Instant Pot Artichokes

whole artichokes on trivet in Instant Pot

5 from 6 votes

Instant Pot Artichokes are whole artichokes perfectly steamed in minutes using any pressure cooker. Serve with dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: artichokes

Calories: 15kcal

Author: Traci

Equipment

Instant Pot or other pressure cooker (any size)
trivet or steam basket
kitchen shears
Sharp knife
tongs

Ingredients

1-4 Fresh Artichokes
1 cup Water use 2 cups for 8 or 10-quart cooker
1 (Optional) Lemon for serving

Instructions

Prepare the ARTICHOKES by rinsing them, cutting the stem to 1 inch, slicing off the top 1 inch, and snipping the sharp leaf tips with kitchen shears.
Add the WATER to the Instant Pot. Place a trivet in the pot and set the ARTICHOKES on the trivet.
Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes for small artichokes (2-inch diameter), 8 minutes for medium artichokes (3-inch diameter), or 13 minutes for large (4-inch diameter).
Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Check for doneness. ARTICHOKES are ready when the stem is fork-tender and leaves pull off easily. If undercooked, seal the lid and cook for 1–2 more minutes followed by a quick pressure release to prevent overcooking.
Use tongs to transfer ARTICHOKES to a plate and let cool slightly.
Halve or quarter before serving. *See note on removing the choke.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled with your favorite dipping sauce and optional LEMON.

Notes

Buying artichokes – Choose ones that feel firm with tightly closed, unblemished leaves. Avoid any with soft spots or browning at the tips.

How many to cook – You can pressure cook just one artichoke or as many as will fit in a single layer. I often make one extra-large artichoke as a snack.

Pressure cooker note – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot, but any electric pressure cooker works. Just match the Instant Pot settings to your model’s controls.

Serving tips – For easier eating, cut the artichokes in half and remove the fuzzy choke before serving. When serving whole, let everyone pull off the leaves one by one and scoop out the choke when they reach the center. The heart is the best part! Serve with Greek yogurt ranch dressing, tzatziki sauce, or your favorite dip!

What is the choke? – The choke is the fuzzy center above the heart—it’s not edible. After cooking, use a spoon to scoop it out, or simply let people know to stop when they reach it.

Storage – Let cooked artichokes cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Enjoy cold or reheat before serving.

Nutrition