Steamed Artichokes

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook artichokes, and it helps to keep their nutrients and natural taste. So we often prefer this cooking method when we have some fresh artichokes to enjoy.

If you're new to artichokes or already a fan, steaming artichokes is a great choice. They add delicious flavor and a touch of elegance to your meals. So go ahead, learn how to steam an artichoke and discover a new favorite dish for you and your family.

What Kind Of Vegetable Is Artichoke?

Artichokes are a type of vegetable that come from the Mediterranean region. They look like a big green flower bud and have many layers of leaves. The leaves and the heart, which is the soft part at the bottom, can be eaten.

Artichokes have a mild, earthy taste and can be cooked in different ways, like boiling, baking, or steaming. They are healthy and full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a great choice for a nutritious meal.  

Today, we're going to concentrate on the simple and delicious method of steaming artichokes, guiding you through the process to achieve perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful results. 

You might also want to see our roasted artichoke recipe and air fryer artichoke recipe.

Tips For Selecting the Perfect Artichokes 

When buying fresh artichokes, consider the following factors to ensure you pick the best-quality options:

1. Color: Look for artichokes with a vibrant green color. Some purple-tinged leaves are fine, but avoid those with too many brown or discolored spots.
2. Texture: The leaves should be tightly packed and firm to the touch, not loose or shriveled.
3. Size: Choose artichokes that are heavy for their size, indicating a good amount of moisture and freshness.
4. Stem: A fresh artichoke will have a firm and green stem. Avoid artichokes with dried or cracked stems.
5. Squeak Test: Gently press the artichoke leaves together – a fresh artichoke will produce a subtle squeaking sound.

Remember to buy artichokes in season (usually spring and fall) for the best flavor and quality.

Ingredients & Equipment

To steam artichokes, you will need the following equipment and ingredients:

Equipment:

1. A large pot with a lid
2. A steamer basket or insert that fits inside the pot
3. A sharp knife for trimming (or a serrated knife)
4. A pair of kitchen scissors (optional, for trimming leaves)

Ingredients:

1. Fresh large artichokes ( we use globe artichoke)
2. Water for steaming
3. Optional aromatics for additional flavor, such as lemon slices, garlic cloves, or fresh herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves).

Once you have gathered all the necessary equipment and ingredients, you can proceed with preparing and steaming the artichokes.

Tip: In this method, the choke will remain inside the artichoke during cooking. After the artichoke is cooked, you can easily remove the choke using a knife while eating the artichoke. This process is simpler than scooping out the choke from a raw, whole artichoke. See the pictures in the How To Eat Them section below.

If you prefer to remove the choke from a whole artichoke before steaming, follow these steps:

1. After preparing the artichoke by removing the base leaves, trimming the stem, cutting off the top, rubbing with lemon, peeling the stem, and snipping the thorny leaf tips, spread the leaves open gently to expose the choke.
2. Using a teaspoon or a melon baller, carefully scoop out the fuzzy choke, taking care not to remove too much of the tender heart beneath it.
3. Once the choke is removed, rub the exposed area with lemon to prevent browning.
4. Proceed with steaming the artichoke as usual.

You can see these steps of removing the choke from a whole artichoke in our stuffed artichoke recipe.

Remember that removing the choke before steaming is not necessary, and it can be easily removed after cooking. However, this option is available if you prefer to have the choke removed prior to steaming.

Alternatively, you can steam artichokes halved or quartered. In this method, you can easily remove the choke when the artichoke is still raw, before steaming. To do this, simply cut the artichoke in half or quarters and use a spoon or knife to scoop out the fuzzy choke, then proceed with steaming.

Also, see our ultimate guide about How To Prep Artichokes to learn more methods for various cooking methods.

Alternative Steaming Methods

You don't have a steamer? No worries. Steaming on the stovetop is not the only option we have. Here are three alternative methods for steaming artichokes without a steamer:

1. Pressure Cooker: Add 1-2 cups of water and a steamer basket or trivet. Place prepared artichokes upright in the basket. Cook on high pressure for 10-15 minutes. Release pressure and check for doneness.
2. Instant Pot: Add 1-2 cups of water and a steamer basket or trivet. Place prepared artichokes upright in the basket. Set to "Steam" function for 10-15 minutes. Release pressure and check for doneness.
3. Microwave: Place prepared artichokes in a microwave-safe dish with ¼ inch of water. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Microwave on high for 6-8 minutes per artichoke. Check for doneness and adjust time if needed.

These methods offer alternative ways to steam artichokes depending on the appliances you have available.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed artichokes make a great snack, and with a few simple serving suggestions, you can easily turn them into a delightful and crowd-pleasing treat.

Begin by sprinkling a little salt and pepper over the steamed artichokes to enhance their natural flavors. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top and drizzle with a bit of olive oil for an extra layer of taste and richness. This simple artichoke seasoning will elevate the steamed artichokes, making them even more delicious.

We love them with our favorite artichoke dipping sauce, which is a simple combination of yogurt, mayo, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

You can serve them with a selection of other delicious dipping sauces to suit a variety of preferences. Some popular options include lemon and melted butter sauce, garlic aioli, balsamic vinaigrette. 

How To Eat Them

To eat steamed whole artichokes, follow these steps:

1. Start by pulling off the outer leaves one at a time. Hold the leaf by the tip and dip the fleshy base into your preferred dipping sauce.
2. Place the dipped portion of the leaf in your mouth, close your teeth around it, and gently pull the leaf through your teeth to scrape off the tender flesh. Discard the remaining fibrous part of the leaf.
3. Continue this process, working your way around and toward the center of the artichoke. Hold from the stem side when pulling the inner leaves.
4. As you get closer to the center, the leaves will become thinner and more tender. You can eat these leaves whole, including the more tender tips.
5. Once you reach the center, you'll find the fuzzy choke. Use a fork or a knife to gently scrape away and discard the choke, being careful not to remove the tender heart underneath.
6. What remains is the artichoke heart, the most tender and flavorful part. Cut the heart into bite-sized pieces, dip in your desired sauce, and enjoy.

Eating a steamed artichoke can be a fun and interactive experience, and removing the choke while eating is a simple and enjoyable process.

Other Uses Of Steamed Artichoke Hearts

When enjoying steamed artichokes, you can savor the leaves dipped in sauce, remove the choke, and then dig into the tender heart.

Alternatively, you can reserve the hearts for use in various recipes. Some popular uses for the hearts of steamed artichokes include:

1. Salads: Add chopped steamed artichoke hearts to salads for a tender, flavorful element that pairs well with greens, grains, and other vegetables. They would be great in our tuna potato salad.
2. Pasta dishes: Incorporate steamed artichoke hearts into pasta dishes, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or tortellini, with a choice of pasta sauce like marinara, Alfredo, or pesto.
3. Pizza toppings: Use sliced steamed artichoke hearts as a pizza topping along with other vegetables, cheese, and sauce for a unique and tasty addition to your homemade pizza.
4. Omelets and quiches: Incorporate chopped steamed artichoke hearts into omelets, frittatas, or quiches for a hearty and satisfying breakfast or brunch dish.
5. Dips and spreads: Blend steamed artichoke hearts with ingredients like cream cheese, garlic, and herbs to create a delectable artichoke dip or spread.

Storing & Reheating

Storing

In the refrigerator: Let them cool completely at room temperature. Don't let them sit at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Place the cooled artichokes in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Store the container or wrapped artichokes in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

In the freezer: Place cooled artichokes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Reheating

Refrigerated: Steam for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, covered loosely with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel.

Frozen: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave defrost setting. Either steam for 10-15 minutes until heated through or microwave on high for 2-4 minutes, covered as above.

Check the temperature and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure even heating.

Health Benefits

Steamed artichokes are healthy and offer several benefits:

1. Rich in antioxidants: Artichokes protect against cell damage, and Healthline states they are an excellent source of antioxidants.
2. Helps digestion: Healthline also states that artichokes are helpful for digestion due to their unique fiber content and digestive enzymes. 
3. Good for liver: According to WebMD, artichokes contain compounds like silymarin and cynarin, which are believed to have liver-protecting properties.

Other Healthy Vegetable Recipes

• Veggie Kabobs
• Roasted Whole Beets
• Boiled Beets

Other Artichoke Recipes

• Turkish Style Artichokes
• Italian Stuffed Artichokes
• Air Fried Artichokes
• Oven Roasted Artichokes
• Artichoke Dip Sauce