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Our Best Pomegranate Recipes

Our Best Pomegranate Recipes

April 15, 2019

Photo: Jennifer Causey, Styling: Mindi Shapiro

If you've scarcely cooked with pomegranate before, don't worry. The tart, antioxidant-rich fruit can add texture, juice, and flavor to various main dish recipes, salads, baked goods, drinks, and desserts. Use our favorite recipes as an intro to the pomegranate's many uses.

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Pomegranate Spritzer

Jennifer Causey

Pomegranate Spritzer Recipe

This is a wonderfully festive beverage to open a dinner party: Sweet-tart pomegranate juice is balanced by bitters and spiked with vodka and fizzy rosé. Find pomegranate arils in the refrigerated area of the supermarket produce section; they’ll save you at least 10 minutes because you won’t need to pull the arils from a whole pomegranate.

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Pomegranate-Poached Pears

Caitlin Bensel

Pomegranate-Poached Pears Recipe

Mixing low-fat Greek yogurt with crème fraîche yields a decadent-tasting topping with less saturated fat.

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Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken

Caitlin Bensel

Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken Recipe

Sweet and tangy pomegranate juice gives the chicken a gorgeous garnet-hued glaze. Dress up the quinoa pilaf by adding a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for a pop of salty flavor.

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Pomegranate-Goat Cheese Dip

Photo: Jennifer Causey, Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Pomegranate-Goat Cheese Dip Recipe

A burst of fruity flavor sets this dip apart from the crowd.

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Ham Cured Pineapple with Prosciutto and Pomegranate

Photo: Kalsey Hansen

Ham Cured Pineapple with Prosciutto and Pomegranate Recipe

Most people adorn their holiday ham with pineapple. This year, flip the script and "hamify" a whole pineapple. The result is a "wow" worthy holiday centerpiece that resembles a modern version of the classic ham, pineapple, and maraschino cherry combination. The glaze, pomegranate, prosciutto, and charred pineapple hit every flavor note in the book. Carve the pineapple like, well... a ham.

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Sherry-Glazed Parsnips with Pomegranate

Jennifer Causey

Sherry-Glazed Parsnips with Pomegranate Recipe

Sweet parsnips are an excellent match for the sherry glaze. Remember to remove their tough peels; these won’t soften in the pan. Try this side with a mild protein such as roasted chicken or pork loin.

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Pomegranate Paloma

Greg DuPree

Pomegranate Paloma Recipe

Classic palomas call for grapefruit soda. Here, we use fresh grapefruit juice for a fruit-forward beverage with less sugar and more vitamin C. Pomegranate juice boosts fruity flavor and packs a punch of heart-healthy polyphenols.

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Pomegranate Champagne Jello Shots

David Fenton

Pomegranate Champagne Jello Shots Recipe

These sophisticated squares are a far cry from the jello shots you had in college. They're not very sweet, so if you'd like them sweeter, use demi-sec sparkling wine. The Pop Rocks® pop immediately once they're wet, so serve them on the side, to be sprinkled on right before eating.

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Pomegranate, Avocado, and Citrus Brussels Sprouts Salad

pomegranate-avocado-citrus-brussels-sprouts-salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Pomegranate, Avocado, and Citrus Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe

Be sure to toss the salad gently so the pieces of orange and avocado keep their shape. Pair with a fall chili or tacos.

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Pomegranate & Celery Salad

Pomegranate & Celery Salad Recipe

Lunch: Keep hunger pangs away with these healthy and delicious dishes! 150 calories and under. Lose weight the 5:2 way. This healthy, quick and easy recipe is featured in the lunch section of the new 5:2 Starter's Guide to The 2-Day Diet. The book provides a selection of over 100 tasty recipes that meet the daily 500 calorie allotment for the 2 days of intermittent fasting, as required by the 5:2 Diet.

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Yogurt Pound Cake with Pomegranate Syrup

Photo: Sheri Giblin; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Yogurt Pound Cake with Pomegranate Syrup Recipe

Not your typical pound cake. Shaya adds Greek yogurt to the batter for a slight tang, then soaks the cake in a fragrant lemon-cardamom liquid and serves it with spiced pomegranate syrup.

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Spelt, Toasted Oat and Pomegranate Scones

Photo: Jennifer Causey, Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Spelt, Toasted Oat and Pomegranate Scones Recipe

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Pomegranate-Glazed Pork Skewers with Dill-Onion Marinade

Photo: Eric Wolfinger

Pomegranate-Glazed Pork Skewers with Dill-Onion Marinade Recipe

Cookbook author Paula Wolfert learned how to make these herby, tangy skewers on an adventure in the Caucasus Mountains. The same marinade is also delicious with chicken thighs or extra-firm tofu. The onions are traditionally grated by hand, but the marinade comes together in seconds in a food processor. This recipe is adapted from one in Unforgettable: The Bold Flavors of Paula Wolfert's Renegade Life (Mortar and Pestle Press; $35).

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Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Food Styling: William Smith; Prop Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch Recipe

There's no better time to break out the punch bowl, and this fizzy, fruity cocktail will help everyone get into the holiday spirit.

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Kale and Pomegranate Salad

Photo: Christopher Testani; Prop Styling: Kaitlyn Duross; Food Styling: Chris Lanier

Kale and Pomegranate Salad Recipe

"I like having salads at the beginning of the day," says Molly. "I can go through the day knowing I've had all my vegetables and can have more cake later on."

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Beef Filets with Pomegranate-Pinot Sauce

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Beef Filets with Pomegranate-Pinot Sauce Recipe

This 5-star recipe gives you rich and elegant flavors in just 20 minutes.

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts Recipe

For a bit of showmanship, bring the whole cauliflower to the table, and then "carve" and dress with the vinaigrette, pomegranate arils, pine nuts, and parsley.

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Vegan Pavlovas with Pomegranates and Chocolate

Photo: Thomas J. Story

Vegan Pavlovas with Pomegranates and Chocolate Recipe

Aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) is paired with coconut cream to create a completely vegan version of a pavlova dessert.

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Pomegranate Molasses-Glazed Chicken and Carrots

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

Pomegranate Molasses-Glazed Chicken and Carrots Recipe

Pomegranate molasses, a staple ingredient in the Eastern Mediterranean, gives this one-pot dish a delectable tang.

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with arugula and pomegranate arils and coat the mixture with a tahini dressing.

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Curried Chicken Thighs with Pomegranate-Mint Sauce

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Claire Spollen

Curried Chicken Thighs with Pomegranate-Mint Sauce Recipe

Talk about a company-worthy meal without much effort or a hefty price tag. Serve this easy and elegant entrée over a bed of couscous and with a side of the Steamed Broccoli with Garlic and Red Onion.

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Pomegranate-Farro Breakfast Salad with Honey Ricotta

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Pomegranate-Farro Breakfast Salad with Honey Ricotta Recipe

For a tangier citrus flavor, go with lemon; for more floral, sweet notes, try tangerine. To keep prep simple, use purchased pomegranate arils from the produce section, or pre-prep a fresh pomegranate the night before.

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Roasted Delicata Squash with Honey, Pomegranate Seeds, and Pepitas

Photo: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Kevin Crafts

Roasted Delicata Squash with Honey, Pomegranate Seeds, and Pepitas Recipe
Chef-owner Mateo Granados, Mateo's Cocina Latina, Healdsburg, CA: "When I make Thanksgiving dinner, I prepare traditional ingredients like turkey or squash with my own Yucatecan twist." Squash and chiles are native to both the Western U.S. and Mexico; pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and pomegranate seeds are common in south of the border cooking.

The skin of delicata squash is tender when roasted and very flavorful, so try it along with the flesh.

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Roast Lamb with Pomegranate Sauce

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Roast Lamb with Pomegranate Sauce Recipe
Although it's budget-friendly, this dish is elegant enough for company. Serve with steamed fresh green beans.

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Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie

Oxmoor House

Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie Recipe
Antioxidants found in both blueberries and pomegranates can help your body fight aging, cancer, and heart disease.

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Orange-Basmati Salad with Pine Nuts and Pomegranate Seeds

Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Orange-Basmati Salad with Pine Nuts and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe
Although best served immediately, this dish can be covered and chilled for a couple of hours. Try it with roast chicken. Pomegranate juice stains, so be careful when extracting the seeds. Here's our favorite way to seed a pomegranate: Carefully cut the fruit in half, submerge in a large bowl of water, and slowly turn the shell inside out to dislodge the seeds.

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Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate, Pickled Chiles, and Pecans

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate, Pickled Chiles, and Pecans Recipe
Eggplant is a staple in the Middle East, and they sure do know how to cook it. It's stellar: smoky and light and not at all bitter. The trick is to cook it whole over a gas stovetop burner or on a hot grill. The outside gets all charred as the inside steams, gathering a nice smoky overtone and becoming perfectly cooked. Toasted pecans and pickled jalapeños infuse some Southern accents into the traditional dish. If you can't find pomegranate arils (they come already "shucked" in the produce section), just omit them, or drizzle on a wee bit of pomegranate molasses.

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Vanilla-Pomegranate Italian Soda

Oxmoor House

Vanilla-Pomegranate Italian Soda Recipe
Pomegranate juice is chock-full of antioxidants, but it can be very tart. Vanilla syrup mellows the tartness, creating a sophisticated soda.

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Pomegranate-and-Balsamic-Glazed Turkey

Photo: Theresa Raffetto; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Pomegranate-and-Balsamic-Glazed Turkey Recipe
Pomegranate-and-Balsamic-Glazed Turkey brings seasonal flavor to the holiday table.

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Spiced Chicken and Greens with Pomegranate Dressing

Randy Mayor

Spiced Chicken and Greens with Pomegranate Dressing Recipe
Round out this early spring dish with a hearty multigrain baguette. Depending on the season, you may also want to add other fruits to the salad, such as peach slices or fresh raspberries.

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Pomegranate and Beet Salad

James Carrier

Pomegranate and Beet Salad Recipe
NOTES: Roast beets in a 375° oven until easily pierced with a sharp knife, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let cool, then peel and dice. Or use canned diced beets, drained.

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Pomegranate-Sage-Gin Sparkler

Photo: Jennifer Causey, Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Pomegranate-Sage-Gin Sparkler Recipe

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Our Best Pomegranate Recipes

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Pomegranate Spritzer

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Pomegranate-Poached Pears

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Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken

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Pomegranate-Goat Cheese Dip

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Ham Cured Pineapple with Prosciutto and Pomegranate

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Sherry-Glazed Parsnips with Pomegranate

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Pomegranate Paloma

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Pomegranate Champagne Jello Shots

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Pomegranate, Avocado, and Citrus Brussels Sprouts Salad

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Pomegranate & Celery Salad

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Yogurt Pound Cake with Pomegranate Syrup

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Spelt, Toasted Oat and Pomegranate Scones

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Pomegranate-Glazed Pork Skewers with Dill-Onion Marinade

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Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

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Kale and Pomegranate Salad

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Beef Filets with Pomegranate-Pinot Sauce

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts

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Vegan Pavlovas with Pomegranates and Chocolate

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Pomegranate Molasses-Glazed Chicken and Carrots

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini

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Curried Chicken Thighs with Pomegranate-Mint Sauce

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Pomegranate-Farro Breakfast Salad with Honey Ricotta

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Roasted Delicata Squash with Honey, Pomegranate Seeds, and Pepitas

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Roast Lamb with Pomegranate Sauce

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Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie

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Orange-Basmati Salad with Pine Nuts and Pomegranate Seeds

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