26 Fresh Pomegranate Recipes

The pomegranate may look like a humble fruit but is one of the most impressive ingredients out there. It is absolutely packed with nutrients that will keep you feeling fit and healthy. Even better, it tastes completely divine, and it is incredibly versatile.

If you’re hoping to incorporate this fantastic fruit into more of your meals, but you’re not sure where to begin, do not worry. We’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve listed our 26 favourite fresh pomegranate recipes.

Whether you’re looking for a breakfast smoothie that will keep you feeling awesome throughout the day, or you are in desperate need of a dinner party dessert, there is something for everyone. We’ve also included a handy FAQ section so that all of your pomegranate-related queries can be addressed. Check it out.

Incidentally, we’ve had enquiries into where to buy pomegranate molasses in Australia. Well, these days a lot of supermarkets sell it in their international section. That said, if you’re in Melbourne, we recommend Oasis Bakery for all of your Middle Eastern food supplies – and more.

Pomegranate Smoothie

We thought that we’d kick things off with one of our go-to healthy breakfasts. This pomegranate smoothie is absolutely packed with nutrients, will leave you feeling totally satisfied, and is irresistibly delicious.

This recipe is ideal if your mornings are busy and you need something quick to grab on the go. It takes just five minutes to make and really sets you up for the day. The only equipment you’ll need for this recipe is a blender. If you don’t own one already, there is now an enormous variety of price points and functionality to choose from.

Pomegranate Tomato Salad

If you’re looking to put a fun twist on a classic salad dish for a summer get-together, look no further than this pomegranate and tomato salad recipe. As well as being super easy to make and delicious, this salad also looks really pretty on the table!

We love making this as a side dish for BBQs, but it really is appropriate for any occasion. The combination of tomatoes, pomegranates, and the olive oil and vinegar-based dressing is so addictively good. This recipe is certain to become your new favourite!

Pomegranate Salsa

We love to enjoy salsa whatever the weather or season. However, making a tomato-based salsa in the winter can be a little frustrating as the veggies you need aren’t necessarily in season. If you’ve felt this struggle too, this pomegranate salsa recipe will come in handy.

This salsa is perfect to make in the winter. Everything you need should be available fresh from the store, and it is full of nutrients that are sure to give you a well-needed boost during the colder months.

A salsa can liven up so many different dishes. This is a great addition to our fresh pomegranate recipes.

Does salsa make you think of Mexico? Here are some of our go-to Mexican Restaurants in Sydney.

Pomegranate Glazed Salmon

If you’re looking for a dish that will impress dinner guests but won’t break the bank or require too much effort, look no further than this pomegranate glazed salmon recipe. It is wonderfully light, has a delicious tangy flavour, and looks stunning.

This recipe is made using just four ingredients and takes a total time of 35 minutes. However, the best thing about this dish is its versatility. We love serving it with a Mediterranean salad, but it goes with pretty much anything.

Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Bites

Sweet dishes are often forgotten about at holiday gatherings. If you fancy offering your guests a homemade chocolate treat, but you aren’t much of a baker, you need to give these pomegranate dark chocolate bites a try.

These chocolate bites are juicy, sweet, salty, and they look absolutely gorgeous. As a bonus, you only need 3 ingredients and 8 minutes in total to make them. What more could you ask for? Fresh pomegranate recipes don’t get much easier than this.

Chocolate…Yum! Here are some of our most-loved Chocolate Desserts.

Eggplant, Pistachio, And Pomegranate Pizza

Eggplant, pistachio, and pomegranate aren’t necessarily the first ingredients that come to mind when you think of pizza. However, if you’re looking to put a fun and light twist on a classic, indulgent dish, you need to give this recipe a try.

This dish takes just 13 minutes in total to make and requires few ingredients. The recipe calls for store-bought dough, however, if you have the time, re recommend trying to make your own. It’s a great way to get the family involved too!

In the mood for pizza? Here are some of the most popular pizza joints in Adelaide.

Pomegranate-Braised Short Ribs

Amongst your fresh pomegranate recipes you need a couple of show-stoppers and this is a beauty.

Sometimes, when serving food at a party, it can be tricky to strike the right balance between flavour and appearance. For instance, we’re huge fans of braised ribs, but they hardly look pretty on the table. If this is something that you struggle with too, you need to check out this recipe.

These pomegranate-braised short ribs are super indulgent, incredibly delicious, and the pomegranate seeds make them look just divine. Don’t let the long cooking time scare you away, we promise you, these are definitely worth the extra effort.

Raw Kale Salad With Pomegranate And Toasted Walnuts

When you hear ‘raw kale salad’, you likely think of the bland meals that Instagram influencers seem to live off. However, the combination of pomegranates, toasted walnuts, raw kale, and an olive oil-based dressing is absolutely delicious. Don’t believe us? This recipe will convince you in no time.

And another winning quality that sets this salad apart from some of our other fresh pomegranate recipes is that it requires no equipment or cooking. It takes just a few minutes to throw together. We love making this in large batches so that we can have it ready for weekday lunches or evening side dishes.

If kale is a bit too healthy for you, try using nutrient-rich spinach instead.

Smoky Eggplant Dip

If you’re tired of making the same old hummus or guacamole, you need to give this smoky eggplant dip a try. It is absolutely delicious and works perfectly with potato chips, crunchy veggies, and breadsticks.

This recipe only requires 6 ingredients and is surprisingly easy to make. If you don’t have access to a grill or gas stovetop, not to worry. You can cook the eggplant in the oven. Just keep in mind that the final result won’t be as smoky if you do this.

Muhammara

If eggplant isn’t your thing, why not try this traditional Lebanese dip. Muhammara is a red pepper and walnut-based dip that works beautifully with pita bread. This is certain to go down well with any guests.

Traditionally, this dish is made with a Lebanese chilli paste. However, you can substitute mild chilli flakes or even a chopped fresh chilli instead.

And yes, this is one of a few fresh pomegranate recipes on this article that actually use pomegranate molasses, not the fresh fruit. However, we like to use fresh pomegranate seeds to garnish this dip.

Easy Lamb Tagine With Pomegranate

Lamb tagine is one of our favourite Sunday evening dinners, and the addition of pomegranates take it to another level. The sweet and tangy juice from the fruit makes the flavour a little bit more complex and provides a wonderfully rich colour.

Don’t let the long ingredients list or cooking time put you off making this dish – it is so worth the effort! Also, even though it takes time, it requires very little actual work. We love serving this with creamy mashed potatoes for an extra splash of indulgence. That said, it goes just as well with cauliflower couscous if you want to put a healthier spin on it.

Has all this talk of exotic ingredients got you craving other taste sensations? Maybe you should add some of our Persimmon Recipes to your repertoire?

Roast Chicken With Pomegranate And Mint

Roast chicken is a staple in most households, and it’s not hard to see why. It is a wonderfully versatile meal that is certain to please even the pickiest of eaters. If you’re looking for a way to put a spin on this classic dish, look no further than this roast chicken with pomegranate and mint recipe.

We just love how quick and simple this recipe is. It has become a weeknight staple in our household and one of our most-loved fresh pomegranate recipes. You don’t need very many ingredients and it can be made in just 35 minutes. We recommend serving it with some roast potatoes and green veggies.

Miso Kale, Pomegranate, And Chicken Salad

If you’re a fan of miso (or you’re at least interested in the ingredient), you really have to give this miso kale, pomegranate, and chicken salad a try. It is a wonderfully colourful dish with a unique but addictive flavor. You’ll want it every night of the week!

Admittedly, for a salad, the ingredients list is fairly long and it takes over an hour to make. However, we can promise you, it is definitely worth it. This is the best salad we’ve ever had. For the best results, be sure to buy a good quality white miso paste. You can purchase some here if necessary.F

Ever find yourself with excess cooked chook and no idea what to do with it? Here are some fantastic leftover chicken recipes.

Roast Roots With Pomegranate Molasses

If you’re in need of a side dish for your roast turkey, look no further than this roast root with a pomegranate molasses recipe. Although this dish does make for the perfect holiday side plate, we like making it to accompany pretty much any roast meat.

The combination of beautifully roasted root vegetables, cumin seeds, and pomegranate molasses really makes this dish quite special. Although it might be a little annoying to purchase the extra ingredients necessary to make this dish, we cannot recommend it highly enough. Try it and we reckon it’ll slide easily to the top of your best fresh pomegranate recipes.

Red Onion, Sour Cherry, And Pomegranate Relish

Even reading the words ‘red onion, sour cherry, and pomegranate’ makes our mouths water. This super simple relish is absolutely bursting with tangy, bold, and wonderful flavors. Whether we’re putting on a spread for guests or just fancy indulging on a Saturday evening in, this recipe is our go-to.

This recipe, in particular, is ideal for individuals who lead a plant-based lifestyle (or for those who are curious), as it is 100% vegan. It only takes 10 minutes to make, however, it does need around 4 hours to pickle, so make sure you set aside enough time.

Using fruit in savoury dishes is something that many of us don’t do enough. Here are some great things to try using Mulberries.

Cauli Chips With Pomegranate And Yogurt

If you’re looking to make some healthier choices, you should definitely check out these cauliflower chips with pomegranate and yogurt. This dish is light, bright, healthy, and absolutely bursting with flavour.

This recipe is super easy to make and is the perfect veggie side dish. It goes with pretty much anything and is certain to be a crowd-pleaser. However, we sometimes like to enjoy this as a main with some crispy potatoes on the side.

Do you yearn for vegetarian food? Here are some of our regular vegetarian haunts in Melbourne.

Pan-Fried Mackerel Fillets With Pear And Pomegranate Slaw

Whenever we really want to wow a dinner guest, this is the dish we make. It isn’t very complicated to put together but it is just full of wonderfully fresh flavours and it looks oh-so-impressive on the table. It’ll be one of your regular knock-out fresh pomegranate recipes once you’ve tried it.

The number of ingredients necessary for this recipe might be a little intimidating. However, they are all very easy to get your hands on, and that’s if you don’t already have them in your kitchen. We love serving this dish with some homemade sourdough bread.

Pomegranate And Chicken Stew

There is nothing more comforting than a hot, filling, rich, and super tasty chicken stew in the winter. If you’re looking for a recipe that will warm you up as the weather changes, you just have to give this one a try. We’re sure it’ll become a staple in your home.

This dish is the perfect combination of sweet and savoury. It is full of hearty and healthy ingredients that don’t just taste delicious but are also sure to give you a boost during the colder months. Check it out.

Pomegranate-Braised Pork Belly

If you’re looking for a super indulgent, decadent dish full of wonderfully warming flavours, look no further than this pomegranate-braised pork belly recipe. The combination of tender pork, bold spices, and tart pomegranate and lemon make this dish truly special.

This recipe requires a fairly long cooking time. However, don’t let this put you off. It is a very easy recipe to follow and uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in the kitchen. We love serving these with super creamy mashed potatoes.

Find yourself cooking a joint of pork and then wondering what you do with the leftovers? We have some suggestions for you.

Honey Nut And Pomegranate Pots

We obviously couldn’t write a list of the best fresh pomegranate recipes without including a few desserts. If you’re looking for a sweet weeknight treat that you can prepare in advance, look no further than these honey nut and pomegranate pots.

This recipe is super easy, requires no cooking, and can be prepared in just 20 minutes. TO make this recipe as good as it can be, we recommend splashing out a little bit to ensure that you use the best quality greek yogurt and honey as possible.

Pulled Lamb Shoulder With Sticky Pomegranate Glaze

Pulled lamb is a wonderfully versatile dish. It can be incorporated into pretty much any dish, or paired with any of your favourite sides. If you’re as much of a fan of pulled lamb as we are, this recipe is sure to become your new number one.

The combination of tender, savoury lamb and the sticky, sweet pomegranate glaze is mouth-wateringly delicious. Don’t let the cooking time of five hours put you off, this recipe is actually very low maintenance. We like making it on a lazy Sunday morning to enjoy as a family in the evening.

Chicken And Freekeh Salad With Pomegranate

If you’re on a health kick but feel like you’ve tried every salad recipe under the sun, you should give this one a try! It is super healthy, texturally satisfying, and bursting with spicy and herby flavours. What more could you ask for?

This recipe does require a little more time than your average salad, however, the extra effort is definitely worth it. For the most part, the ingredients are likely things you already have in your kitchen. However, you will need to get your hands on some Za’atar (a Middle Eastern herb mix). You can purchase it here.

Hot-Smoked Salmon, Lentil, And Pomegranate Salad

Following on from the recipe before, if you’re in desperate need of a new salad, but Freekeh isn’t your thing, you should take a look at this hot-smoked salmon, lentil, and pomegranate salad recipe. It is absolutely delicious and jam-packed full of wonderful nutrients.

We just love how low-effort this salad is. There is no cooking required, you just need to set some time aside for marinating. The recipe suggests that you serve this dish with toasted pitta bread, but we also love enjoying it with some super crispy roast potatoes.

Orange And Pomegranate Cheesecake

If you’re looking for a dinner party dessert, you need to take a look at this orange and pomegranate cheesecake recipe. It is really easy to make, can serve a crowd, looks gorgeous on the table, and is super delicious.

This is our go-to dinner party dessert of all our fresh pomegranate recipes. If you don’t enjoy baking, this is definitely a cake that you should make. It requires just 8 ingredients, and there are no tricky techniques that you need to wrap your head around. In fact, this recipe is just 3 simple steps.

Love the zing of citrus? Here are some simple orange dessert recipes for you to try.

Pomegranate Sorbet

If you’re looking for a light and fruity dessert that will cool you down on a hot summer day, look no further than this pomegranate and ginger sorbet. It is full of flavour, wonderfully bright in colour, and is certain to be an excellent addition to any summer get-together.

If you love the idea of homemade sorbet but have always been a bit intimidated to make it, we can assure you, it is far easier than you think! You will need an ice cream maker, however, we promise that it is a purchase worth making. You can check out price and availability here, if you’re keen on treating yourself.

Pomegranate And Vodka Cocktails

Finally, we couldn’t complete this list without including these pomegranate and vodka cocktails. If you’re in need of an easy but delicious tipple to enjoy at a party, you have to give this recipe a try!

This is our go-to drink for social occasions. It is refreshing, light, and has the perfect amount of tartness! However, it’s the addition of ginger and elderflower liquor that makes this drink really special.

Love a cheeky cocktail or 2? We have some sublime recipes for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pomegranates Poisonous?

Various parts of the pomegranate contain some toxic substances. So, technically, you can be poisoned when eating a pomegranate. However, for healthy individuals, the seeds are 100% safe to consume in moderation.

Saying that, if you have health concerns, it might be a good idea to steer clear of pomegranates. For instance, in individuals with chronic constipation, pomegranate seeds can potentially clog the digestive tract.

Similarly, pomegranate seeds have been known to lower blood pressure. This can be particularly dangerous if you already have low blood pressure, or are taking blood pressure-lowering drugs.

Finally, it’s important to note that, if you eat too much pomegranate, you might experience allergy symptoms. These can vary from itching and swelling to stomach pain and shortness of breath. As such, it is important to always consume in moderation.

What Happens If You Eat Pomegranate Daily?

Pomegranates are excellent for health (as long as you don’t have any of the conditions as described above). Consuming pomegranates on a daily basis, or even drinking pomegranate juice, can benefit your immunity, help fight type-2 diabetes, aid in keeping your blood pressure in check, and can even make your skin glow.

However, it is important to not go overboard. Eating one portion of pomegranate a day is completely fine. Just make sure that you are also eating 4 (or more) portions of different fruits and veggies too.

A couple of our fresh pomegranate recipes a week should keep you well.

Is Pomegranate High In Sugar?

Technically, pomegranates are fairly high in sugar. They contain 14g of sugar per 100g.

However, don’t let this put you off at all. They also contain 7g of fibre, 3g of protein, and 30% of your daily dose of vitamin C. As such, they are an excellent addition to any meal!

How Do You Know When A Pomegranate Is Ripe?

If you’re hoping to cook with pomegranates, it is necessary to be able to pick a ripe pomegranate from the supermarket. Here are a few ways you can determine whether a pomegranate is ripe:

Shape

A ripe pomegranate will have a flatter end where the stem is. It should also have a more square appearance than round. In fact, the rounder a pomegranate is, the less ripe it is likely to be!

Weight

The weight of a pomegranate is the tell-tale sign of ripeness. However, it isn’t always easy to weigh a piece of fruit in the supermarket, hence why we placed this method second on the list.

The denser the pomegranate, the riper it is likely to be. This is because ripe fruit is full of super tasty juice. To figure out which of the bunch is the densest, you simply need to weigh a few pomegranates of the same size. The heaviest one is the one you should buy!

Texture

A ripe pomegranate will have soft, leathery skin. You can test this by scratching the skin of the pomegranate with your nail. If it is ripe, it should be easy to scratch. As such, it is important that you aren’t put off by a pomegranate with some marks on its skin. This is actually a sign that it is ready to eat.

Color

Colour isn’t the best indicator of ripeness. However, generally speaking, unripe pomegranates tend to have some green on them. Ripe ones should have a mostly uniform deep red colour.

Sound

Believe it or not, the sound produced by tapping a piece of fruit can sometimes indicate ripeness. If you tap a pomegranate and it produces a hollow sound, it is likely that this is unripe.

How Do You Store Pomegranates?

Now you know how to pick the ripest pomegranate of the bunch, it is necessary to store it correctly, so that it will remain ripe for as long as possible.

The best way to keep a pomegranate is to leave it whole and in the fridge. It should be placed in a plastic bag before being put in the fridge. Believe it or not, using this method, your pomegranates should stay fresh for up to three months! Crazy, right?

If you don’t need them to stay ripe for that long, or you have limited space in the fridge, you can just keep your pomegranate on the counter. You just need to make sure that they aren’t sitting in direct sunlight. This method will keep your fruit fresh for around 4 days.

Finally, if you have already cut open your pomegranate, and mined the seeds from within, you will need to store the leftovers in the fridge. They should stay refrigerated for three days, however, if you plan on using any of the listed recipes above, we’re sure that you won’t need to store them for that long

What Are Pomegranates A Symbol Of?

Believe it or not, pomegranates are a symbol of fertility and death. In Ancient Greece and Rome, the pomegranate had an association with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage and childbirth.

Conclusion

Pomegranates are a wonderful fruit. They are packed with nutrients, they taste delicious, and they are just so versatile! Whether it’s a salad that needs a bit of something extra or a meat dish that could do with some freshness, the humble pomegranate will come to the rescue. We hope that these recipes inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new!