Instant Pot artichokes are simple to make and ready in a fraction of the time. Dip them in rich garlic browned butter or a flavorful garlic vegan butter sauce. Pair them with my meatloaf bowls for a satisfying side dish. Here’s the recipe for a classic meaty meatloaf or a hearty vegetarian meatloaf bowl.
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Key Takeaways:
- Instant Pot artichokes cook much faster than traditional stovetop steaming while producing tender leaves and a soft, flavorful heart.
- Trim the stem, remove tough outer leaves, cut off the top, and rub the cut edges with lemon to prevent browning before cooking.
- Cook times vary by size: about 8–10 minutes for small artichokes, 10–15 minutes for medium, and up to 25 minutes for large artichokes.
- Place the artichokes on a trivet with 1–1½ cups of water instead of submerging them.
- Test doneness by pulling on an outer leaf or inserting a knife into the base—it should slide in easily.
- Garlic butter, browned butter, vegan butter, lemon aioli, and herb dips are popular serving options.
- Fresh artichokes are naturally high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
- Instant Pot cooking makes artichokes an easy vegetable side dish for weeknight dinners, holidays, and entertaining.
Overview
Instant Pot artichokes are one of the easiest ways to cook fresh globe artichokes, producing tender leaves and a perfectly soft heart in a fraction of the time required for traditional steaming. Pressure cooking helps retain moisture while significantly reducing cook time, making it ideal for busy weeknight meals or healthy side dishes. To prepare them, trim the stem and top, remove any tough outer leaves, and rub the cut surfaces with lemon to prevent browning. Place the artichokes on a trivet with 1–1½ cups of water in the Instant Pot and cook on High Pressure. Smaller artichokes typically cook in 8–10 minutes, medium-sized artichokes in 10–15 minutes, and large artichokes in 15–25 minutes, followed by either a quick or short natural pressure release depending on your preferred texture. Artichokes are naturally rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to many diets. They pair well with garlic butter, browned butter, vegan butter, lemon aioli, or herb-based dipping sauces. Whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or light meal, Instant Pot artichokes offer a simple, healthy, and flavorful cooking method that consistently delivers tender results.
What are Artichokes and Where Can I Get Them.
Artichokes are edible flower buds from the thistle family and are prized for their mild, nutty flavor and impressive nutritional value. They are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health. A medium artichoke contains about 3.5 grams of protein with only 60 calories, making it one of the highest-protein vegetables available. Whether served as a side dish or appetizer, artichokes are a flavorful and nutrient-dense addition to a balanced diet.
Fresh artichokes are available in most grocery stores throughout the year, although they are at their peak from late winter through early spring, with April being the prime season. When selecting an artichoke, choose one with a deep green color, a firm and heavy feel for its size, and tightly packed leaves. These qualities are good indicators of freshness and the best flavor.
How do I Prepare an Artichoke?
To Prepare the Artichoke:
Rinse the artichoke thoroughly under cold running water.
Trim the stem so it sits flat against the base of the artichoke.
Slice about 1 inch off the top using a sharp knife.
Rub the cut surfaces and the entire artichoke with fresh lemon juice to help prevent browning.
How Do I Eat Artichokes?
The most prized part of an artichoke is the heart, also known as the bottom. If you only want to enjoy the heart, remove and discard the tough outer leaves along with the fuzzy center, called the choke. The easiest way to remove the choke is by cutting or scooping it out with a spoon. Once the heart is exposed, slice it into bite-sized pieces and serve it with your favorite dipping sauce. My go-to pairing is garlic browned butter, and the video below shows you exactly how to make it.
Don’t overlook the outer leaves—they’re edible too! Dip the fleshy base of each leaf into your favorite sauce, then gently pull it through your teeth to scrape off the tender, flavorful portion. Discard the remaining fibrous part of the leaf.
Enjoy the experience of cooking and eating fresh artichokes, and don’t forget to savor every delicious bite!
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Artichoke Instant Pot with Garlic Browned Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 artichokes
- 1 lemon cut in half
- 3 cloves garlic peeled, whole
Dipping Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter If vegan use a non-dairy spread
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Wash the artichoke and cut about an inch off the top. Cut the stem off so it is flush with the bottom of the artichoke. Rub 1/2 of the lemon on the cut ends and outside of the artichoke. This keeps it from turning brown during cooking.
- Put the rack in the instant pot. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the instant pot.
- Place the artichokes on the rack, cut side up. Cut the other half of the lemon into 2 pieces and add to the Instant pot. Add the whole cloves of garlic to the Instant Pot.
- Lock the lid of the Instant pot and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. If the artichokes are small cook for 10 minutes. If they are large cook for 30 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure at the end of the cooking cycle to make sure the artichokes don’t get soggy. Serve with the garlic browned butter or garlic non-dairy spread if you are vegan. Peel off the outer layers, dip the tender base of the outer leaves in the garlic browned butter sauce. Pull the leaf through your teeth to remove the soft pulpy base. Discard the leaf. When you get down to the choke, (the furry part in the center), scoop out the choke and discard. Cut the heart into bite-size pieces. Dip the pieces in the sauce and enjoy it.
Garlic Browned Butter or Vegan Dip
- Make the garlic browned butter or non-dairy garlic dip while the artichokes are cooking. For the browned butter, add in the minced garlic during the last 20 seconds of browning. If you need a good video on how to make browned butter (click here). Just substitute the garlic for the fresh herbs.
- For a vegan dip. Use a non-dairy butter spread. Saute the garlic in a small amount of the spread until lightly browned. Add the rest of the buttery spread and heat until the spread is melted. Serve with the cooked artichokes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ:
What makes artichokes a healthy vegetable choice?
How can I tell if an artichoke is fresh?
How do I prevent an artichoke from browning during preparation?
What is the best method to cook artichokes?
How do I eat an artichoke?
What dipping sauces go well with artichokes?
Final Thoughts
Making Instant Pot artichokes is one of the easiest ways to enjoy tender, flavorful artichokes without waiting an hour or more for traditional steaming. With just a few minutes of prep, your pressure cooker does the hard work, leaving you with perfectly cooked leaves and a soft, delicious heart that’s ready for your favorite dipping sauce. Timing may vary depending on the size of your artichokes, but the Instant Pot consistently delivers quick, convenient results when you adjust the cook time accordingly.
Whether you’re serving them as a healthy appetizer, a simple side dish, or a light meal with garlic browned butter or vegan garlic butter, this recipe is a delicious way to make fresh artichokes part of your weekly menu. Once you try cooking artichokes in the Instant Pot, you’ll likely skip the stovetop method and enjoy this fast, fuss-free recipe again and again.
