Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Appetizers and Snacks Pomegranate Guacamole

by Lisa Bryan

22 Comments

Updated Nov 26, 2023

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Pomegranate guacamole is a festive holiday spin on one of my most loved recipes. It’s a blend of fresh, simple ingredients that together create an unexpected pop of flavor. Serve it with a pile of tortilla chips for the perfect holiday appetizer.

Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (2)

Who needs store-bought guacamole when you can make a better, fresher version at home. With just 6 ingredients, my best ever guacamole is not to be overlooked. It’s a simple, delicious, and authentic recipe.

But today, I’m tweaking it. Just as I did when I made BLT guacamole, except today’s version is festive for the holidays. I’m swapping tomatoes for pomegranates, yellow onion for red onion, and adding a bit more cilantro for that vibrant green contrast.

Not only do the pomegranate seeds look beautiful against the guacamole’s green color, but they add a burst of sweet flavor with every bite. You’ll love this guacamole variation!

Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (3)

How To Deseed A Pomegranate

While you can buy boxed pomegranate seeds, I think fresh pomegranates have a much better flavor. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to deseed a pomegranate.

  1. Fill a large bowl with water.
  2. Slice the pomegranate halfway, but try not to cut all the way into the center. You want to avoid cutting into the seeds inside.
  3. Slightly pull apart the two halves using your hand.
  4. Place the halves in the bowl of water and push the skin outwards, opening the fruit.
  5. Using a large spatula or spoon, wack the back of the pomegranate. The seeds will begin to fall out here.
  6. Pick out the straggler seeds with your hand and drain the water.
Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (4)

How To Make Pomegranate Guacamole

This recipe comes together in just 10 minutes! Just follow the 4 steps below.

  • Add all the ingredients into the bowl, except for the pomegranate seeds.
  • Mash everything together using a fork, until it’s creamy and combined.
  • Add ½ cup of the pomegranate seeds and stir together. Then transfer this into a serving bowl.
  • Top with the remaining ¼ cup of pomegranate seeds. Add a sprinkle of cilantro for a vibrant pop of color.

Enjoy your pomegranate guacamole with tortilla chips, and wash it down with a pomegranate margarita (a great way to use up those leftover pomegranate arils!).

Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (5)

More Festive Appetizers To Serve

In charge of bringing an appetizer to your next party? Here’s a few ideas that your guests will love!

  • Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Sweet Potatoes With Maple Balsamic Glaze
  • Deviled Eggs
  • French Onion Dip
  • Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bits
  • Herbed Chevre, Spinach, And Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

And if you’d like another red and green combo, try my guacamole stuffed tomatoes!

Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (6)

Pomegranate Guacamole (Christmas Festive!)

5 from 10 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Pomegranate guacamole is a festive spin on one of my most loved recipes, guacamole! The vibrant red and green makes for a perfect Christmas appetizer recipe.

Ingredients

  • 3 avocados, ripe
  • ½ small red onion, diced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¾ cup pomegranate seeds (divided)

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients except the pomegranate seeds to a mixing bowl.

  • Use a fork to mash the ingredients together, until well combined.

  • Add 1/2 cup of the pomegranate seeds and stir together. Then transfer into a serving bowl.

  • Top with the remaining 1/4 cup of pomegranate seeds and an extra sprinkle of cilantro, for that red and green pop of color.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 841mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas guacamole, festive pomegranate guacamole, holiday guacamole, pomegranate guacamole, pomegranate guacamole recipe

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!) | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

Why are pomegranates associated with Christmas? ›

There are pomegranate ornaments on the Christmas tree, good luck charms for the new year and of course bowls full of the actual fruit with Christmas decorations around in most Greek homes. The truth is that pomegranates have been symbols of prosperity, fertility and regeneration since ancient times in Greece.

How long can you keep guacamole in the refrigerator? ›

From the second you crack open that avocado, it's a race against the clock before it goes brown. But with the right prep, you can make guacamole last in the fridge for three to four days. Planning on storing guacamole in the freezer? It should last for three to four months.

Why is Baby Jesus holding a pomegranate? ›

On his mother's lap, Baby Jesus grabs the pomegranate handed to him by Mary: a fruit that was considered a symbol of Christ's passion, whose red kernels symbolize the blood shed by Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity.

What does a pomegranate symbolize in Christianity? ›

A symbol of resurrection and life everlasting in Christian art, the pomegranate is often found in devotional statues and paintings of the Virgin and Child. In medieval representations the pomegranate tree, a fertility symbol, is associated with the end of a unicorn hunt.

Does putting the pit in guacamole keep it fresh? ›

Some people swear by this one, so we had to put it to the test. The verdict: Contrary to popular belief, adding the avocado pit to guacamole does not prevent oxidation. In fact, if it sticks out above the surface, it creates air pockets that prevent the plastic wrap from adhering tightly enough.

How to tell when guacamole is bad? ›

Once opened, store-bought guacamole usually lasts 1-2 days. Homemade guacamole also usually lasts 1-2 days. You'll know it's gone bad when it has a substantial puddle of brown liquid and the layers below the surface have lost their vibrant green hue. That's when it's time to throw it out.

Can dogs eat pomegranates? ›

While pomegranates are not toxic to dogs, they can still make dogs sick. Small quantities of raw pomegranate are not dangerous for your dog, but eating a whole pomegranate can cause stomach upset or gastrointestinal distress. Safer fruits to offer your pet include blackberries, cantaloupe, and blueberries.

Is pomegranate good for men? ›

Dr. Li said pomegranates can also benefit men's health, having been linked to alleviating erectile dysfunction due to an ability to produce nitric oxide. She explained that nitric oxide improves the health of blood vessels and causes them to widen and increase circulation.

What happens if you plant a pomegranate seed? ›

Pomegranate seeds usually germinate pretty easily, and they can be started indoors over the winter for planting outside in the spring. Keep in mind, though, that many pomegranates in the grocery store are hybrids, which means that their seeds may not produce fruits identical to the parent.

Can you eat pomegranate seeds straight from the fruit? ›

Can you eat pomegranate seeds? Pomegranate seeds are safe to eat and are a good source of many vitamins and nutrients. People may also refer to pomegranate seeds as arils. The white flesh surrounding these seeds is technically edible but is bitter, and most people avoid it.

What fruit symbolizes Christmas? ›

In the modern Greek tradition that meaning has shifted a little, the pomegranate now being a symbol primarily of prosperity and good fortune. Habitually, a single fruit is hung up above the door of the house on Christmas Day.

What does the pomegranate Christmas ornament mean? ›

The traditional folk decoration of Greek homes, the pomegranate is cherished as a symbol of joyous times and good fortune, as well as of fertility and prosperity.

What is the traditional Christmas fruit? ›

Dried fruits such as raisins, figs, dates, apricots, or apples are common on special occasions, being part of several main dishes, typical Christmas desserts or Easter sweets.

What is the significance of eating pomegranate? ›

In Christianity, the fruits represent Christ's suffering and resurrection. Islamic tradition orders that every single aril of a pomegranate be eaten, because one in each fruit comes from paradise. In Judaism, it is said that each pomegranate contains 613 seeds for the 613 commandments in the Torah.

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