Microwave steamed artichokes are a hands off and quick cooking method for California’s official vegetable. Serve with melted butter for a delicious side dish.
We love artichokes at our house. As a result, it is one vegetable I know won’t find hidden in a napkin and tossed in the trash. My preferred method of cooking them thistle-like vegetable is to use the microwave.
When we have dinner guests (especially my kids’ friends ) I like to serve artichokes. The unique looking vegetable is typically not served at many kitchen tables. Dinner guests look intriguingly at the vegetable and wonder how they are going to eat it. My kids expertly show them how to pluck off the leaves, dip them in melted butter, and tug the stem end through their teeth to draw off the tender portion of the artichoke meat.
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what do artichokes taste like?
Artichokes have a flavor similar to asparagus. They are mild with a slightly nutty and sweet taste. The texture is like a boiled or baked potato.
I like my artichokes served au naturel. They are perfect after a quick steam and a dip in melted butter. A squeeze of lemon juice over the top is nice too.
how to cook artichokes in the microwave
The microwave provides the easiest way to get artichokes on your table with the least amount of kitchen labor. A quick rinse and trim before being wrapped in plastic wrap is all that is needed for the prep. A spin in the microwave on High a few minutes has the artichokes on the dinner table in no time at all.
If artichokes are new to you, pick up a few at the market and give this quick recipe a try. They are available year round. But their peak season is March through May. The large bud shaped vegetables are the meatiest during the spring months. And they are more economical too.
more artichoke recipe ideas
- Creamy Artichoke Dip Turkey Sliders
- Italian Chicken and Artichoke Soup
- Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Tahini Dressing
If you try this cooking method for artichokes, I’d love hearing from you all. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.
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How to Microwave Artichokes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 5
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Microwave steamed artichokes are a hands off and easy way to prepare California’s official vegetable.
Ingredients
- 5 artichokes
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1 lemon (cut in wedges)
Instructions
- Rinse artichokes in cold water.
- Trim off stem and 1 inch off the top of each artichoke. Also trim the sharp points off each of the leaves.
- Wrap loosely in plastic wrap and place artichokes in the microwave.
- Cook on High for 15 – 18 minutes. The artichokes will be ready when a knife easily pierces the stem.
- Remove artichokes from the microwave.
- Unwrap carefully as the artichokes are very hot and will release steam.
- Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges.
Notes
To microwave steam less than 5 artichokes at a time ~ for each artichoke microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes each. The artichoke is ready when a sharp knife easily pierces the stem.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: microwave
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 artichoke and 1 tablespoon butter
- Calories: 242
- Sugar: 1.9 g
- Sodium: 283 mg
- Fat: 18.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 11.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18.1 g
- Fiber: 9.1 g
- Protein: 5.6 g
- Cholesterol: 49 g
Keywords: artichokes, steamed artichokes, artichokes and butter, microwave artichokes, artichoke recipes
happy to get a recipe to cook artichoke in a microwave. thanks, Emma
Your are so welcome Emma. It’s my favorite way to cook artichokes.
★★★★★
Your microwave must be weak. Brought my one ‘choke home. Prepped from your instruction. At 12 min. I smelled something burning. The choke was green. But I pulled it. Burnt the inside to a black crisp. Nothing salvageable. 15 min was way too much.
So sorry to hear you had trouble with my recipe. The instructions are for 5 artichokes so cooking 1 artichoke for that amount of time is too long. A single artichoke would take about 5 or so minutes.
I grew up eating artichokes. We dipped in melted butter with dried basil in it. You have to try it!
Suzee ~ I definitely will! Thanks for sharing.