut.
13. Pomegranate Cream Tart
Add this to your list of desserts that impress! A pomegranate cream tart, covered with a gorgeous layer of arils, needs no decoration. But despite its fancy look, the recipe calls for only six ingredients and you can make this in no time at all. No one will ever know that your five-star dessert was thrown together in just a few minutes. Pomegranate is the real star of the show with this tart, unlike many recipes where it is used as a garnish.
14. Pomegranate Molasses
If the words pomegranate molasses make you scratch your head, you have a treat in store. This delicious syrup is incredibly versatile and can be used as everything from an ice cream topping to a salad dressing to a glaze for meat. It is delightfully easy to make. After making it once, you will always want a bottle on hand. All it takes is pomegranate juice, lime juice, some sugar, and a hot pan to reduce it down to a syrup.
15. Chicken Salad With Apples, Pomegranate, And Beets
There is nothing better than a delicious salad with just a hint of sweetness. Apples are a common enough sight in chicken salad, but they are often accompanied by raisins, which is an instant failure in my book. This recipe prudently swaps out the raisins for pomegranate and adds some sliced beets as well. The result is a delicious modern version of the picnic classic with just the right amount of sweetness and acidity.
16. Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Bites
If your ears just perked up, it’s no wonder. This recipe sounds like something straight out of a gourmet chocolatier, but the truth is you can whip it up in your own kitchen in just a few minutes. All it takes is some dark chocolate, pomegranate arils, and a sprinkle of sea salt. These gorgeous candies make an amazing holiday gift — that is, if they make it out of your kitchen without being eaten.
17. Pomegranate Orange Muffins
Pomegranate and citrus are an amazing pairing, combining the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness. These brown butter buttermilk pomegranate orange muffins will step up your muffin game instantly. Incorporated whole into the muffin batter, the arils provide a delicious burst of juice and a nice nutty crunch. Combined with brown butter, orange zest, and vanilla, these muffins smell like Christmas morning — which is perfect, since pomegranates are a cold-weather fruit.
18. Labneh Dip With Pomegranate
What is labneh dip? It is a fantastic Greek dipping sauce made from Greek yogurt and savory spices. This version combines the sauce with sauce, olive oil, and a handful of bright pomegranate arils. The result is a sauce that you might not be able to stay away from. For the best results, thicken the yogurt sauce over 24 hours to improve the consistency. The next step is simply adding on the toppings and pairing them with your favorite cracker.
19. Roasted Vegetables With Pomegranate Vinaigrette
We said that pomegranate is perfect for almost anything, and we really meant it. This recipe uses a gorgeous pomegranate vinaigrette to season roasted vegetables, making a perfect autumn dish that brings out the natural sweetness in every element. As a child, you might not have liked cauliflower and brussels sprouts — but this recipe proves that prepared in the right way, they are basically candy for adults.
20. Pomegranate Ginger Sorbet
Don’t be afraid to make a truly delicious elevated dessert like this pomegranate ginger sorbet. This is a dish that will get everyone oohing and ahhing when they find out that you made it yourself! This light, fruity sorbet is the perfect way to wrap up a meal. The ginger adds an interesting spicy note, while the addition of elderflower liqueur is beautifully floral, bringing forward the sweetness of the pomegranate.
21. Cranberry Pomegranate Relish
Cranberry pomegranate relish is a far cry from the one-note cranberry sauce from a can. You don’t have to serve this delicious dish only at Thanksgiving, though it is the perfect finishing note for a main dish of turkey and stuffing. Filled with cranberries, pomegranate, and dark brown sugar, this beautifully sweet dish is a wonderful addition to the table at any time of year.
Conclusion
From glazes for meat to cocktails to baked goods, there are countless ways to use pomegranate that go beyond just sprinkling them on your morning oatmeal. You might even find that these recipes make their way into your regular meal plan, giving you even more reason to pick up a pomegranate the next time you go to the store.
Excited to learn more about this magical fruit? Then check out our pomegranate trees page for information on pomegranate planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and more!
Still hungry for more? Then discover our other fruit recipes to stock up your kitchen with nature’s healthy and tasty goodies!