Mushroom Free Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Steamed artichokes have a reputation for being fussy, but the Instant Pot turns them into one of the most hands-off, impressive things you can put on the table. The pressure-cooking method locks in that tender, slightly nutty flavor while the lemon, garlic, and bay leaf infuse the steam with a subtle brightness that makes every leaf worth pulling. Once they're done, you peel back each leaf, drag it through the warm lemon-garlic butter, and suddenly you understand why this is considered a luxury vegetable. That dipping sauce — just butter, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and a little parsley — is simple enough to throw together while the pressure releases, and it absolutely makes the dish. This is a naturally clean, whole-food recipe with no hidden sauces or processed ingredients to second-guess, which means it's easy to serve confidently to anyone with specific dietary concerns. It works beautifully as a starter or a light main, and the interactive, leaf-by-leaf eating experience makes it feel like an event rather than just a side dish.
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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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