Rice Free Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Steamed artichokes are one of those dishes that feel luxurious and hands-on at the same time — you pull each leaf, drag it through something delicious, and work your way down to the prize at the center. The Instant Pot makes the whole process remarkably foolproof, delivering perfectly tender leaves and a silky heart without hovering over a stovetop pot for the better part of an hour. A lemon-and-garlic-scented steaming liquid infuses the artichokes with subtle brightness from the inside out, so every bite carries a little extra flavor before it even touches the dipping sauce. That dipping butter — built from unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and a handful of parsley — is simple enough to pull together while the pressure releases, and it absolutely makes the dish. Artichokes are naturally grain-free and starch-free, so this recipe sidesteps the usual concerns around hidden fillers or thickeners without any substitutions required. It works just as well as a starter for a dinner party as it does a slow, satisfying weeknight snack. Don't skip rubbing the cut surfaces with lemon right away — it keeps everything looking fresh and vibrant by the time it hits the 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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