Easy Instant Pot Artichokes
Tender, tasty artichokes made easy with the Instant Pot.
Serves4-6
Makes 3 artichokes
Prep5 minutes to 10 minutes
Cook28 minutes
Artichokes are fascinating vegetables. They’re prickly and spiky, have the power to make other foods taste sweet, and can be served so many ways (stuffed with breadcrumbs, grilled until burnished on the outside, thinly sliced for a salad). They can also be a lot of work.
One of the first jobs I was given when I started working in restaurants was artichoke duty. I would pile artichokes on a large baking sheet, then one by one I would slice off the tops with a serrated knife, trim off the pointy edges of the leaves, and steam the prepped veggies in a large stock machine. About an hour or so later, I’d pull them out and dig the fuzzy center out of each artichoke, keeping the rest of the veggie intact for serving. When you’re preparing 30-plus artichokes, this job can be laborious.
Luckily, making artichokes at home can be much easier — with the help of your Instant Pot. No need to check the pot again and again to monitor the water levels or test for doneness. This Instant Pot recipe will cook those artichokes to perfection.
Prepare the artichokes by trimming off the tops and trimming the sharp outer leaves. As soon as you slice into the artichoke, rub the cut surfaces with a halved lemon. (The lemon juice will keep the artichokes from browning. If you’re making artichokes for a crowd, prepare a large bowl of lemon ice water and place the trimmed artichokes in the bowl; if you are making a few in the Instant Pot, rubbing with a cut lemon will do the trick.)
What’s the Best Seasoning for Instant Pot Artichokes?
I like to use aromatics that help the natural flavors of the artichoke shine. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot along with the lemon wedges and aromatics, like bay leaves and thyme. These herbs complement the mild, sweet flavor of artichoke instead of competing with it.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Artichokes in the Instant Pot?
I add the steamer rack into the Instant Pot and place the artichokes on top of the rack, cut-side up. Seal the Instant Pot and set the machine to “Pressure Cook” and the timer for 20 minutes. It takes about 8 minutes for the machine to come to pressure; after it’s done cooking, allow the machine to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. Remove the artichokes and let them cool for a few minutes.
What Should I Serve with Instant Pot Artichokes?
Before you serve the artichokes, you need to remove the fuzzy center, which is also known as the choke. I like to do this with a spoon or with gloved hands. Gently scoop out the choke, leaving the tender artichoke heart intact. Now the artichoke is ready to eat!
I think artichokes taste great with just a pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon juice, but you can also serve them with bagna cauda, aioli, lemon mayo, melted butter, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Instant Pot Artichokes Recipe
Tender, tasty artichokes made easy with the Instant Pot.
Prep time 5 minutes to 10 minutes
Cook time 28 minutes
Makes 3 artichokes
Serves 4-6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1
medium lemon
- 3
large artichokes (about 10-ounces each)
- 1 cup
water
- 2
bay leaves (optional)
- 1 handful
fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
Pinch kosher salt
Instructions
Halve 1 medium lemon; cut one half into 4 wedges and set aside for serving.
Trim 3 (about 10-ounce) artichokes one at a time, rubbing the cut side of the remaining lemon half over the cut parts of the artichokes as you trim to keep them from browning: Using a serrated knife, trim off a little bit of the stem flush with the bottom the artichoke. Cut about 1 inch from the top of the artichoke, exposing the heart (you should see some lavender or purple colors). Trim the spikes from all the leaves with kitchen shears. Rub the lemon all over the artichoke, then cut the lemon half into 4 pieces.
Add 1 cup water to an electric pressure cooker. Squeeze the juice from the lemon pieces used on the artichoke into the water, then add the juiced pieces. Add 2 bay leaves and a handful of thyme sprigs, if using.
Place the steamer rack into the pressure cooker. Place the artichokes in a single layer, cut side up on the rack. Lock the lid on and make sure the valve is set to seal. Set to cook for 20 minutes under High pressure. It will take about 8 minutes to get up to pressure.
When the cook time is over, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes. Release any remaining pressure. Transfer the artichokes to a plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
Wearing gloves and using your hands or using a spoon, scoop out the fuzzy parts of the heart and surrounding leaves and discard; leave the flesh underneath intact. Season with a pinch of kosher salt. Squeeze the reserved lemon wedges over the artichokes, getting juice in the heart and between the leaves. Serve as is or with your favorite dipping sauce, such as aioli or hollandaise