Once you microwave artichokes, you'll use this easy and quick cooking method over and over again. Serve with melted butter for a delicious side dish.
We LOVE artichokes at our house. When my kids were young, it was one vegetable that wouldn't get hidden in a napkin and tossed in the trash. Along with Crispy Oven Fries and Garlic Broiled Broccoli, artichokes still are a favorite.
But I'll admit that the globe-shaped vegetable with hardy green leaves can be intimidating. It turns out that there's a simple way to cook a whole artichoke. It's in the microwave. With just a few steps, this is the easiest way (and also the quickest) to cook artichokes.
A quick rinse and trim before being wrapped in plastic wrap is all that's 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. This is the best way to cook artichokes.
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why you'll love microwave artichokes
This easy method for cooking artichokes is a keeper, and one you'll love for many reasons.
- Fresh, clean, and rich taste ~ If you're a fan of asparagus, you'll love artichokes. The delicious vegetable is reminiscent of springtime.
- Nutritious and low carb ~ Artichokes are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients. They can help keep your digestive system healthy and provide relief from indigestion, heartburn and nausea.
- Fast to prepare ~ Using your microwave to steam whole artichokes only takes a few minutes. It's a fraction of the time as compared to other cooking methods.
ingredients
Gather just 3 ingredients to make the artichokes. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of the ingredients.
- fresh artichokes
- salted butter
- lemon
how to cook artichokes in the microwave
The microwave provides the easiest way to get artichokes on your table. And it involves a very little amount of kitchen labor. This is a brief overview of the recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete instructions and a step by step cooking video.
1. Rinse whole artichokes under cold water.
2. Use a sharp knife to trim off the stems and about 1 inch off the top of the artichokes. Use kitchen shears to cut off the tops of the prickly leaves.
3. Wrap the trimmed artichokes loosely in plastic wrap.
4. Microwave on High for 5 minutes.
5. Let the artichokes stand for about 1 minute. Carefully unwrap them as they are hot and will release steam.
6. Squeeze lemon juice over the artichokes and serve with melted butter.
Hint: Use the tip of a sharp knife to test if an artichoke is perfectly cooked. It should easily pierce the stem. Also the leaves easily pull off.
Expert tip: The size of artichokes can vary. In general, smaller artichokes will cook in less time than larger artichokes.
frequently asked questions
They're available year round, but the peak artichoke season is March through May. The large bud shaped vegetables are the meatiest during the spring months. And they're more economical too.
When shopping at the grocery store or farmers' market, the freshest artichokes should have a vibrant green color and feel heavy for their size. The leaves will be tightly packed and not look dried out. When you give an artichoke a squeeze, it should make a squeaking sound.
Pluck off one of the leaves, dip in melted butter, and tug the stem end through your teeth to draw off the tender portion of the artichoke meat. After eating the outer leaves, gently scrap out the inedible fuzzy choke to get to the artichoke heart. Cut the heart in pieces, dip in melted butter and enjoy.
Artichokes have a flavor similar to asparagus and green beans. They are mild with a slightly nutty and sweet taste. The texture is like a boiled or baked potato.
Cooked artichokes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, wrap loosely with plastic wrap. Heat for 1 minute at 60% power. Continue heating at 30 second intervals until heated through.
what to serve with artichokes
I like warm artichokes served au naturel. They are perfect with a dip in melted butter. A squeeze of lemon juice over the top is nice too.
Another favorite way to serve artichokes is cooked and chilled. They're delicious dipped in Tzatziki Sauce, Caesar Dressing or Fresh Basil Hummus.
more recipes like this one
If you make these artichokes in the microwave recipe, be sure to give it a rating and/or comment below. Take a photo and tag @amycaseycooks on Instagram. Thank you!
Recipe
How to Microwave Artichokes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Once you microwave artichokes, you'll use this easy and quick cooking method over and over again. Serve with melted butter for a delicious side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 large artichokes
- 1 lemon, cut in wedges
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Prep the artichokes: 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 the artichokes loosely in plastic wrap.
- Cook the artichokes: Transfer to the microwave. Cook on High for 5 minutes. The artichokes will be ready when a knife easily pierces the stem. If the artichokes aren't finished cooking, continue cooking at 30 second intervals until they are done.
- Rest and unwrap: Remove artichokes from the microwave. Let sit for 1 minute. Unwrap carefully as the artichokes are very hot and will release steam.
- Serve: Place the artichokes on separate plates. Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges.
Notes
Use the tip of a sharp knife to test if an artichoke is perfectly cooked. It should easily pierce the stem. Also the leaves easily pull off.
Nutritional information is an estimate and based on the ingredients and cooking methods used in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 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
Rosary De Filippis
Thanks Amy for making one of my favorite foods so EASY to cook!
Amy Casey
You're so welcome! My kids loved artichokes when they were growing up. This was an easy way to make them for dinner.
Cindy
doesn't anyone clean the fuzzy part out of the artichokes anymore? Easiest to trim the leaves ~ cut the whole artichoke in half ~ scoop out the fuzzy part ~ lay the halves (cut side down) in about 1/2" water in the microwave on high.
Amy Casey
That's another method to use to clean and cook artichokes. Just not the one for this recipe.
Suzie Stephenson
Basil sounds like something we would like or sage and thyme! Suzie
Erin
This was so easy! I won't use other methods again. I always screwed them up somehow! My doctor told me to eat more artichokes, and this will make it much more manageable. Thanks!
Amy Casey
Great! This is a super easy way to make artichokes.
Molly Kumar
This was so easy to follow n got the job done in minutes & mess free. Saving to make again.
Amy Casey
I'm big on easy recipes with little clean up. This dish checks those boxes.
Lauren
This was the easiest way to make artichokes. They turned out perfect and tasted great!
Amy Casey
I love to hear this Lauren! I'm so glad you enjoyed the easy recipe.
G. Mears
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.
Amy Casey
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.