Pomegranate Recipes For Antioxidant Rich Meals And Side Dishes

Load up on the antioxidant-rich fruit with these easy and delicious pomegranate recipes.

Image Credit: Rawpixel/iStock/GettyImages Fall is here and that means there’s a new bunch of produce that’s ripe and ready to enjoy — including pomegranates.

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 The fruit looks like an oversized red onion without the paper-like skin, but when you open it up, you'll notice it's full of edible arils (seeds) that are juicy, sweet, tart and packed with nutrients.

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  Pomegranates' ruby-red arils contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, says Amy Gorin, RDN, a plant-based dietitian based in NYC. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help fight free radicals, which are linked to bringing about chronic diseases, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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Pomegranates are only in season from late September to November, so to help you jumpstart this short-but-sweet window of time, try these pomegranate recipes that are as delicious as they look.

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 1. Beef and Pomegranate Salad With Orange Ginger Vinaigrette
 
This bright and colorful salad is made with seasonal favorites like pomegranate and orange.

Image Credit: adrian825/GettyImages Building a seasonal salad doesn’t have to be a fussy process. This salad packs 37 grams of protein and is simple, delicious and uses a variety of seasonal produce to punch up the flavor. “The pomegranate arils, kale, celery and orange provide fiber and the olive oil offers heart-healthy monounsaturated fats,” Gorin says. The combination of healthy fat and satiating fiber will keep you satisfied for hours.

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  Get the Beef and Pomegranate Salad With Orange-Ginger Vinaigrette recipe and nutrition info here.

Stuffed Pumpkin With Herbed Quinoa and Pomegranate Arils
This recipe proves that pumpkins are for more than carving: They make a great serving dish, too. Image Credit: Jackie Newgent/LIVESTRONG.com This stuffed pumpkin recipe is festive and perfect for entertaining, but it’s also loaded with 13 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber. This recipe is vegan-friendly, making it a great option for your next Meatless Monday.
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Advertisement Get the Stuffed Pumpkin With Herbed Quinoa and Pomegranate Arils recipe and nutrition info here.
Pomegranate Cucumber Salsa
Skip the tomatoes and reach for pomegranates and cucumbers for your next Taco Tuesday soiree. Image Credit: No Spoon Necessary We love traditional tomato salsa, but there’s something refreshing and vibrant about the ingredient twist in this recipe. It’s essentially a fruit and veggie salsa, but the contrasting flavors of the zesty red onion, spicy jalapeno (remove the seeds if you don’t like too much heat), refreshing cucumber and sweet-tart pomegranate arils work together beautifully. The best part is this salsa is super versatile: You can pair with whole-grain crackers or even serve it atop your favorite meat.
Advertisement Get the Pomegranate Cucumber Salsa recipe and nutrition info at No Spoon Necessary.
Carrot Ginger Soup With Mascarpone Cheese and Pomegranates
Adding fresh toppings takes an ordinary bowl of soup to restaurant-quality. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com ‘Tis the season for hearty bowls of soup that are oh-so comforting on a cold day. “I like that this recipe uses protein from the walnuts, and the pomegranate arils are a colorful, antioxidant-filled topper,” Gorin says. This soup is not a complete meal by itself, so try topping it with Greek yogurt for additional protein or pairing with salmon or tofu to make it a balanced meal.
Advertisement Get the Carrot Ginger Soup With Mascarpone Cheese and Pomegranates recipe and nutrition info here.
Roasted Red Cabbage Salad With Pomegranate
This 15-minute side dish is low in calories and pairs perfectly with any meal. Image Credit: Sherry Castellano/LIVESTRONG.com This slightly sweet side dish comes in handy when you’re whipping up a meal in 15 minutes or less. Cabbage is low in calories and chock-full of vitamin C. Gorin suggests balancing out this colorful side with a protein-rich main dish of your choice.
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Advertisement Get the Roasted Red Cabbage Salad With Pomegranate recipe and nutrition info here.
Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
With pomegranates used two ways in this seafood recipe, you’ll really taste this sweet and tart seasonal fruit. Image Credit: Tori Avey This sweet, caramelized salmon is pan-seared and finished in the oven and then glazed with pomegranate molasses and topped with pomegranate arils. Salmon boasts heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which makes it a smart protein choice for any meal, Gorin says. You can pair this seafood dish with cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts and brown rice or quinoa for a complete and healthy meal. Get the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon recipe and nutrition info at Tori Avey.
Braised Kale With Pomegranate Molasses and Pomegranate Seeds
Simple salads like this one make it easy to eat healthy when you’re short on time or ingredients. Image Credit: superfood/adobe stock Pomegranates are a colorful and delicious way to spice up kale salad. Kale is full of vitamins K and A. If you find it hard to stomach raw kale, try a recipe like this that lightly sautés the veggie, which takes that bitter edge off. To make this side dish vegetarian, Gorin suggests swapping the chicken broth for low-sodium vegetable broth. Get the Braised Kale With Pomegranate Molasses and Pomegranate Seeds recipe and nutrition info here.
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  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: "Antioxidants"
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  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: "Antioxidants"
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Load up on the antioxidant-rich fruit with these easy and delicious pomegranate recipes. Image Credit: Rawpixel/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: Rawpixel/iStock/GettyImages

Are You Getting Enough Fruits and Veggies?

Track the number of fruits and vegetables you eat every day by logging your meals on the MyPlate app. Download now to fine-tune your diet today!

This bright and colorful salad is made with seasonal favorites like pomegranate and orange.

Image Credit: adrian825/GettyImages

Get the Beef and Pomegranate Salad With Orange-Ginger Vinaigrette recipe and nutrition info here.

This recipe proves that pumpkins are for more than carving: They make a great serving dish, too.

Image Credit: Jackie Newgent/LIVESTRONG.com

Get the Stuffed Pumpkin With Herbed Quinoa and Pomegranate Arils recipe and nutrition info here.

Skip the tomatoes and reach for pomegranates and cucumbers for your next Taco Tuesday soiree.

Image Credit: No Spoon Necessary

Get the Pomegranate Cucumber Salsa recipe and nutrition info at No Spoon Necessary.

Adding fresh toppings takes an ordinary bowl of soup to restaurant-quality.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com

Get the Carrot Ginger Soup With Mascarpone Cheese and Pomegranates recipe and nutrition info here.

This 15-minute side dish is low in calories and pairs perfectly with any meal.

Image Credit: Sherry Castellano/LIVESTRONG.com

Get the Roasted Red Cabbage Salad With Pomegranate recipe and nutrition info here.

With pomegranates used two ways in this seafood recipe, you'll really taste this sweet and tart seasonal fruit.

Image Credit: Tori Avey

Get the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon recipe and nutrition info at Tori Avey.

Simple salads like this one make it easy to eat healthy when you're short on time or ingredients.

Image Credit: superfood/adobe stock

Get the Braised Kale With Pomegranate Molasses and Pomegranate Seeds recipe and nutrition info here.

      Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: "Antioxidants"