Skip the butter! These steamed artichokes are served with a 5-ingredient garlic tahini dipping sauce that takes 5 minutes to make. Dairy-free, naturally vegan, and incredibly good.
Steamed artichokes are one of those recipes that look intimidating and take almost zero effort. You trim them, you steam them for 30 minutes, and dinner practically makes itself. The part everyone actually argues about? The dipping sauce.
I skip the butter. I skip the mayo. What I make instead is this garlic tahini sauce: creamy, bright with lemon, and just garlicky enough to make every single leaf worth pulling. It’s the same tahini base I grew up with in Lebanese cooking, and it makes artichokes taste like something you’d order at a restaurant.
Already know how to prep a whole artichoke? Jump straight to the recipe. If this is your first time working with fresh artichokes, my step-by-step how-to guide walks you through the whole process. Interested in trying artichoke in other recipes? Try my Chicken and Artichoke Farro Bake or Italian Chicken Pasta with Artichokes.
Why You’ll Love These Artichokes
- Tahini beats butter. This sauce is dairy-free, high in protein, and works for vegans without sacrificing any of the richness you want from a dipping sauce.
- Five ingredients, no blender. The tahini sauce comes together in one bowl with a whisk. That’s it.
- Genuinely impressive. Whole steamed artichokes look like a project. They take 10 minutes of active work. It’s our go-to when we want dinner to feel a little special without much effort.
- Kids love it. Rich and I serve these as a starter and our kids pull the leaves one by one, which means they’re occupied for 20 minutes and eating vegetables. Win!
Ingredients
- Artichokes: Very mild, slightly sweet flavor that are rich in many nutrients like fiber, potassium, and protein.
- Tahini: Sesame seed paste that is used in many Middle-Eastern cuisines, it has a creamy consistency.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the sauce.
- Garlic: A little nutty, pungent, and rich flavor added to the sauce.
How to Make Steamed Artichokes with Tahini Dipping Sauce
Step 1. Trim the tops off of your artichokes, and cut the bottom off the stems. Use scissors to trim the pointy parts of any of the side leaves as well.
Step 2. Fill a pot with 2-3 inches of water, then place your steamer basket. Place artichokes in steamer and cover with lid. Cook for about 30-35 minutes.
Step 3. While artichokes are steaming, add the tahini to a bowl and add the fresh lemon juice.
Step 4. Add garlic and salt, then whisk with some warm water until you reach your desired consistency.
Once artichokes are finished, serve alongside the sauce and fresh lemon wedges, and enjoy your Steamed Artichokes with Tahini Dipping Sauce! For a little kick of heat, I like to sprinkle the sauce with cayenne. If you want to keep it mild, smoked paprika works well, too.
How to Eat a Steamed Artichoke
If you’ve never eaten a whole artichoke before, here’s exactly what to do:
- Pull off a leaf. Starting from the outside, pull one leaf off at a time. It should come off easily when the artichoke is done.
- Dip the fleshy end. The soft, pale end at the base of each leaf is the part you eat. Dip it in the tahini sauce.
- Scrape with your teeth. Place that end between your front teeth and pull the leaf through. You’ll scrape off a small amount of tender flesh. Discard the rest of the leaf.
- Work your way in. The leaves get more tender as you move toward the center. Keep going; the best part is still coming.
- Remove the choke. Once the leaves are gone, you’ll hit a cluster of thin purple-tipped leaves and a fuzzy layer underneath. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard that fuzzy choke.
- Eat the heart. The artichoke heart is the prize: dense, buttery, and delicious. Cut it into pieces and dip generously.
More Vegetarian Recipes
- Fall Farro Salad
- Garlic Roasted Vegetable Pasta
- Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry with Chickpeas
- Caprese Quinoa Salad
- Lebanese Lentil Soup with Greens
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
Did you try this recipe? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
What are your favorite ways to eat artichokes? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
No forks required.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare and steam artichokes by following my step-by-step tutorial.
- While artichokes are steaming, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, warm water, garlic and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
- Serve steamed artichokes with tahini garlic dipping sauce on the side. Sprinkle tahini sauce with cayenne if you wish.
Liz’s Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s usually best to steam artichokes stem side up in the steamer basket.
You’ll know the artichokes are ready to eat when the inner leaves pull apart easily and the heart is fork-tender.
You can grill them, steam them, or boil them! You can try my Italian Stuffed Artichokes next to try them boiled.
Yes, and it’s worth doing! A halved lemon, a smashed garlic clove, and a bay leaf in the water will gently perfume the artichokes as they steam. It’s a small step that makes a noticeable difference.
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