If you’re looking for a new veggie to serve the family, give these perfectly tender and flavorful Instant Pot Artichokes a try!
Growing up, the artichoke was not a regularly served vegetable at the dinner table. It was often reserved for bigger family holidays and get-togethers, typically in the form of a Stuffed Artichoke dish. Because of this, I will admit I wrongly assumed that artichokes were a little “high maintenance” and not the easiest veggie to prepare and serve. But sometimes finding the right WAY to cook something can be a game changer, yielding you a delicious dish with a much simpler process. In this case, the Instant Pot gets the job done for you, giving you tender, flavorful artichokes whenever you want them!
Using the Instant Pot to cook artichokes is such a great way to get a new, fresh veggie on the table for yourself and your family, even when you’re short on time. Prior to finding this recipe, I would only ever consider using canned artichokes in the kitchen purely for the convenience factor. I seriously had a long-held belief that fresh artichokes could only be handled by the expert: Grandma! However, this Instant Pot recipe has now made the elusive artichoke much more accessible for those of us who spent most of our adult lives afraid to cook them. It’s a straightforward process that isn’t time-consuming, bringing fresh artichokes to your table in about 30 minutes.
Fresh artichokes have a mild flavor, meaning they will often take on the flavor of the seasonings you choose to cook them with. They naturally have a nutty, earthy taste that is subtle, with a hint of sweetness that really gives them a complex flavor profile. In this recipe, the garlic, salt, and lemon bring in a slight tanginess that will deepen the flavor and complement the taste of the fresh artichokes. They’re also a meaty vegetable you can sink your teeth into, especially the heart at the center, making it a unique choice for a side dish that is too often forgotten. Cooking these up in the Instant Pot will be an easy way to bring a new, fresh veggie into your meal rotation!
Preparation Is Key…
For this particular veggie, you really want to focus on the tips and tricks available for pressure cooking to perfection. The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity, which is really made possible by the Instant Pot itself. Pressure cooking your artichokes this way helps you avoid the issues of overcooking or undercooking them, which can happen often with traditional cooking methods. The Instant Pot will evenly steam your artichokes without any extra effort on your end. Isn’t that the beauty of modern-day kitchen appliances? So easy!
The key here is to make sure you prepare the artichokes appropriately to ensure they’re cooked evenly in the pot. To do this, make sure you remove the tough outer leaves, cut off the top third of the artichoke (more or less), and snip the remaining sharp tips with kitchen shears. Next, you’ll cut the stem off in order to create a flat base for standing them up. Before placing the artichokes in the Instant Pot, it’s also important to rub the lemon wedges over the cut surfaces in order to prevent browning. After cooking, you can check to see if the artichokes are done by taste-testing a leaf or two or inserting the tip of a knife in the stem to see if it slides in without getting stuck. (If it slides in relatively easily, you’re good to go!) If they’re not quite done, cook them another 1 – 2 minutes. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll end up with perfectly cooked artichokes every time!
Ingredients
- 4 medium artichokes
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
How to Make Instant Pot Artichokes
Step 1: Trim the artichokes by cutting off the stems to create a flat base and snipping off the thorny tips of the leaves with kitchen shears.
Step 2: Rub the cut surfaces of the artichokes with lemon wedges to prevent browning.
Step 3: Pour water into the Instant Pot and add the garlic cloves and salt.
Step 4: Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and arrange the artichokes on top, stem side down.
Step 5: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Step 6: Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ and set the timer for 20 minutes on high pressure.
Step 7: Once the cooking time has finished, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.
Step 8: Open the lid once the pressure has fully released and remove the artichokes using tongs.
Step 9: Serve the artichokes warm with your choice of dipping sauce.
FAQs & Tips
How Should I Store The Artichokes?
Fully cooked artichokes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They should be brought to room temperature first, then placed in a resealable bag or container before storing in the fridge.
Can I Make Instant Pot Artichokes Ahead of Time?
If you decide to fully cook them ahead of time, be sure to follow the storage suggestions outlined above. You can also choose to simply prep your artichokes ahead of time by following instructions for trimming, storing them overnight in the refrigerator, and pressure cooking them the next day.
How Can I Choose The Best Artichokes For The Instant Pot?
First, you’ll want to try and find artichokes that are roughly the same size so that they all cook evenly in the pressure cooker. You’ll also want to choose the freshest artichokes possible. Look for artichokes that are greener in color with closed petals. This indicates freshness, and they are more likely to be tender on the inside.
Serving Suggestions
Now that you have your simple artichoke recipe ready to go, you’ll want to start thinking about what you’ll serve it with. It’s always fun to pair artichokes with a delicious dipping sauce. You can go more of the “butter” route and pair them with this flavorful Garlic Butter, or you can try more of a creamier dip and whip up a Homemade Ranch Dressing. (If you’re a lover of Ranch dressing, maybe take your dipping sauce to the next level with this Peppercorn Ranch Dressing!) Or put a Greek twist on this side dish with a Tzatziki Sauce or a Yogurt Herb Dipping Sauce. You can get creative and have fun with it!
As for entrées to pair these artichokes with, you can honestly choose your favorite protein and call it a day. These would taste great with a Pan-Seared Steak, a Lemon Butter Salmon dish, or a Slow Roasted Chicken Breast. Whatever you decide, you’ll have a classic, hearty meal on your hands to nourish yourself and your family. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Artichokes
Ingredients
- 4 medium artichokes
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Trim the artichokes by cutting off the stems to create a flat base and snipping off the thorny tips of the leaves with kitchen shears.
- Rub the cut surfaces of the artichokes with lemon wedges to prevent browning.
- Pour water into the Instant Pot and add the garlic cloves and salt.
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and arrange the artichokes on top, stem side down.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
- Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ and set the timer for 20 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time has finished, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid once the pressure has fully released and remove the artichokes using tongs.
- Serve the artichokes warm with your choice of dipping sauce.
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