Instant Pot Artichokes are cooked to tender perfection in very little time in the pressure cooker. Preparing and cooking artichokes couldn’t be easier or more delicious!
If you have yet to get an Instant Pot, check How To Cook Artichokes on the stove top with two simple foolproof methods, boiling and steaming.
Artichoke in Instant Pot
Artichokes are incredibly flavorful and loaded with nutrients. If you have never had artichokes before, you are in for a treat. This unusual looking vegetable is actually the immature flower bud of an edible thistle. Although delicious in flavor, one can get intimidated by its looks.
Preparing artichokes is a very simple task and cooking them is super easy. There are many ways to cook artichokes to tender perfection and pressure cooking has become one of my favorites. Cooking artichokes in the Instant Pot locks in the freshness and flavor of the artichoke while also tenderizing them. This foolproof method doesn’t require a lot of time or effort.
Artichoke Instant Pot Preparation
- Start by trimming the stem. Cut off the stem so it’s flush with the bulb or leave about 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem at the base. Leaving some of the stem is best when cooking small artichokes. Oftentimes, the stem of large artichokes can be woody and fibrous.
- Remove any dry outer leaves and then slice off about an inch from the top of the bulb. Using a serrated knife can make the task easier.
- Trim the spiky top ends of each leaf with kitchen shears. This step is for presentation purposes only as those spiky, thorn-like tops soften while pressure cooking.
- Give the artichoke globes a quick rinse under cold running water.
- If you are not going to pressure cook the artichokes for a while, keep them in a bowl with room temperature water and the juice of 1/2 lemon to prevent discoloration.
How To Cook Artichokes In The Instant Pot
- Pour water into the instant pot. Add the lemon slices, garlic cloves, bay leaf or thyme (optional) into the instant pot.
- Place the steaming rack in the pot.
- Place artichokes on top of the steaming rack, top side facing up.
- Close and lock the lid. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- When the cooking cycle is complete, quick-release the pressure.
- Open the lid and remove the artichokes. Cool slightly before serving.
How Long Do You Steam Artichokes in Instant Pot?
If you are wondering how long does it take to cook artichokes in a pressure cooker, the answer will depend on the size of each artichoke globe. A medium size artichoke usually cooks in about 18 to 20 minutes.
Harvesting time also has an effect on the overall texture of the artichoke. For example, artichokes harvested in early spring and summer take less time to cook than the ones harvested during late summer and fall. Please don’t let this discourage you. I’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you figure out how long to cook artichokes in a pressure cooker depending on when you buy them.
Artichokes Instant Pot Cooking Times
All pressure cooking times below are based on my testing. These times are to be used as a reference. I cannot test every artichoke from every part of the world so timing may vary slightly.
Artichokes Harvested During Early Spring And Early Summer:
- Small Artichokes: 10 to 12 minutes
- Medium Artichokes: 13-15 minutes
- Large Artichokes: 16-18 minutes
Artichokes Harvested During Late Summer And Early Fall:
- Small Artichokes: 16-18 minutes
- Medium Artichokes: 20 minutes
- Large Artichokes: 22 minutes
Is it faster to Boil or Steam Artichokes?
Steaming artichokes in the Instant Pot is usually the quickest way to enjoy tender and tasty artichokes.
On the stovetop however, boiling is a bit faster than steaming as the whole artichoke globe is submerged in water.
How Long Does An Artichoke Last?
Raw Artichokes: Uncooked artichokes usually last 1 to 2 days on the counter (in a properly ventilated room) and 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Keep the artichokes in a bag in the fridge to prevent them from drying out. As with any fresh vegetable, it’s best to eat them as close to the purchasing date as possible.
Trimmed: Trimmed artichokes should be kept in a solution of water and an acid (like lemon juice or vinegar). The solution should have about 1 teaspoon of juice or vinegar per quart of water. Once in the solution, the artichokes won’t keep for more than a few hours.
Cooked: Steamed, boiled and pressure cooked artichokes can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days properly stored in an airtight container.
Canned or Marinated: These artichokes usually last up to 1 year. Always check the expiration date printed on store bought canned or jarred artichokes.
Can You Freeze Artichokes?
Artichokes can be frozen after cooking. Raw artichokes do not freeze well. Uncooked, artichokes will turn brown and mushy when thawed out. The cold temperature not only changes their color and texture but also their flavor (and they won’t be pleasant).
Freeze cooked artichokes in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer safe resealable bag. Cooked whole artichokes will last for 1 to 2 months while cooked artichoke hearts can be frozen for several months.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Artichokes
Artichokes are delicious by themselves, but I also love dipping them in my simple and flavorful Lemon Herb Artichoke Dipping Sauce. Artichokes can also be dipped in butter, garlic aioli, lemon vinaigrette or mayonnaise.
Now that you know how to cook artichokes in the Instant pot, take a look at these other informative tutorials and recipes:
Instant Pot Artichokes
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized artichokes
- 4 lemon slices (optional but recommended)
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced (optional but recommended)
- 1 bay leaf or a rosemary spring, optional
Instructions
- You can prep the artichokes or you can cook them untrimmed.
To prep:
- Cut the stem off flush with the base of the artichoke bulb.
- Remove any woody outer leaves.
- Slice off about 1 inch from the top of the artichoke.
- Use kitchen shears to trim the ends of the leaves.
Cook:
- Pour 1 cup of water in a 6 quart instant pot or 2 cups of water in an 8 quart instant pot. Add the lemon slices, garlic cloves and bay leaf or thyme (optional) into the instant pot.
- Place the steaming rack in the pot.
- Place artichokes on top of the steaming rack, top side facing up.
- Close and lock the lid.
- Cook on manual high pressure for 20 minutes (please check notes).
- When the cooking cycle is complete, quick-release the pressure.
- Open the lid and remove the artichokes with kitchen tongs.
- You can test for doneness by pulling a leaf. The leaf should be easy to remove.
Recipe Notes
- Exact cooking times will vary depending on the size of the artichokes.
- Harvesting time also has an effect on the overall texture of the artichoke. Artichokes harvested from early spring to early summer require less cooking time than the ones harvested in late summer through fall.
- Artichokes Harvested on Early Spring /Early Summer Cooking Times: Small Artichokes: 10 to 12 minutes
Medium Artichokes: 13-15 minutes
Large Artichokes: 16-18 minutes - Artichokes Harvested on Late Summer /Late Fall Cooking Times:
Small Artichokes: 16-18 minutes
Medium Artichokes: 20 minutes
Large Artichokes : 22 minutes
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