Learn how to boil artichokes (and eat them, too!). Don’t let this green veggie intimidate you! Artichokes are easy to prepare and such a delicious low carb side or snack.
Original post: November 2010 | Updated: March 2023
Why This Recipe Works
I don’t know many people who enjoy cooking, eating and preparing artichokes. They are a little intimidating! And fresh ones certainly don’t look friendly.
When I purchased my latest batch of artichokes at the grocery store, the gal who checked me out said, “Oh, artichokes. These things are sharp and they poke me all the time. Are they any good?”
Are they any good? They are delicious!
This is yet another food that I am grateful my mom introduced me to growing up. I have nibbled on the leaves and heart of many a fresh artichoke in my life.
If you have never prepared and eaten a fresh artichoke, you must! I promise you’ll fall in love.
How To Boil Artichokes Without a Steamer – Step-by-Step Guide
How do you boil whole artichokes, you ask?! You’re about to learn! Boiling artichokes is easy peasy.
Step 1
Cut off the tips of all of the leaves using kitchen scissors. There is no other reason for doing this than avoiding getting poked when handling them. The thorny tips can be sharp.
Step 2
Cut off about an inch from the top of the artichoke using a sharp knife.
Step 3
There are a couple ways to cook an artichoke. Steamer baskets work well when inserted into a pan with a couple inches of water on the bottom. If you don’t have a steamer basket to steam artichokes, a saucepan will work just fine.
Fill a large pot with 3-4 inches of water and add the artichokes (they won’t be fully immersed – this is ok) along with one Bay Leaf and four cloves of garlic. I occasionally throw in a lemon half, as well.
Step 4
Cover the pot and bring water to a boil. Reduce boiling water to medium-low heat and let cook, still covered, for 30-40 minutes, or until outer leaves can be easily removed.
Cook time will vary depending on the size of the artichoke:
- Small: 20-30 minutes
- Medium: 30-40 minutes
- Large: 40-45 minutes
How To Eat Artichokes
Now onto my favorite part: eating artichokes!
Step 1
Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave. This will be your dipping sauce when the artichoke is ready to eat!
Step 2
Begin pulling the leaves off of the boiled artichokes starting at the base. Dip the base of the leaf into the melted butter. Insert leaf into mouth and scrape teeth against it in order to pull the “meat” from it.
Discard what is left of the leaf.
Step 3
Continue doing this until you reach the center of the artichoke, sometimes called the hairy choke. You will see thin, small leaves and underneath them a layer of white fuzz.
Cut in half lengthwise and then cut out the fuzzy center with a knife. I personally find this to be a bit easier than trying to scrape it out with a spoon.
Step 4
What is left will be the most delectable, edible parts veggie. This is called the artichoke heart and it is delicious. Squirt fresh lemon juice over the surface, dip in butter and eat the delicious artichoke heart right down to the stem.
Note: When serving as a side dish, plan for 1 artichoke per person.
How To Cook Baby Artichokes
Use the same instructions detailed in this post when cooking smaller artichokes, but decrease cook time to 20-30 minutes.
How To Store Artichokes At Home
Extend the shelf life of fresh artichokes by following these storage tips:
- Use kitchen shears to trim the artichoke stems down to about 1 inch in length. You will also want to remove any of the leaves that are discolored or tough.
- Place trimmed artichokes in a sealed plastic bag and place in either a crisper drawer or push toward the back of the fridge, as it is the coldest part.
- Keep them refrigerated at all times, as this will extend the shelf life of artichokes.
- They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days, but you should prepare and enjoy them as soon as possible after purchasing for the best quality and flavor experience.
How To Tell if an Artichoke is Done
Avoid mushiness and loss of flavor by cooking artichokes perfectly. There are a handful of methods you can use to determine if an artichoke is done cooking:
- The cooking time is typically between 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of your artichokes. Medium artichokes need to boil for approximately 30 minutes and larger artichokes should boil for 45 minutes.
- When your timer dings, pluck a leaf from the middle portion of the artichoke. It should comes out easily and the base of the leaf should be tender.
- You can also try inserting a sharp knife into the base of the prepared artichoke. It should go in smoothly, with no resistance.
How To Cook Artichokes In Microwave
Place a single fresh, trimmed artichoke on a rimmed microwave-safe dish. Add a 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of the dish. Cover with a lid. Microwave artichokes on high heat for 10 minutes.
Remove from the microwave and let sit at room temperature, still covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
How To Make Instant Pot Artichokes
Make steamed artichokes in your pressure cooker! It’s super easy and delicious. Cooked in just 10 minutes and with little effort you’ll get to the heart of the delicious vegetable.
Recipes With Artichokes
If you are an artichoke lover like myself, you will want ideas about how to use them in different recipes!
Check out this collection of recipes using artichoke hearts. The following recipes, as well as additional side dish, appetizer and artichoke dinner ideas are included:
- Best Ever Pasta Salad is my favorite pasta salad recipe of ALL TIME. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks.
- Spinach Artichoke Dip is a party staple! People always get excited about this dip and its so easy to make! It’s a filling, cheesy snack or appetizer that you can put on pita squares, crackers or chips.
Artichoke Dipping Sauces
Here are a few tasty dipping sauce options for this scrumptious green veggie:
- Lemon butter – My absolute favorite dip for artichokes! Melt butter in a small saucepan and add fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Mayo – Combine mayonnaise, mustard, garlic and lemon juice to create a creamy dipping sauce.
- Ranch Dressing – Use store-bought dressing or make your own by mixing sour cream, buttermilk, mayo, garlic, salt and pepper.
Substitute for Artichoke Hearts
Artichokes have such a delicious and unique flavor, but if you are looking for a substitute for artichoke hearts we have some yummy options!
How Long Does An Artichoke Last In The Fridge
If you are unsure about how to store fresh artichokes or whether your veggie is still edible, read on!
Can Dogs Eat Artichoke Hearts
Although artichokes are not toxic for dogs, they are not recommended for their consumption since they may cause gastrointestinal issues. The prickly leaves and the fuzzy choke can also be potential choking hazards.
However, artichoke hearts, after being separated from leaves and fuzzy portions, can safely be fed to your dog in moderation.
Cooking Tutorials
- How to Cut a Pineapple
- Cook Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- How to Cut a Mango
- Learn to Cut an Avocado
- Make Perfect Shredded Hash Browns in Your Air Fryer
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How To Boil Artichokes Without a Steamer (and eat them!)
Ingredients
- 4 large artichokes fresh
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cloves garlic cut in half
- 3 lemon cut into wedges
- 5 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
Cook The Artichokes
- Cut off the tips of all of the leaves using kitchen shears. There is no other reason for doing this than avoiding getting poked when handling them. They can be sharp.
- Cut off about an inch from the top of the artichoke using a sharp knife.
- There are a couple ways to cook an artichoke. Steamer baskets work well when inserted into a pan with a couple inches of water on the bottom. If you don’t have a steamer basket to steam the artichokes, a saucepan will work just fine. Fill a large pot with 3-4 inches of water and add the artichokes (they won’t be fully immersed – this is ok) along with one Bay Leaf and four cloves of garlic. I occasionally throw in a couple lemon slices, as well.
- Cover the pot and bring water to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat and let cook, still covered, for 30-40 minutes, or until outer leaves can be easily removed.
Eat The Artichokes
- Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave. This will be your dipping sauce when the artichoke is ready to eat.
- Begin pulling the leaves off of the artichoke starting at the base. Dip the base of the leaf into the melted butter. Insert leaf into mouth and scrape teeth against it in order to pull the “meat” from it. Discard what is left of the leaf.
- Continue doing this until you reach the center of the artichoke, sometimes called the fuzzy choke. You will see thin, small leaves and underneath them a layer of white fuzz. Cut in half lengthwise and then cut out the fuzzy portion with a knife. I personally find this to be a bit easier than trying to scrape it out with a spoon.
- What is left will be the most delectable and meaty part of the entire artichoke. This is called the artichoke heart and it is delicious. Squirt fresh lemon juice over the surface, dip in butter and eat down to the stem.
Notes
Recipes With Artichokes
If you are an artichoke lover like myself, you will want ideas about how to use them in different recipes! Check out this collection of recipes using artichoke hearts. The following recipes, as well as additional side dish, appetizer and artichoke dinner ideas are included:- Best Ever Pasta Salad is my favorite pasta salad recipe of ALL TIME. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks.
- Spinach Artichoke Dip is a party staple! People always get excited about this dip and its so easy to make! It’s a filling, cheesy snack or appetizer that you can put on pita squares, crackers or chips.
I love mine steamed. When I add them to the pot, I create an aioli: mayo, lemon juice minced garlic, salt, dill and chili powder. I set this in the fridge so the flavors marry while my artichoke steaks, then I dip the leaves in that. I wish I could have artichoke every day!
Ooooh, aioli is a great idea! Thanks for sharing that recipe with us! That would be good on a variety of foods.
We always ate these at my grandpa’s with mayo… Childhood memories, so delicious!
Artichokes do not need butter. It’s sinful to cover their taste that way. My grandmother used to make stuffed artichoke in a red sauce. They were incredible. But steaming is a good . Quick delicious alternative. Forget the butter. Eat them straight. My partner dips them in mayo. Gross. Plain or Italian style. Leave the butter to the lobster
And I am cooking them chopped up with brown rice vegetables and lemon:)
My mom always cooks them like this.we boil the hearts of the artichokes together with carrots and potatoes and spices.after they are tender we make( I don’t know the English word but we beat the white of 2 eggs until fluffy then incorporate the eggs yolks then continue beating with lemon) when that’s done we take the water from the artichokes and mix them.and it’s delicious!!!
We ate artichokes often when I was growing up. We would dip them in either melted butter or mayonnaise, which was my dads favorite way of eating them. No matter what you use as a dip, they are very good, especially the heart.
Thanks for posting. Always wanted to try one fresh, but never know how to do it!
Hello,
Usually our dip consist of crushed garlic, lemon juice, salt & light olive oil.