Grilled Artichokes

Grilled artichokes with garlic herb butter are perfect as a side dish for any BBQ or dinner party. Sweet, smoky, and tender, you’ll want them all summer long!

Served hot off the grill, these artichokes are the ultimate summer treat. And if artichokes aren't your thing, these grilled ones might win you over. It's always a nice surprise to bite into all kinds of grilled vegetables, especially when they are perfectly seasoned and charred!

These grilled artichokes are so easy to make, but they look and taste like something you would order at a fancy restaurant like Hillstone (formerly Houston's)! You get that great smoky flavor from the charred exterior, and the tender heart is just downright delicious.

The best part? They are super versatile! You can dip in all sorts of sauces, from a creamy Gorgonzola Dressing to a tangy Jalapeno Ranch Dressing. And they even taste amazing with main dishes like Lemon Paprika Chicken Thighs and Grilled Salmon even without any sauce at all!

Why You'll Love Grilling Artichokes

• Flavorful: Upgrade your usual steamed artichokes with the smoky, charred taste from the grill!
• Tender: Steaming and grilling the artichokes makes them extra tender and easy to eat.
• Versatile: Grilled artichokes can be served as an appetizer with a delicious dipping sauce or as a side dish to chicken, steak, or fish.

Want to try more grilled vegetables? Make these Grilled Cauliflower and Grilled Lemon Asparagus with Feta next time!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make these easy grilled artichokes:

• Artichokes: Choose firm and heavy artichokes with tightly packed leaves. There are many kinds of artichokes, but the most common one is the green globe artichoke. You can use purple ones or even baby artichokes if you prefer smaller portions.
• Garlic and bay leaf: These two are added in the steaming step to infuse the artichokes with subtle yet aromatic notes.
• Lemon: Lemon keeps the artichokes from browning during prep. I like squeezing in more lemon juice before serving for a hint of bright, citrusy flavor.
• Olive oil: Tossing the artichokes with extra virgin olive oil prevents them from sticking to the grill. It also helps achieve that nice charred look and flavor.
• Salt and pepper: Just a simple seasoning to bring out the natural flavors of the artichokes.

How to Prepare Artichokes for Grilling

Preparing fresh artichokes scares a lot of people that they never give them a shot in the kitchen. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prep your artichokes for grilling:

1. Clean the artichokes. Rinse the artichokes thoroughly in a large bowl of cold water. If they appear particularly dirty, soak them in a water bath for about 10-15 minutes to loosen any debris.
2. Trim the stem. Trim about ½ inch off the bottom of the artichoke stem. Peel any small leaves at the base and use a vegetable peeler to strip the thick outer layer of the stem. Immediately rub the trimmed stem with some lemon to prevent browning.
   Tip: Instead of rubbing with lemon, you can immerse the cut artichokes in lemon water.
3. Cut the top. Cut off the top ½ inch or so of the artichoke and rub some lemon to the cut surface. Then, take a pair of scissors and snip off the pointy tips of the leaves to remove the sharp parts. Feel free to rub the tips with some lemon too.
4. Slice in halves. Cut the artichokes in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Use a small spoon to scoop out the fuzzy inner part, as well as any small, tough leaves. Finish by rubbing some lemon juice on the freshly cut parts to keep them from browning.

How to Make Grilled Artichokes

Biting into the tender, smoky flesh of grilled artichokes is a treat that you have to experience for yourself. Here's how to make this delicious grilled artichokes recipe at home:

1. Prep for steaming. Pour 1 and 1/2 inches of water into a large pot. Add garlic, a bay leaf, and the rest of the lemon juice. Set a steamer basket inside the pot if you have one, and place the artichoke halves in the basket.
2. Steam the artichokes. Bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, and let the artichokes steam for 25-35 minutes. They are ready when you can smoothly pierce the artichoke heart with a knife, and the leaves pull off without resistance.
3. Set aside. Carefully take the artichokes out of the steamer basket. Set aside.
4. Season the artichokes. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Then, lightly coat the artichokes with olive oil and sprinkle generously with sea salt and black pepper.
5. Grill the artichokes. Put the artichokes on the grill with the cut side facing down. Grill them for 6-10 minutes or until they develop dark brown grill marks.
6. Serve hot. Serve the artichokes with your choice of sauce like garlic herb butter or aioli.
   Tip: Make a simple garlic herb butter sauce by mixing butter with freshly minced garlic and your favorite herbs in a microwave.

Recipe Ideas and Variations

Stick to this simple grilled artichoke recipe or get creative with different toppings and sauces like:

• Toasted nuts: Add some crunch to your grilled artichokes by sprinkling chopped almonds, pistachios, or walnuts on top before serving.
• Feta cheese: Crumble some feta cheese over the top for a tangy and salty surprise.
• Miso glaze: For more umami, mix miso paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. Brush it on the artichokes for a nice Asian twist.
• Maple syrup: Drizzle some maple syrup over the grilled artichokes for a sweet and savory combination.
• Chimichurri sauce: This Mexican sauce made with fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic, and olive oil provides a burst of fresh and herby flavors to the grilled artichokes.

Tips for Grilling Artichokes

Follow these simple tips and tricks to make perfectly grilled artichokes every time:

• Prep the artichokes: Wash the artichokes thoroughly, trim the base and crown, and snip off the prickly tips of the leaves. See my step-by-step guide above on how you can prepare artichokes for grilling.
• Use lemon: To prevent the cut surfaces from browning, rub them with a lemon wedge as you go. You can also use lemon water to keep this simpler.
• Steam before grilling: Always steam the artichokes before grilling. This step will help cook and soften the tough outer leaves, making them easier to grill and eat later on.

What to Eat With Grilled Artichokes

Served with garlic herb butter, grilled artichokes are a great appetizer or side dish with:

• Chicken: Try them alongside Tomato Balsamic Chicken or Sesame Chicken for a balanced meal.
• Pork: Grilled artichokes go really well with Pork Tenderloin or Crispy Almond Crusted Pork.
• Beef: For a hearty meal, serve them with Blackened Steakor Greek Meatballs.
• Seafood: Grilled artichokes are a great complement to seafood, such as Pan Seared Salmon and Cajun Shrimp.
• Pasta: Fresh and light pasta dishes like Pasta Primavera and Caprese Pasta taste amazing with grilled artichokes.

Storage and Reheating

Here's how you can keep grilled artichokes fresh and delicious for days:

To store: Let the artichokes cool to room temperature for a few minutes. Transfer them to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat: Place the artichokes in a preheated oven or on the grill until they are completely heated.