I live for pomegranate season, and get super excited to make a lovely pomegranate smoothie. ’Tis the season for a whole new fruit and veggie palate, and all the goodness that comes with these fresh, new ingredients.
Today’s smoothie recipe is loaded with healthy benefits that will leave us glowing from the inside out. These antioxidant gems make an energizing pomegranate smoothie in just minutes.
Pomegranate is a Superfood
Pomegranate benefits our whole bodies in one way or another, and we’d love to share the top reasons why this superfood is the star of this smoothie recipe:
- Pomegranates have three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. Antioxidants can remove free radicals, protect cells from all kinds of damage, and reduce inflammation.
- One piece of this fruit contains over 40% of the daily requirement of Vitamin C. Hello immune boost!
- Research from the US National Library of Medicine shows pomegranate aggressively fights various types of cancer cells.
- Digestion can improve through its anti-inflammatory properties, even in auto immune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Reduces inflammation contributing to arthritis.
- Can lower blood pressure
- It is rich in vitamins C, E, and K giving it powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties.
- Has been linked to improvements in memory when drinking 8 oz of pomegranate juice daily.
The list of pomegranate benefits is seemingly endless, which is why we made this smoothie recipe! Civilizations have used this fruit for centuries in medicinal remedies. It is no accident that this fruit comes into season at the height of cold and flu outbreaks.
How to blend pomegranate seeds in a smoothie
I know how intimidating it can be to make a pomegranate smoothie, but the arils (or seeds) are where it's at! They are high in fiber, which helps slow down how quickly the pomegranate sugar is absorbed into your blood stream. I love deseeding a fresh pomegranate and using the whole seeds, or arils, instead of using juice for the added nutrition and fiber.
My husband and I will eat a bowl of the delicious seeds at nighttime while watching a show. It's our version of Netflix and ice cream. 🙂
How to Cut a Pomegranate
While we LOVE this great fruit and all the incredible benefits, how the heck do you get it open?! Pomegranates are a little weird in that we can’t just peel or slice to get to the juicy good parts. Here is a short tutorial on how to de-seed a pomegranate.
Follow these steps for the least amount of mess and the biggest yield:
- Cut the fruit directly in half ‘hamburger style.’
- Holding the fruit seed side down over a bowl, use a wooden spoon or flat, sturdy spatula and whack the fruit.
- Repeat with the other half.
How to blend pomegranate seeds in a smoothie
Having a high powered blender will make all the difference when blending these heart seeds. I suggest adding them with your leafy greens and liquid base to blend them the most. Then add the other ingredients and blend again. This is the key to making a smooth pomegranate smoothie.
Looking for even more great recipes with pomegranate benefits? Try our great Antioxidant Berry Smoothie Cubes.
Healthy Pomegranate Smoothie
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup red cabbage (chopped)
- ½ cup water (chilled)
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 tablespoon goji berries (soaked in water to soften, if needed)
- ½ cup strawberries (frozen)
- ½ cup raspberries (frozen)
- ½ cup cherries (frozen)
- 1 serving Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)
Instructions
- Place cabbage, water, pomegranate seeds and goji berries into a blender.
- Puree until smooth.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth.
Video
Notes
- Can substitute pomegranate seeds with ¾ cup pomegranate juice
Denise Degregorio
I was had some reserve about the red cabbage in this but it was delicious! I will definitely make this one often during pomegranate season. Good thing Costco still had some extra large ones this week
Erin
Got some pomegranates from Costco yesterday, and this smoothie was the perfect way to use them! So good, slightly tart. I was surprised how well the cabbage blended in with everything.
Simple Green Smoothies
Awesome Costco find, Erin!
The Laughing Dragonfly
I can't find fresh or dried goji berries where I live, but did find powder. How much powder should I use in place of 1/4 c fresh goji berries?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey rawkstar! We would start with 2 Tbsp of powder (that shouldn't overpower it), then if you want to add more in the next recipe you can.
Jessica
I'm loving the flavor and color of this smoothie!
Simple Green Smoothies
So delicious, isn't it?!
Kat
I was such a picky eater growing up. Sometimes I can't believe I'm blending up things like cabbage, goji berries and pomegranate together! But I'm so glad I am! Gotta try it to believe how good it is. 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
That's awesome, Kat! Love that we could introduce you to great combos for delicious smoothies!
Kim
I love the color of this recipe. So bright and fun! 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
I know, the color is so pretty!!
Amanda
I love adding pomegranates to my salads, I haven't thought of smoothies. I can't wait to try this recipe!
Simple Green Smoothies
If you like pomegranates in your salad, you're going to love this smoothie!
Carmen
This was good! Sort of a pink explosion with all the different fruits :). I've never used goji berries before so that was fun to try something new. Even though I have a Ninja blender, the pomegranate seeds didn't totally break down. So there are some seeds in my smoothie. I think next time I'll use pomegranate juice instead for it to be totally smooth.
Simple Green Smoothies
Either way works, Carmen!
Dani Mitchell
I've used pomegranate juice in my smoothies before, but never the actual seeds. Brilliant! I have a vitamix so I'm excited to try this and get the extra fiber with it. Thanks for the perfect autumn smoothie recipe Jen.
Simple Green Smoothies
This is definitely a perfect autumn smoothie! 🙂