Discover the hidden gem of the vegetable world with this simple grilled artichoke recipe – get ready for smoky flavor and a surprisingly tender bite! This delicious recipe will walk you through how to get the nice, crispy texture that you will love. The best part of this recipe is that we show you how to save time by steaming the artichokes in your microwave. Follow our step-by-step instructions to enjoy this delicious side dish.
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Easy grilled artichokes with a smokey flavor
Grilled artichokes are a delicious choice if you want to add a unique and flavorful vegetable to your culinary repertoire. Not only are they easy to prepare, but the smoky flavor from the grill transforms this humble veggie into a fantastic appetizer or side dish. Serve alongside a creamy garlic aioli dipping sauce, and you have a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Why grill artichokes
Grilling is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh artichokes. The process gives them a beautiful char and a slightly smoky flavor you won’t get from boiling or steaming. The outside gets crispy, the inside turns soft, and the natural sweetness of the artichoke hearts shines through. Plus, grilling retains the artichoke’s nutritional benefits.
Why you’ll love this recipe
There’s so much to love about this grilled artichokes recipe, whether you’re a beginner cook or used to whipping up gourmet meals at home. Beyond your artichokes and water, only five ingredients are required – two of which are the familiar staples of salt and pepper.
- Flavor: Grilled artichokes develop a delicious smoky char with hints of caramelization that can’t be achieved with other cooking methods. The artichoke’s natural sweetness comes through beautifully.
- Texture: Grilling gives artichokes an excellent contrast – crispy, slightly charred outer leaves with a soft, tender heart.
- Simplicity: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and is remarkably easy to prepare. Even kitchen novices can produce a gourmet-tasting side dish or appetizer.
- Versatility: Grilled artichokes shine on their own with dipping sauce, but they’re also delicious as a side dish or incorporated into salads, pizzas, pastas, and more.
- Health Benefits: Artichokes are packed with nutrients, and grilling is a healthy way to prepare them, preserving their nutritional value.
- Uniqueness: Artichokes aren’t your typical everyday vegetable, so this recipe offers a sense of novelty and a chance to step outside the ordinary.
Ingredients you’ll need
As noted above, the list of ingredients needed could hardly be simpler. Other than the artichokes, you’ll need:
- Water
- Good quality mayonnaise (Kewpie, Hellman’s, or Duke’s are recommended)
- Lemon
- Fresh garlic
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
How to make grilled artichokes
The process of making grilled artichokes starts with preparing them themselves.
- Prep the artichokes:
- Trim the stem: Leave about an inch of stem attached, or trim it entirely if you don’t want the artichoke to sit upright.
- Remove outer leaves: Pull off the tough outer leaves until you reach the softer, pale yellow-green leaves.
- Cut off thorny tips: Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, snip off the pointed, thorny tips of the remaining leaves.
- Slice off the top: Cut off about an inch from the top of the artichoke. Rub any cut surfaces with lemon to prevent browning.
- Remove the choke (optional): If you want to eat the entire artichoke heart, remove the fuzzy, inedible choke. Here’s how:
- Cut the artichoke in half lengthwise.
- Use a spoon or a paring knife to scoop out the fuzzy choke and prickly inner leaves carefully.
- Rinse and soak: Rinse the artichoke under cold water, gently spreading the leaves to remove dirt or debris. Soak it in the lemon water until ready to cook.
- Microwave: Place the cut side of the artichoke down in a microwave-safe bowl with water. Cover and steam the artichoke in a microwave for 7-8 minutes (slightly longer for large artichokes). Check for tenderness by piercing the heart with a knife.
- Cool: Shock with cold water to stop the cooking process.
While the steamed artichokes cool, make the grilled artichokes dipping sauce by combining mayo, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir and allow the flavor to meld for at least 15 minutes while you finish the recipe.
- Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, then refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- Cut and remove choke: Slice the cooled artichokes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the prickly choke.
- Grill time: Brush the artichoke halves lightly with olive oil (optional) and place artichokes cut-side down on a preheated grill or use a grill pan on your stovetop. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side or until you see beautiful grill marks and the edges turn golden brown.
- Season and serve: Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve hot with the dipping sauce and lemon wedges.
How to serve grilled artichokes
These grilled artichokes are best served hot and fresh off the grill, where they’ll enjoy their best texture and flavor.
Remember to serve it alongside our tasty garlic aioli dipping sauce or any of your other favorite dips for grilled artichokes. Another great option is an oil-based dressing, such as a lemon vinaigrette, with fresh herbs like thyme and basil.
Also, put some lemon wedges on the plate to squeeze juice. Nothing is better than a good artichoke with a squeeze of lemon juice.
What goes well with grilled artichokes?
The answers to what to serve with grilled artichokes are many, making it an excellent choice for all sorts of meals.
- Pair them with grilled meats like steak, chicken, pork chops, and more for a hearty and flavorful meal.
- In addition, they perfectly complement lighter options like grilled or steamed seafood.
- When used as an ingredient, the possibilities for how to eat grilled artichokes expand dramatically.
- They can also be integrated into many different pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, and more.
How to store leftovers
Grilled artichokes are best fresh off the grill, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. They can also be frozen for up to six months.
Reheat on a grill, or in the oven (350°F for 10-15 minutes) until warmed through. A drizzle of olive oil helps prevent dryness.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover grilled artichokes?
If you have frozen artichokes, start by defrosting them for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Because texture is so critical for these artichokes, it’s best to reheat them on a grill or in a grill pan or skillet over medium heat to crisp the exterior while warming the interior.
You can also use your oven, heating the artichokes at 350°F until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.
With both methods, a light drizzle or brushing of extra-virgin olive oil can keep them from drying out and add flavor.
More appetizer recipes
- Applebee’s Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Avocado Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Cajun Wings
- Franks Chicken Wing Dip
- Fried Zucchini Chips
- Garlic Hummus
- Grilled Buffalo Wings
- Hooters Wings
- Wonton Jalapeno Poppers
Favorite low carb vegetable recipes
Check out my easy appetizer recipes and the best low carb recipes on CopyKat!
Recipe by Fran Feldman.
Grilled Artichokes with Garlic Aioli
Ingredients
- 1 fresh artichoke
- juice of 1 lemon divided use
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup good-quality mayonnaise I use Kewpie, but Dukes or Hellman’s are good choices as well
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the stem of the artichoke and trim the spiny tips of the leaves. Squeeze half of the lemon onto the cut portions of the artichoke to prevent discoloration.
- Place the trimmed artichoke upside down (for stability) in a microwave-safe bowl and add water. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and microwave for 7 to 8 minutes. To prevent the leaves from becoming soggy, take care not to overcook. Larger artichokes may need an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the artichoke from the microwave and shock with cold water. When cool enough to handle, cut it in half and carefully remove the prickly choke.
- To make the aioli, combine the mayonnaise, garlic, salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of the remaining lemon juice in a separate bowl and mix well. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to marry before serving.
- Grill the artichoke in the kitchen with a grill pan or outside on a grill at 350°F. If you are using a grill pan, pour a few tablespoons of olive oil into the pan and grill the artichoke cut-side up over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. Flip the artichoke and grill for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. If you are using an outdoor grill, grill both sides of the artichoke until they develop grill marks.
- Season the artichoke to taste with salt and pepper and serve with the prepared aioli.
What a great way to make fresh artichokes.