Homemade jams and preserves aren’t just for summer fruits. This pomegranate jelly recipe is super easy to make and takes advantage of a very beautiful fall fruit. Find more of my pomegranate recipes.
It really is the most wonderful time of the year! And I’m not talking about Thanksgiving or Christmas! It is pomegranate season, and in my house, that makes one of our favorite seasons. My family can never have too much pomegranate!
I don’t claim to have a green thumb, but I do enjoy gardening. Over 15 years ago, my husband came home to our newly planted yard and added a scraggly looking pomegranate tree to our garden. It didn’t look like much and stood only 2-3 feet tall.
I couldn’t imagine that Charlie Brown Christmas Tree of a Pomegranate Tree holding anything up, let along a few pomegranates. Lucky for us, that tree did grow and has been a super easy tree to maintain. And we’ve been blessed with pomegranates, every fall.
We picked the fruit off our pomegranate tree last week. My family was ecstatic because this was the first year that the birds and squirrels didn’t attack our fruit. Our humble little tree gave us about 30 pomegranates. That may sound like a lot for the average American family, but those beauties will be eaten in a week or two.
Why you must try this recipe
Over the years, we have seeded hundreds of pomegranates. Now that my kids are older, my teenage daughter has learned to seed a pomegranate. So you see, we’ve mastered the technique.
Remember, pomegranate juice stains and the acidic juice can also irritate your skin. But I’m talking about long contact with pomegranate juice, like when you seed oh, 30 some odd pomegranates! So seeding a pomegranate in a bowl of water is truly the best way to seed a pomegranate.
The water method not only catches the pomegranate arils that fall out of the skin, but it also keeps you fingers clean and free of pomegranate juice. You can find the full instructions on how to seed a pomegranate here.
Which brings me to today’s wonderful pomegranate recipe, pomegranate jelly! To make pomegranate jelly, you need pomegranate juice. Although you can buy pomegranate juice, nothing beats fresh pomegranate juice.
And I’ve got detailed instructions on the best way to juice a pomegranate here.
Now the fruit of the pomegranate, the pomegranate aril, is basically all juice and seed. You do need pectin to solidify the jelly. I used store bought pectin.
You can also add pomegranate juice to any fruit to make a pectin-free jam. Strawberries and raspberries would work beautifully with pomegranate juice to make jam.
Pomegranate jelly is truly a unique jelly and a fabulous way to preserve this fall favorite fruit. I like to serve my jelly with a sprinkling of fresh pomegranate arils, to really maximize the flavor.
It really is a delicious jelly for pomegranate lovers. And of course, it is rich in antioxidants and vitamins!
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- Pomegranate juice: I have made jelly with both freshly squeeze pomegranate juice and store bought.
- Lemon juice: The lemon juice helps keep the juice from oxidizing.
- Powdered pectin: Because this is a jelly made from pomegranate juice and there is not fruit or fiber in it, you need pectin to jellify your jam.
- Granulated sugar: You can make your pomegranate jelly as sweet or as tart as you like it.
1. In a large 4-quart pot over high heat mix together pomegranate and lemon juice.
2. Stir in pectin and bring to boil, stirring constantly to prevent the juice from burning.
3. When you have a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, mix in sugar.
4. When the sugar is combined, boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat.
5. Using a spoon, skim off and remove any foam that is on top.
6. Pour jelly mixture into sanitized mason jars. If you are canning your jam, click here for hot water canning instructions.
If storing your jelly in the refrigerator or freezer, you can top each jar of jelly with 2 TBS pomegranate arils, if desired. Once jars reach room temperature, place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up the jelly.
Easy Pomegranate Jelly Recipe – March Canning Madness | Cosmopolitan Cornbread
FAQ
How long does pomegranate last in the fridge?
How long does homemade jam last without pectin?
How do you know if a pomegranate is still good?
How long does pomegranate jelly last?
Jelly will keep in the refrigerator approximately 3 weeks once opened. You can also freeze the jelly for up to one year in freezer safe containers. Remember to leave enough head space (about 1-inch) for expansion. If hot water canned and sealed, jars of jelly will last for 2 years. Do you need pectin to make pomegranate jelly?
How long will the color of the poop remain due to eating pomegranate?
Approximately, the color of poop after eating pomegranate can last two to three days. This is because the pigment that gives it its color is not fully metabolized. In some people, it can last longer and in others less.
How long do you cook pomegranate jelly?
Combine the pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and pectin into a very tall pot. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 30 seconds. Carefully Stir in the sugar. Return to a rolling boil and allow the jelly to cook to 220 degrees or until it passes the freezer test, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
How do you store pomegranate jelly?
Fill hot, sterilized jars with the pomegranate jelly to within 1/4-inch of the rim. Wipe rims and screw on hot sterilized lids and rings. Place jars on a rack in a large heavy stockpot and cover with boiling water. Heat to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool on a towel for 2 days before storing.