A.K.A

pomegranate paste, pomegranate concentrate, pomegranate essence.

What is it?

This boiled-down pomegranate juice is a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern cuisines. The name “molasses” reflects its thick, syrupy texture and not its flavor, which is nothing like sugarcane molasses. Its intensely sour yet sweet flavor can be a revelation. It especially complements walnuts, as in the classic muhammara dip. It partners well with poultry and lamb too—try adding a touch to your favorite meat marinade. Or just drizzle it over vanilla ice cream.

How to choose:

A Middle Eastern market is your best bet for finding pomegranate molasses.

How to store:

Once opened, pomegranate molasses lasts almost indefinitely in the refrigerator.

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Recipes

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  Recipe

  Curried Cauliflower Salad

  Delicious hot or cold, this colorful salad, which includes both raw and cooked elements, delivers a unique mixture of textures and bright flavors. For a family-style meal, I like to…

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  Recipe

  Roasted Red Pepper Pinwheels

  Middle Eastern muhammara, a delicious roasted red pepper and walnut dip, fills these pinwheels, and the garnish of fresh chopped arugula gives them a bright finish.

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  Recipe

  Slow-Cooker Lamb Shawarma

  Though true shawarma is made with shaved meat cooked slowly on a spit, meat cooked in a slow cooker produces a similarly tender texture, and its full, fragrant flavor will…

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  Recipe

  Strawberry and Chia-Seed Swirled Frozen Yogurt

  Chia seeds, available at most supermarkets, play a fun role here: They offer a jellylike pop when the yogurt hits your tongue.

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  Recipe

  Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken Thighs

  A drizzle of pomegranate molasses adds tangy-sweet flavor to garlicky pan-fried chicken.

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  Recipe

  Grilled Sweet Potato, Pistachio, and Pomegranate Salad

  Tangy pomegranate, yogurt, and a burst of fresh mint counter the sweetness of the potatoes in a Mediterranean-inspired salad that pairs deliciously with grilled lamb. If you can’t find pomegranate…

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  Recipe

  Roasted Beet Muhammara

  The traditional way to make muhammara, a classic Syrian spread, is with roasted peppers, but this delicious version swaps in earthy beets. Its vibrant color, matched by its deep flavor,…

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  Recipe

  Turkish Lamb Köfte

  Found all over Turkey and the Middle East, köfte (KOF-ta) are essentially meatballs, often made from lamb. They’re traditionally served with warm flatbread, raw onions, and plain yogurt, but they're…

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  Recipe

  Strawberry-Pistachio Ice Cream Sundaes

  Chopped pistachios and a sweet-tart pomegranate sauce lend an exotic Mediterranean note to the classic American sundae

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  Recipe

  Strawberry-Pomegranate Sauce

  Pomegranate molasses lends a warm, deep counterpoint to sweet, bright strawberries. Try this sauce over ice cream, garnished with pistachios and mint. It’s also delicious on pound cake or waffles.