MSG Free Cilantro-Lime Steamed Artichokes
Steamed artichokes are one of those dishes that feel a little luxurious without requiring much effort, and this bright, herby version is genuinely hard to resist. The steaming liquid is infused with smashed garlic, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, so the artichokes absorb flavor from the inside out before they even hit the plate. That matters a lot when you're avoiding flavor enhancers, because every bit of depth here comes from real, whole ingredients — nothing hidden, nothing processed. The dipping sauce is where things really shine: avocado oil, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and a whisper of cumin come together into something tangy, grassy, and just a little spicy if you add the red pepper flakes. Pulling each leaf through that sauce is genuinely one of the more satisfying eating experiences you can have at a dinner table. It's a naturally clean recipe that doesn't need any shortcuts to taste like it took real effort.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the artichokes
- 4 large artichokes
- 1 lime, halved
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- ½ cup fresh cilantro stems and leaves, loosely packed
- ½ tsp salt
For the dipping sauce
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water. Add the smashed garlic cloves, cilantro stems and leaves, the juice of half the lime (squeeze it directly into the water), and 1/2 tsp salt. Set a steamer basket inside the pot — the water should sit just below the basket.
- 2
Trim the artichokes: slice off the top 1 inch of each artichoke with a chef's knife, then snip the sharp tips from the outer leaves with kitchen shears if desired. Rub all cut surfaces immediately with the remaining lime half to prevent browning.
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