Cashew Free Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Artichokes have a reputation for being fussy, but the Instant Pot completely changes the game — what used to take 45 minutes on the stovetop is now a hands-off pressure cook with a natural release and you're done. The garlic, bay leaf, and lemon-infused steam do quiet, fragrant work while the pot does the heavy lifting, leaving each leaf tender and ready to pull apart. Once they're plated, a simple warm butter sauce — just unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and a little parsley — gives you something rich and bright to drag every leaf through. It's the kind of dish that feels fancy on the table but asks almost nothing of the cook. For anyone navigating nut-free eating, this recipe is naturally in the clear — every ingredient is straightforward, with no sauces, pastes, or blended dips that might sneak in unexpected nuts. The real joy here is tactile: pulling leaves one by one, scraping the tender flesh, and working your way down to the heart, which is arguably the best bite of the whole thing. It's a showstopper appetizer or a relaxed weeknight side that earns its place on any table.
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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)
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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