I don’t know if I like the actual artichoke or the butter and garlic better! For some reason, I crave them and need to cook them every couple of weeks, and they have become our guilty pleasure for sure. I hope that you love our recipe for Instant Pot Artichokes as much as we do!
Jump to:
I have always boiled artichokes…until now! When I boil them, I become pretty impatient and often find myself taking them out of the water before they have finished cooking. Why do they take so long?? If you are impatient and want really good artichokes, then you have to try cooking them in your Instant Pot. If you like artichokes as much as I do, be sure to check out my recipe for Instant Pot Artichoke and Spinach Dip!

Artichokes are the perfect snack, side dish or appetizer…or even meal! Yes, I could eat a couple of big artichokes for dinner…they are that good! And…they are pretty healthy, with the exception of the butter…and I use a lot of butter with mine! If you’ve never had fresh artichokes, you are missing out. They taste nothing like the jarred or canned versions since those are usually in a brine of some kind. Instead, the fresh artichoke takes on a savory, buttery taste when you make them fresh. And, one of the BEST parts of the artichoke is the heart. I never use to eat the heart because it was a pain to get to. But, if you put in the effort, you will be so glad that you did. It’s literally the BEST part!

Tips for making Instant Pot Artichokes
To double-check to make sure that your artichoke is cooked, stick a fork in the stem. If it’s soft, then your artichoke is finished cooking. If the artichoke stem starts to turn mushy, then it’s been cooked too long.
Start by pulling off the outer leaves. The first row of leaves is usually a little too tough to eat. When you pull off the leaves, you only want to eat the softer fleshy part of the leaf that is closest to the stem. Pull the leaf off of the stem, dip the bottom in butter and scrape the fleshy part off with your teeth. Discard the remainder of the leaf. When you start to get to the prickly hairs towards the center, do not eat the prickles. Use a spoon to scoop the prickly part off of the round base that is connected to the stem. Once all of the prickles and small hairs have been removed, dip the round heart into butter and eat. You can eat a small portion of the top of the stem as it is tender.
This will vary based on the size of the artichoke. The longer the artichoke cooks, the more tender it will be. Based on the size of the artichoke, it should take between 5 and 15+ minutes to cook. Extra Large Artichokes: 15+ minutes. Large Artichokes: 13 minutes. Medium Artichokes: 10 minutes. Small Artichokes: 5 minutes.
My go-to for dipping artichokes is very simple…butter. I prefer to use salted store-bought butter as there is a lot more flavor with the addition of salt to the butter. But, you can also add fresh lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, or even make your own dipping sauces or dijon mustard.
Artichokes, believe it or not, are actually flowers. The part of the artichoke that we eat is the flower bud of a thistle. Even though the artichoke is a flower, it is considered to be a vegetable…and a really good one at that!
Ingredient tips and substitutions
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.

- Artichokes: You must use fresh, whole artichokes for this recipe. Do not use canned or jarred artichokes. Large artichokes with rounded leaves are the best. But, any size artichoke will work.
- Water: Water is the easiest to use for this recipe. But, if preferred, you can use vegetable broth instead.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves or jarred garlic will work. I don’t recommend using dried or powdered garlic.
- Butter: Salted butter! Butter substitutes can be used, but may not be as flavorful and delicious when used to dip the artichoke in.
- Optional Ingredients: Lemon and homemade dipping sauces are great accompaniments for serving.
Directions for Making Instant Pot Artichokes
- Trim artichoke leaves and stem. Using kitchen scissors, trim the top ¼ of each artichoke leaf removing the pointy end. Trim artichoke stem using kitchen knife until it is 1 inch long.
- Make compound butter by mixing ¼ pound (1 stick) of softened butter and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
- Fill and top artichokes with compound butter by smearing the butter on the top of the artichoke and pulling butter into leaves with a spatula.
- Place a metal or silicone trivet into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water.
- Place the artichokes on the trivet, stem side down.
- Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Turn vent to sealing position.
- Let the Instant Pot come to pressure and cook 13 minutes. Timing will vary based on the size of artichokes. Large: 13 minutes. Medium: 10 minutes. Small: 5 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, carefully turn the vent to the release position. Quick release until steam no longer comes from the Instant Pot.
- Open the Instant Pot, remove the artichokes and serve with the remaining butter (melt the butter).
Save for Later on Pinterest!

Recipe
Instant Pot Artichokes
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- 1 Trivet
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 (2) Large Artichokes (Fresh)
- ½ Pound (113 ⅖ g) Salted Butter (2 sticks of salted butter-Softened-not melted)
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Minced Garlic
- 1 Cup (236 ⅗ ml) Water
Instructions
Preparing Instant Pot Artichokes
- Trim artichoke leaves and stem. Using kitchen scissors, trim the top ยผ of each artichoke leaf removing the pointy end. Trim artichoke stem using kitchen knife until it is 1 inch long.
- Make compound butter by mixing ¼ pound (1 stick) of softened butter and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- Fill and top artichokes with compound butter by smearing the butter on the top of the artichoke and pulling butter into leaves with a spatula,
Cooking Instant Pot Artichokes
- Place a metal or silicone trivet into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water.
- Place the artichokes on the trivet, stem side down.
- Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Turn vent to sealing position.
- Let the Instant Pot come to pressure and cook 13 minutes. Timing will vary based on the size of artichokes.Large-13 minutesMedium- 10 minutesSmall- 5 minutes
- When the timer goes off, carefully turn the vent to the release position. Quick release until steam no longer comes from the Instant Pot
- Open the Instant Pot, remove the artichokes and serve with the remaining butter (melt the butter).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!
-
Use Magic Shell Instead of Chocolate Chips as a Ninja Creami Mix-In
If you’ve been adding chocolate chips to your Ninja Creami ice cream as a mix-in and ending up with little frozen rocks in your ice cream, there’s a better way. Magic Shell is the easiest way to get little chocolate bits throughout your ice cream…without hurting your teeth. Here’s why it works so much better and how to use it. Why are chocolate chips a problem in Ninja Creami ice cream? Chocolate chips freeze hard. Really hard. When you add them to the ice cream, they turn into hard little solid chunks that are really hard to chew. In frozen […]
-
Ninja Creami Lemon Ice Cream
If you love lemon desserts, you’re going to love this Ninja Creami lemon ice cream. It’s bright, refreshing, and has the most perfect balance of sweet and tart from real lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract. This is the kind of ice cream that’s perfect for a hot summer day…or any day! Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Lemon Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Lemon ice cream is […]
-
Ninja Creami Recipes With 3 Ingredients or Less
I like keeping a few Ninja Creami recipes in my back pocket that don’t need a long grocery list, and this collection is exactly that. Sometimes the simplest base ends up being the one I make the most. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Pineapple Sorbet Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Italian Ice Ninja Creami Peaches and Cream Ice Cream Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Banana Chocolate Chip Lite Ice Cream Ninja Creami Peach Sorbet Ninja Creami Mango Sorbet Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet Comments Four of the nine recipes here are straightforward fruit sorbets, including Pineapple Sorbet, […]
-
Is It Normal for the Ninja Creami Paddle to Feel Wobbly?
If the paddle in your Ninja Creami processing lid feels a little loose or wobbly, you’re probably wondering if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong. Here’s why it’s like that and how to know your paddle is actually installed correctly. Is it normal for the Ninja Creami paddle to feel wobbly? Yes. A loose or wobbly paddle is completely normal on all Ninja Creami machines. It is designed that way. It will not affect how your ice cream processes and there is nothing wrong with your machine. Why Is the Paddle Loose? The Creamerizer paddle needs a small amount of […]
-
Ninja Creami Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
If you love the combination of cherries and chocolate, you have to make this Ninja Creami black cherry chocolate chunk ice cream. It has real fresh cherry flavor, chunks of dark chocolate in every bite, and the most amazing creamy texture. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Cherries and chocolate are one of those classic flavor combinations that just works. […]
-
Can You Use Generic or Knock-Off Ninja Creami Containers?
This question comes up constantly in the Ninja Creami community. Can you use generic or knock-off containers? Here’s the honest answer, along with what I found when I actually measured them myself and where to find the real ones. Can you use generic or knock-off Ninja Creami containers? Technically, yes. Generic containers CAN work. But they can also cause the containers to get scratched, or cause the machine to malfunction. And using non-Ninja approved accessories can void your warranty. So yes, you can use knock-offs. But at your own risk. Many people swear that their Temu or Amazon third-party containers […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream
If you’re looking for something a little different from your typical strawberry ice cream, you have to try this Ninja Creami strawberry basil goat cheese protein ice cream. It’s light, refreshing, and the goat cheese gives it this amazing tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh basil and sweet strawberries. Trust me, the goat cheese is what makes this one really special. This recipe comes in at 284 calories, 36 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 9 grams of fat, and 18 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat […]
-
Can You Use Ice in the Ninja Creami?
One of the most important rules for keeping your Ninja Creami safe is this: no ice. That means no ice cubes, no crushed ice, and no pure frozen water. Here’s what that actually means, what counts as ice, and why water as part of a recipe is a completely different thing. Can you use ice in the Ninja Creami? No. You cannot put ice cubes or crushed ice into the Ninja Creami container. Pure water frozen alone is essentially ice and has the same problem. The machine is not designed to process ice and doing so can damage the paddle […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you love the combination of strawberry, coconut, and chocolate, you have to give this Ninja Creami strawberry coco-nut protein ice cream a try. It’s creamy, packed with real strawberry flavor, and the toasted coconut goes surprisingly well with chocolate chips and walnuts. This recipe comes in at 374 calories, 36 grams of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 19 grams of fat, and 19 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream […]
-
Is It Normal for the Ninja Creami Spindle to Stick Out?
If you look at your Ninja Creami and notice the spindle poking out of the bottom of the machine, you might wonder if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong. Here’s why it looks like that and what to expect. Is it normal for the Ninja Creami spindle to stick out? Yes. The spindle sticking out of the bottom of the machine when it is off is completely normal and exactly how it is supposed to look. It sticks out about an inch when the machine is not in use. It should not go all the way back up into the […]
-
Ninja Creami Super Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
If you love strawberry ice cream, this Ninja Creami super strawberry protein ice cream is going to blow your mind. It has fresh strawberry flavor from FOUR different ingredients, a creamy texture, and a really bright pink color. Trust me, you’re going to love this recipe. This recipe comes in at 215 calories, 35 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 12 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Super Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making […]
-
How to Get Rid of Ice on the Outside of Ninja Creami Ice Cream
Sometimes a layer of ice forms around the inside walls of the Ninja Creami container during freezing, sitting between the outer edge of the frozen base and the container. If that ice gets mixed into the ice cream when you process it, it can affect the texture and make it icier than it should be. Here’s how to fix it so that the ice cream is creamy instead of icy. Why does ice form around the outside of the frozen base? When the base freezes, moisture from condensation or from the base itself can collect between the frozen mixture and […]
-
Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream
Taffy apples are one of my favorite fall treats, and this Ninja Creami taffy apple protein ice cream tastes just like one. You get that sweet caramel flavor, real green apple, and chopped peanuts in every bite. It’s creamy, sweet, a little tart, and so much fun to eat. This recipe comes in at 293 calories, 33 grams of protein, 17 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, and 26 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions […]
-
When to Use Re-Spin vs. Processing on Ice Cream Again in Ninja Creami
Re-Spin and the Ice Cream function on the Ninja Creami are not interchangeable. Using the wrong one at the wrong time will not give you the result you’re looking for and can even damage your machine. Here’s exactly when to use each one. What is the difference between Re-Spin and processing on Ice Cream? Ice Cream (and other processing functions) are designed to process a frozen solid base. Re-Spin is designed to further smooth a base that has just been processed, but came out with a texture that isn’t quite right. They are two different functions for two different situations. […]
-
Ninja Creami Caramel Cookie Supreme Protein Ice Cream
Caramel ice cream loaded with chunks of sugar cookie dough and pieces of Werther’s Original candies? Yes please!!! This Ninja Creami caramel cookie supreme protein ice cream is creamy, sweet, and tastes like a no-bake sugar cookie wrapped up in caramel ice cream with 30 grams of protein in the ENTIRE pint. This recipe comes in at 308 calories, 30 grams of protein, 7.5 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, and 31 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Caramel Cookie Supreme Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? […]
-
Ninja Creami Caramel Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
Caramel, cheesecake, and chocolate chips all in one ice cream? Yes please!!! This Ninja Creami caramel chocolate chip cheesecake protein ice cream is thick, creamy, and has so much real caramel flavor with bits of Werther’s Original candies and chopped chocolate chips throughout every single bite. This recipe comes in at 315 calories, 30 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, 9.5 grams of fat, and 37 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Caramel Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions […]
-
Ninja Creami Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love cotton candy, you have to try this Ninja Creami cotton candy protein ice cream. It tastes EXACTLY like the cotton candy you’d get at a carnival, has 31 grams of protein per pint, and it comes out pink, white, and blue right in the same container. You would never know it’s a protein ice cream! This recipe comes in at 357 calories, 31 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 11.5 grams of fat, and 53 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Pretzel Pie Protein Ice Cream
If you have ever had strawberry pretzel pie at a summer BBQ or potluck, you know how good those flavors are together. This Ninja Creami strawberry pretzel pie protein ice cream takes that same combination of sweet strawberry, cheesecake, and crunchy pretzel and turns it into a thick and creamy frozen treat. I promise you would never know it has 33 grams of protein! This recipe comes in at 359 calories, 33 grams of protein, 10 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 50 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Pretzel Pie […]
-
Ninja Creami Coffee Toffee Protein Ice Cream
If you love coffee ice cream, you have to try my recipe for Ninja Creami toffee coffee protein ice cream. It has the perfect amount of coffee flavor, a thick and creamy texture, and a really good crunch from the Heath chip mix-ins. I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream! This recipe comes in at 357 calories, 30 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 13 grams of fat, for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Toffee Coffee Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips […]
-
Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you loved Baskin Robbins Baseball Nut ice cream as a kid, you have to try this Ninja Creami baseball nut protein ice cream. It’s a creamy vanilla base loaded with chopped cashews and homemade raspberry sauce throughout, and I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Baseball Nut from Baskin […]
-
Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream
I will be the first person to tell you that I HATE cottage cheese. I cannot stand the texture, the flavor, none of it. So when I tell you that this Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream does not taste like cottage cheese, I mean it! I promise! This recipe comes in at 297.59 calories, 38.2 grams of protein, 21.11 grams of sugar, 4.23 grams of fat, and 27.68 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami […]











Daina says
I followed the directions exactly. I ended up having to put them back in for two minutes at a time several times. I am from the west coast so Iโm used to artichokes being very large. I guessed the ones I was cooking were small to medium, so I cooked them based on medium time frame recommendation. I never did get them done. Not sure why I couldnโt get them to turn out.
TheTastyTravelers says
Hi there. Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry to hear that your artichokes did not turn out. It really does depend on what size artichoke you are making and how well done you like them. It sounds like you have some pretty big (I’m so jealous!)artichokes. I would recommend cooking them longer next time. Based on your feedback, I did go and update the recipe to include a longer cook time for extra large artichokes and made the recommendation to pressure cook an additional 2 minutes if you prefer your artichokes a little softer. I hope that helps! ๐
brandy says
do you just eat the heart not leaves?
TheTastyTravelers says
You eat the heart and the meaty bottom part of the leaves. After they are cooked, the bottom of the leaves by the stem get soft. You pull off each leaf and then dip in butter and scrape off the meaty part with your teeth. When you start to get to the center of the artichoke, the leaves will become very small and a little prickly. Don’t eat those. Rip off the center of the leaves and all of the furry parts. I use a spoon to remove the fur to keep the heart in tact. Once the heart is exposed and all of the fur is removed, dip the heart in butter and enjoy! It’s so good!
Dawn Waarich says
Now I want burnt ends and artichokes!
TheTastyTravelers says
Me too! They were both sooooo good! Let us know if you try the artichoke recipe. ๐