Pomegranate and Walnut Charoset

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Passover dish featuring a harmonious blend of apples, walnuts, and pomegranate arils, sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon for a festive centerpiece. This middle eastern-inspired passover ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 12 oz) Granny Smith apples, chopped Walnuts, Pomegranate arils for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Serves 8 Middle Eastern cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Core and finely chop the apples into 1/4-inch cubes until evenly sized.
  2. Step 2: In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup red wine until the walnuts are finely ground but not oily.
  3. Step 3: Add the chopped apples, 1/2 cup pomegranate arils, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 2 tbsp honey to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarse and holds together when pressed with your fingers, about 20 seconds.
  4. Step 4: Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pomegranate and Walnut Charoset take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (25 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pomegranate and Walnut Charoset?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped walnuts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pomegranate and Walnut Charoset?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pomegranate and Walnut Charoset for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pomegranate and Walnut Charoset?

Middle Eastern passover like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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