The official vegetable of California can be quickly and easily prepared in the microwave by steaming artichokes. A tasty side dish is to serve with melted butter.

The best method for cooking the artichokes in the microwave is to steam them until they are tender. The dish must have enough depth to accommodate the artichoke and allow the lid to close all the way.

Making microwave artichokes is the main topic of this article. It’s the simplest and quickest method to cook them, especially if you’re only cooking one.

How to Cook One Artichoke in the Microwave

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. I like to use the microwave to prepare the vegetable that resembles a thistle.

I enjoy serving artichokes when we have dinner guests, especially friends of my kids. The unusual-looking vegetable is rarely found on kitchen tables. Guests at the dinner table are curious about the vegetable and wonder how they will eat it. My children instruct them on how to remove the leaves, coat them in melted butter, and pull the stem end through their teeth to extract the meaty, tender section of the artichoke.

1. Prepare the artichoke by cutting about ½-inch off the top and slicing off the stem, leaving about ½-inch. Sharp edges should be cut off the outer leaves. When cleaning the artichoke, gently open the leaves just a little bit while running cold water over it. Artichokes should be held upside down to drain.
2. Put the artichoke in a dish with a lid that is microwave-safe. About ½ inch of water should be added to the dish. 10 minutes on high in a covered microwave.
3. Once the dish has finished steaming, remove it from the microwave and let it stand covered for an additional 5 to 6 minutes.
4. Make a dipping sauce, then take a bite!

Read More: How Does A Microwave Oven Work – Complete Guide to Use It in 2023

What Do Artichokes Taste Like?

Asparagus and artichokes have a comparable flavor. They have a mild flavor that is slightly nutty and sweet. Similar to a boiled or baked potato in texture.

My favorite way to eat artichokes is raw. They are perfect after a quick steam and a dip in melted butter. It also tastes good to squeeze some lemon juice on top.

Expert Tips

• Artichokes cooked in a microwave oven typically come out perfectly, but the amount of time required depends on the size of the artichoke, the size of the baking dish, and the microwave’s power.
• Start cooking your medium or large artichoke at 10 minutes. Start cooking smaller artichokes at 8 minutes. Don’t forget to leave the artichoke in the covered dish to steam for a few minutes after it has been microwaved. It must do this in order to continue softening. If the artichoke is still not cooked to your preferences, microwave it for a few more seconds and then steam it for an equal amount of time, or until it reaches your preferred level of softness. You might not need to cook something for as long if your microwave is powerful. When you can easily insert a fork into the stem of the artichoke and remove the leaves, it is ready.
• Cooking times can also be affected by the baking dish. An oval Corning Ware dish was employed. My artichoke took longer to cook because the dish had a larger surface area than it would have in a smaller dish. If you don’t have a microwave-safe dish with a lid, place a microwave-safe bowl on top of a round glass pie plate that has been turned upside down.
• Pull off a leaf from a microwaved artichoke, scrape the tender flesh off with your teeth, and then throw the leaf away. Avoid consuming the fuzzy choke in the center! The heart and the tiny inner leaves are edible. In order to remove the fuzzy choke with a spoon, I like to cut microwave artichokes in half before serving. It’s up to you.

What Dish Should You Microwave Artichokes In?

To microwave an entire artichoke, you must use a bowl that is microwave-safe and big enough for the vegetable to fit upright.

Do I Need to Cover the Artichokes When Microwaving?

Yes, you must wrap the artichokes in plastic before microwave cooking.

You must randomly poke small holes throughout the plastic wrap after you have covered the dish with it to allow for ventilation.

How Long Do You Microwave Artichokes?

The length of time for microwaving artichokes fully depends on your microwave and the size of the artichoke you are cooking.

Use that as a starting point and adjust the cooking time as necessary; small artichokes will take 12 to 15 minutes on high.

Carefully remove the plastic wrap after removing the cooked artichoke from the microwave to avoid touching any released steam that may have accumulated.

What Voltage/power Does the Microwave Need to Be On?

In order to cook the artichoke in the microwave, you will need to have your microwave on the highest setting possible.

Serving Ideas

Enjoy an artichoke as an appetizer, snack, or side dish! Here is a list of my top three artichoke dipping sauces for you to try. On busy nights, microwave artichokes make a simple side dish because you can cook them while assembling the rest of the meal. For a complete meal, serve with some healthy carbohydrates and a lean protein.

Reheating Artichokes in the Microwave

Additionally, you can rewarm cooked artichokes in the microwave. Cooked artichokes can be made ahead of time and can last for a few days in the fridge in a sealed container. Place the food on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for about a minute at high power.

Artichoke FAQs