Vegetarian 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 mostly hands-off process with consistent, tender results every time. Each leaf pulls away cleanly, and that soft, buttery heart at the center is absolutely worth the journey through the outer layers. The lemon-garlic dipping butter is simple but genuinely luxurious, with bright citrus, fragrant garlic, and a little fresh parsley that makes every bite feel intentional. Rubbing the cut surfaces with lemon as you prep keeps everything looking fresh and vibrant on the plate, which is a small step that makes a real difference. This is the kind of dish that feels impressive enough for a dinner party starter but is honestly easy enough for a weeknight when you want something a little special. The whole recipe relies on whole, straightforward ingredients — fresh artichokes, real butter, garlic, lemon — so there's nothing hidden or processed to second-guess. Pull a leaf, drag it through that warm butter, and you'll understand immediately why this vegetable has been celebrated for centuries.
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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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