Breastfeeding Friendly Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Artichokes are one of those vegetables that feel a little fancy but are genuinely simple to pull off, and the Instant Pot makes the whole process even more approachable. Steaming them under pressure locks in their natural tenderness while the lemon, garlic, and bay leaf infuse the cooking liquid with a subtle, aromatic depth. The result is silky, pull-apart leaves that are absolutely made for dragging through the warm lemon-garlic butter waiting on the side. For anyone nursing, artichokes are a smart addition to the weekly rotation — they're rich in folate, fiber, and key minerals that support recovery and milk production, and this recipe keeps things clean with whole, recognizable ingredients and no hidden additives to second-guess. The dipping butter is made from scratch with unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, and a little minced garlic, so you stay in full control of what's on the plate. It's the kind of nourishing, feel-good meal that doesn't ask much of you on a tired evening. Pull a leaf, dip, scrape, repeat — honestly, it's one of the most satisfying ways to eat.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the artichokes
- 4 medium artichokes (about 10–12 oz each)
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 cup water
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp salt
For the dipping butter
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Can be omittedfresh parsley
Instructions
- 1
Trim the artichokes: slice off the top 1 inch of each artichoke with a chef's knife, then use kitchen shears to snip the sharp tips off the remaining outer leaves. Cut the stem flush with the base so each artichoke sits flat. Rub all cut surfaces immediately with the cut side of one lemon half to prevent browning.
- 2
Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot insert. Squeeze the remaining lemon half into the water, then drop in the spent lemon half, the smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, and salt. Place the trivet or steamer basket in the pot and set the artichokes on it stem-side down.
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