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This 20 Best Paleo Pomegranate Recipes features the best desserts, smoothies, main dishes, salads, condiments and drink recipes that use pomegranates — in celebration of that time of year when they’re in season. This festive fruit adds so much to recipes — both flavor-wise, and because of how pretty and interesting the arils always are to see.
Celebrate the seasons with me, as we serve up these beautiful jewels to our loved ones.
Where do pomegranates come from and in what season do they grow
Pomegranates are such a great fall and winter fruit, but actually, they’re a warm weather crop.
Poms date back 6000 or so years to the Middle East. The trees flourish especially well after a cold winter, when the hot sun creates a dry summer.
Accordingly, in the States, pomegranates grow best in California and Arizona.
So then, why do we eat perfectly ripened pomegranates each fall and winter? Surprisingly, ripening takes about seven months!
Pomegranates are ready to harvest each late fall, just when we need their ruby color to beautify our holiday tables and add cheer to colorless winter weather.
Paleo Pomegranate Recipes: SWEETS
Pomegranate Panna Cotta
This elegant Pomegranate Panna Cotta comes together easily, and can be made ahead for stress-free entertaining.
Paleo Pomegranate N’oatmeal Cookies
Pretty and plump, these tempting cookies are perfect for Christmas cookie platters.
Paleo & Vegan Pomegranate Orange Scones
This Paleo & Vegan Pomegranate Orange Scones Recipe goes perfectly each fall and winter with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
Pomegranate Coffee Hibiscus Smoothie Bowl
Pomegranate Coffee Hibiscus Smoothie Bowl combines the amazing flavors of coffee, hibiscus & berries with granola and chocolate. My favorite smoothie bowl ever! Paleo with added collagen protein.
Pomegranate Banana Smoothie
No added sugar in this Pom Banana Smoothie, and only three ingredients. Use dairy-free yogurt subbed for the regular yogurt. (I found this recipe to work best with just 1 cup juice and 1 cup yogurt, so it turns out thick and slushy. Be sure your frozen bananas are cut small before blending.)
Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Bites
If you love making cookies and candies during the holidays, this popular three-ingredient recipe will be an easy one to add to your list of favorite recipes.
Paleo Pomegranate Recipes: SAVORIES (MAINS, SALADS, SIDES)
Seared Scallops with Pomegranate and Meyer Lemon
This main dish invites garnishing with the fruit in its name — such pretty colors for presenting. (Sub the one tablespoon of regular sugar with coconut sugar.)
Chicken with Pomegranate and Brazil Nuts
Marinated in ginger, lime and pomegranate molasses (here’s the one to get), this beautiful chicken dish is a great departure from usual recipes, and the sauce goes great with an accompanying vegetable side dish.
Persian Pomegranate Curry with Chicken
This recipe uses boneless skinless chicken thighs, which is always a nice beginning to dinner. Switch the tiny amount of sugar for coconut sugar.
Fesenjān – Persian Pomegranate and Chicken Stew
Made with walnuts, onions, butternut squash, ground cinnamon and pomegranate molasses, this very traditional Persian stew is well loved. Perfect to serve with rice or Paleo flatbread.
Roasted Leg of Lamb
This Roasted Leg of Lamb with pomegranate molasses (here’s the one to get), mint and cumin is worthy of Christmas dinner, so special, and a reliable recipe.
POMEGRANATE SIDE DISHES
Beautiful Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Molasses
This gorgeous veggie side dish gets garnished with pom arils, but it’s the pomegranate molasses (here’s the one to get) that glazes the fall and winter veggies — so pretty and inviting.
Pomegranate Roasted Carrots
Sweet, earthy roasted carrots are finished with pomegranate molasses, a delicious combination that can be garnished with fresh pom seeds.
Loaded Apple Salad
Perfect each fall and winter, Loaded Apple Salad boasts so many exciting flavors and ingredients, including pomegranate! An easy and delicious side dish for parties or any day.
Pomegranate Salad
Arugula, pomegranate arils and a simple vinaigrette combine to create this popular Pomegranate Salad.
Pear and Pomegranate Salad
Simple Pear and Pomegranate Salad features seasonal fruit with a simple vinaigrette and light greens. Use olive oil, and omit the Dijon for AIP.
Avocado Pomegranate Salad
This Avocado Pomegranate Salad is touched with kale and mint, and works well even for AIP.
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Pour Pomegranate Vinaigrette over any salad; it’s a well-loved recipe, but this one goes really nicely with a salad of greens and roasted beets.
Pomegranate Cucumber Salsa
Fresh and with just a handful of perfect ingredients, this condiment is beautiful and quick to make.
Pomegranate Relish
Add Pomegranate Relish to appetizer platters and charcuterie boards, or to salads — for a beautiful rich punchy flavor.
Paleo Pomegranate Recipes: DRINKS
Strawberry Pomegranate Mocktail
Strawberry Pomegranate Mocktail has an incredible mocktail flavor! Love this vibrant and refreshing strawberry flavor, spiked with pungent pomegranate, tart lemon, spicy ginger and natural unrefined sweetener.
Paleo Pomegranate Mocktail
Bubbly water and fresh lime juice come together with honey and pom juice to make this Paleo Pomegranate Mocktail, special for holiday celebrations.
Homemade Pomegranate Juice
All you need is a blender and a strainer for this simple homemade treat.
You can Pin 20+ Best Paleo Pomegranate Recipes here:
What’s the easiest way to open a pomegranate
My husband and I owned an organic homemade frozen yogurt shop for many years, and we used fresh pomegranate seeds as one of our topping options.
We learned from an employee what’s true!: The easiest way to open a pomegranate and get out all the arils is actually in a large bowl of water:
- Cut your pomegranate into quarters.
- Fill a large bowl about halfway with room temp or cool water, enough to submerge your hands and the pom underneath.
- Under the water, break open the quarters, and use your fingers to free up each of the arils.
This method is faster and less messy than other approaches. Enjoy!
Elizabeth says
I’ve been using the bowl method for seeding pomegranates for YEARS. Glad to see someone else has discovered it. It’s especially helpful, because the white pith floats, but the arils do not.
Megan says
Yes, exactly, thanks, Elizabeth! 🙂