Cooking artichokes in a pressure cooker is such an easy way to have the most tender and flavorful artichokes in under 5 minutes. Artichokes are pressure steamed with their seasoning, retaining and absorbing all the flavors. My favorite is Roman artichokes cooked with a blend of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and mint.

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You may not know but Rome is famous for its artichokes. They were a prominent vegetable even in the Roman empire cuisine.
The Roman climate is particularly favorable for growing this vegetable, which you will find in abundance at the Roman markets.
In particular, you will find the "mammola" artichoke which is large, round-headed, less spiky, and more tender than a regular one.
You can recognize it from its purple color.
Cooking artichokes in a pressure cooker
Artichokes can be boiled or steamed, personally, I prefer steaming them as boiling can make them very watery.
If they are cooked whole, they do require a long cooking time, at least 30 minutes.
However, in a pressure cooker, it only takes 3 minutes.
In addition, the pressure of the steam, not only retains the flavor of the flesh, it rapidly softens any hard part of the artichoke and infuses the flavor of the herbs in the entire artichoke, even in the stems.
My pressure cooker is WMF Perfect Pressure Cooker and if you want to find out how I use it and why I prefer it you can read my review: Pressure Cooker
How to clean an artichoke
Cleaning an artichoke can be intimidating, but it shouldn't be. It is not difficult, however, it is best to use gloves as artichokes stain:
- First, remove the external hard leaves, until the yellow flesh appears.
- Then remove all the dark green tops of the leaves which have no meat and end with spikes.
- Last you peel off the green layer of the steam.
- Immediately immerse the artichokes in water and lemon otherwise they will turn black
How to cook artichokes alla Romana
Artichokes alla Romana, meaning the roman way, is the perfect cooking method for those large tender purple 'mammola' artichokes.
On these artichokes, you only need to remove the outer leaves, the tops, and the bear in the center. The rest of the artichokes are tender and edible.
These artichokes are seasoned with a mix of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and mint. You make a paste with those herbs and you push it right in the center of the artichokes.
They are then cooked upside down in a pot at low heat with olive oil and water until the steam cooks the artichokes all the way into the center.
Seasoning and cooking the artichokes
- In a blender prepare the filling by mixing garlic, mint, 2 tablespoon of olive oil and salt
- Stuff the artichokes pushing the filling all the way between the leaves
- Pour 2 tablespoon of olive oil into the pressure cooker
- Arrange the artichokes upside down in the pressure cooker
- Add 1 cup of water and more salt.
N.B: If you are cooking them in a normal pan, cover with water up to the base of the stem
- Cook for 3 minutes in the pressure cooker.
N.B.: In a normal pan cook for 30 minutes
- Arrange the artichokes on a plate, collect the juices in a small bowl and serve
What to serve with Roman artichoke
I always had Roman artichokes as a starter. It is so full of flavor that it can easily stand a serving by itself.
However, it is also a great side dish for a barbecue, especially for lamb. It can combine well with any strong flavor main like beef, pork, or chicken.
Personally I wouldn't serve it with fish as it would overtake the taste.
Other artichokes you can use
The artichokes I used in the video below are not the typical Roman artichokes but I was tempted by an offer and couldn't resist.
An Italian truck was parked on the side of the road with a large sign:
"10 kilos of artichokes for € 5"
I had to buy them!
It doesn't matter if they are not the large and meaty artichokes, as long as they are tender inside. These spiky artichokes did their job.
More artichokes recipes
If you like artichokes, you can find more delicious recipes on the blog:
- Raw artichokes salad
- Minestra with broad beans, artichokes and peas
- Pizza with artichokes and scamorza
- Hot artichoke dip with parmesan and garlic
If you are cooking these Roman Artichokes in Pressure Cooker, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋Roman Artichokes Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 6 artichokes
- 2 cloves peeled garlic cloves
- 4 mint leaves
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Clean the artichoke
- First, remove the hard external leaves6 artichokes
- Cut the top spikes of the artichoke
- Peel the green part of the stem
- Immediately immerse them in water and lemon otherwise they will get dark
Prepare the filling
- In a blender prepare the filling by mixing garlic, mint, 2 tablespoon of olive oil and salt2 cloves peeled garlic cloves, 4 mint leaves, 2 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Stuff the artichokes pushing the filling all the way between the leaves
- Pour 2 tablespoon of olive oil into the pressure cooker
- Arrange the artichokes upside down in the pressure cooker
- Add 1 cup of water and more salt. If you are cooking them in a normal pan, cover with water up to the base of the stem
- Cook for 3 minutes in the pressure cooker, in a normal pan cook for 30 minutes
- Arrange on a plate and serve
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Yummy! These artichokes look delicious! I didn't grow up eating artichokes but I do love them. I love the video and how easy it looks to prepare them! Great job!
Helen Porter
Amazing! I will buy a pressure cooker asap.
Laura
I use the pressure cooker a lot, such a time saver. Check out my article on the pressure cooker, you will find all the recipes I have published until now
Tania
Thank you so much for a great recipe and step by step instructions Laura! I'm never sure how to cook artichoke, hence I've been hesitant about buying it from my fruit and veg stall but now I feel like I can handle it! Can't wait to try it.
Laura
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it. I am sure that if you try them fresh you will love them
Sarah
Yes! Love any and all pressure cooker recipes and this one will definitely be added to the list! These artichokes look delicious!
Laura
Thanks, I am glad you like it
Diana
I LOVE artichokes but never tried cooking them at home. This looks absolutely amazing, I need to find some next time I go to the farmer's market.
Laura
Thanks, I hope you do. It is so rewarding
Demeter
I love artichokes! Such a great way to enjoy a truly tasty food. 🙂
Laura
I found people either love them or hate them. I love them too
Jill
I always think of artichokes as so intimidating. This is a great tutorial for fixing them!
Laura
I know, but they are very easy to make. I am glad you find the video of interest
Beth
They look so good! I have never made artichokes but I love them! I need to invest in a pressure cooker!!
Laura
I use my pressure cooker very often but even if you don't have tone you should try to cook artichokes, they are so much better when fresh