Honey and Pomegranate: Jewel-Toned Salads, Glazes and Drinks
Honey and pomegranate are a stunning pairing, both on the plate and in the glass. Pomegranate seeds, called arils, burst with tart, ruby-red juice, and honey balances their sharpness with warm sweetness. The two have been paired for centuries in Persian, Turkish and Levantine cooking. This article explains how to seed a pomegranate without the mess, honey and pomegranate salads, glazes, drinks and desserts, and which honeys pair best. For another sweet-tart pairing, see honey and berries.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Pomegranate in history
Pomegranates have been grown in Iran and the surrounding region for thousands of years. They appear in ancient art, religious texts and folklore as symbols of abundance and fertility. In Persian cooking, pomegranate molasses and fresh arils flavor stews, salads and dips.
Honey and pomegranate together appear in festive dishes and drinks across the Middle East and Mediterranean.
How to seed a pomegranate
Score the skin around the middle and pull the fruit apart into halves. Hold a half cut side down over a bowl of water and tap the back firmly with a wooden spoon. The arils fall into the water, and the white pith floats to the top for easy skimming.
Wear an apron, since pomegranate juice stains.
- Score around the middle
- Pull apart into halves
- Hold cut side down over water
- Tap with a wooden spoon
- Skim off floating pith
Honey and pomegranate salad
Toss arugula or mixed greens with pomegranate arils, crumbled feta, toasted walnuts and thin slices of pear. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of pomegranate molasses for the dressing. The salad is bright, crunchy and festive.
Our honey vinaigrette guide explains dressing ratios.
Honey pomegranate glaze
Simmer half a cup of pomegranate juice with two tablespoons of honey and a pinch of salt until reduced by half and syrupy. Brush onto roast chicken, lamb, salmon or carrots in the last ten minutes of cooking. Pomegranate molasses mixed with honey makes a faster, more intense version.
Pomegranate molasses versus juice
Both work with honey, but they are different:
| Ingredient | Flavor | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh arils | Juicy, tart, crunchy | Salads, bowls, garnish |
| Pomegranate juice | Tart, light | Drinks, glazes, sorbet |
| Pomegranate molasses | Very tart, thick | Dressings, marinades, dips |
Breakfast bowls
Top Greek yogurt with pomegranate arils, pistachios and a drizzle of honey. Or add them to oatmeal with cinnamon and chopped apple. The arils add crunch and color. Our Greek yogurt with honey guide has more toppings.
Honey pomegranate spritzer
Stir one tablespoon of honey into two tablespoons of warm water until dissolved. Add a quarter cup of pomegranate juice, a squeeze of lime and top with sparkling water and ice. Garnish with arils and mint. It is a festive, alcohol-free drink for holidays.
Desserts
Spoon arils and honey over panna cotta, ricotta or vanilla ice cream. Make a honey pomegranate syrup to soak a simple almond cake. Our article on honey and ricotta has an easy dessert base.
Which honey suits pomegranate
Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, has a fragrant citrus character that lifts pomegranate in drinks and desserts. Raw Buckwheat Honey, harvested in New York State, adds a malty richness to glazes for meat. Raw Wildflower Honey is a good all-rounder for salads.
Choosing a pomegranate
Pick pomegranates that feel heavy for their size, with firm, taut skin. Scratches on the skin are fine, but avoid soft spots. In North America, they are in season from around October to January.
Storing pomegranates and arils
Whole pomegranates keep for several weeks in the fridge. Arils keep for about five days refrigerated in a sealed container and can be frozen for several months.
A note on research and medicines
Pomegranate juice and extracts have been studied for various health effects, but the NIH's NCCIH says evidence is limited. Pomegranate juice may interact with some medicines, so ask a pharmacist if you drink it regularly while taking prescriptions.
The takeaway
Honey and pomegranate bring sweet, tart and jewel-like color to salads, glazes, drinks and desserts. Seed the fruit under water, match the honey to the dish, and enjoy it through fall and winter.
Honey and pomegranate in Persian and Levantine dishes
Fesenjan, a Persian stew of chicken or duck with ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses, is often balanced with a little sweetener, and some cooks use honey. In the Levant, muhammara, a dip of roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate molasses, sometimes gets a touch of honey to round out its tang. Turkish cooks drizzle pomegranate molasses and honey over roasted eggplant.
These dishes show how honey and pomegranate work beyond desserts, adding balance to rich, savory food.
Honey pomegranate roasted carrots
Toss carrots with olive oil, salt and cumin and roast at 425°F for 25 minutes. Whisk a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of pomegranate molasses, toss with the hot carrots and roast five minutes more. Finish with pomegranate arils, chopped parsley and a spoon of yogurt. It is a colorful side for holiday tables.
Honey for pomegranate season
Try Raw Orange Blossom Honey for drinks and Raw Buckwheat Honey for glazes. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Browse our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Pomegranate · NCCIH (National Institutes of Health)
- Fruits · USDA MyPlate
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
Frequently asked questions
- How do I seed a pomegranate easily?
- Halve it and tap the back with a spoon over a bowl of water.
- How do I make a honey pomegranate glaze?
- Simmer pomegranate juice with honey until reduced and syrupy.
- Which honey goes with pomegranate?
- Orange blossom for drinks and desserts, buckwheat for savory glazes.
- When are pomegranates in season?
- Around October to January in North America.
- How long do pomegranate arils keep?
- About five days in the fridge, or months frozen.
- Does pomegranate juice interact with medicines?
- It may. Ask a pharmacist if you drink it regularly.
- What is pomegranate molasses?
- A thick, tart syrup made by reducing pomegranate juice.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
