What is the best way to cook artichokes?

Steam the artichokes 40 to 60 minutes . Fit a steamer basket or heatproof colander or strainer in the pot and place the artichokes inside cut-side up. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and steam for 40 to 60 minutes.

How do you cut and cook fresh artichokes?

Prepare the artichoke bud: Cut off the top quarter off the artichoke, about 1/2-1 inch. Rub the cut leaves all over with the lemon. Use kitchen shears to snip off the pointy tips of the remaining leaves. Steam the artichoke: Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water, and squeeze in any remaining lemon juice.

What makes artichokes taste good?

Steaming or boiling an artichoke unlocks otherwise hidden natural flavors , lessening the bitterness and giving the artichoke heart its trademark "buttery" mouthfeel that, ironically, pairs very well with butter.

What is the healthiest way to eat artichokes?

Some people choose to peel away the petals of the artichoke and only eat the center, or "heart.” However, some of the best nutrients are concentrated in the leaves. To get the full health benefits, you can pull the leaves off the artichoke and scrape off the meaty part with your teeth .

Should I cut artichokes in half before boiling?

Cut the artichoke in half lengthwise (or leave whole if you prefer, but this will take longer to cook) and use a spoon to scrape out and discard the hairy center (this is the choke).

Why do you soak artichokes in lemon water?

Adding lemon juice to the cooking water is far more important, as many more cells of the artichoke will burst in the boiling water, potentially creating browning throughout the vegetable. Lemon juice in cooking water inhibits the enzymatic reaction that causes browning in cut artichokes .

How to get bugs out of artichokes?

I pick the artichokes and spray them in the sink to get rid of the aphids, then I soak them in a tub of water to get rid of the ants . Sometimes the heart is the only thing very edible, but it's worth it to get that delicious center!

Are artichokes good for you?

Artichokes are packed with powerful nutrients . Artichokes are low in fat while rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Particularly high in folate and vitamin C, they also supply important minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium ( 2 ).

Why do you cut the tips off artichokes?

Then pull off and discard the tough outer leaves at the base and sides of the artichoke. Using kitchen scissors, cut the pointy tips of the remaining leaves (this is both for appearance and to prevent nicking when you handle the artichoke — it's a thistle, after all).

Why do you soak artichokes in water?

Use kitchen shears to trim tough tips off remaining outer leaves, if desired. Rub all cut surfaces with a lemon half to keep them from turning dark. Some cooks like to soak the trimmed artichoke in lemony water for an hour or so before cooking to improve taste and tenderness.

Are artichoke hearts better in oil or water?

Whole globe artichokes can be purchased fresh, and artichoke hearts are available frozen, canned in water, or jarred in olive oil and spices. The oil-packed ones are a little higher in healthy fat, but draining the oil will help save some calories .

Is the water from boiling artichokes good for you?

Boiled artichoke water retains many of the beneficial compounds present in the vegetable. However, it's important to note that some nutrients may be lost during the boiling process. Despite this, drinking boiled artichoke water can still provide numerous health benefits .

How to cook artichokes (2024)

Globe artichokes are considered to be the 'true' artichokes, which are available all year round, but at their best between June and November. Jerusalem artichokes are completely unrelated to the former and not truly an artichoke. Instead, they are a variety of sunflower native to North America with a lumpy, brown-skinned tuber that often resembles a ginger root.

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Looking to plant your own artichokes? Discover the best way to grow globe artichokes, from GardenersWorld.com.

How to cook globe artichokes

Artichokes are a simple replacement for a salad, although they take a little longer to prepare.

What is the proper way to cook an artichoke?

You can boil, bake and grill artichokes, however we consider steaming to be the easiest and tastiest method of cooking them as it results in a good level of moisture. Boiling will also ensure a soft texture however, if you prefer this method.

Steaming method

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Unsurprisingly the bigger the artichoke, the longer the steaming time. Anything up to 30 or 40 minutes. The smaller ones normally take around 20 minutes or so. Larger artichokes can be slightly bitter compared to their smaller cousins.
You'll need a good inch or so of water to steam. You can also cool the water down after cooking to make a healthy iced artichoke tea.
Before steaming, lop the stalk off. Some people also add garlic and lemon to the water.
You can tell when your artichoke is cooked by nimbly taking off a leaf. If it falls off easily, it's probably cooked. But, to be sure - cool it down and take a bite from the bottom of the leaf i.e. the part nearest the innards of artichoke. It's a small part, but this is the only part of the leaf that is edible.

Boiling method

Remove the tough leaves close to the base of the artichokes.
Cut off the stems completely, so the artichokes will sit flat.
Cook in plenty of lightly salted, boiling water. It will take 15-30 mins, depending on the size and freshness of the artichoke, so check from 15 mins onwards.
The best test of doneness is when a leaf from the middle pulls away easily. Drain well, upside down so the water runs out.

How to prepare artichokes

Watch our video for a step-by-step process for how to prepare artichokes:

Snap back tough outer leaves until you begin to expose the pale yellow ones. Rub all cut surface with lemon juice as you go.
Trim top off and pare down the leaves which cover the base of the heart.
Use a teaspoon to remove the fibrous 'choke' buried in the centre. Discard.

Tip: Keep dipping the cut surfaces of the artichoke in lemon juice to stop them discolouring.

How to eat globe artichokes

You eat it by, how scooping the flesh along the leaf. It has an incredibly soft texture, or it should have if it's cooked... If not, steam for a bit longer. Some people prefer their artichokes cold, or cool. Either way, you can eat them freshly cooked or the next day. They will keep in the fridge.

The only other thing you'll need to prepare is a vinaigrette salad dressing. You eat by plucking the leaves and dipping the fleshy part into the dressing. Make sure you have a large plate on the table to dispose of the leaves. You might be surprised just how much larger artichoke debris is in relation to the parts you eat.

Lastly, the most succulent, chunky, edible part is buried deep inside - the artichoke heart. Once you've devoured the leaves you'll find a stack of 'hair' hiding the heart below. The hairy choke is inedible so take it out using a teaspoon. You will then be left with the heart and the remains of the stem.

Now you can enjoy the deep, soft and subtle flavour of the fleshiest part of this incredible green. If that's all a bit too simple for you, try some of the below recipes using this versatile vegetable.

Top 6 artichoke recipes

Artichoke & aubergine rice

This vibrant paella-style dish is packed with flavour, yet low in fat and calories. A perfect budget family midweek meal – this recipe can be batch cooked and frozen, ready to whip out on a busy evening.