Easy Smoky Grilled Artichokes

Learning how to grill delicious smoky artichokes is easy, and will make this somewhat daunting vegetable one you'll love to cook all summer long!

Whenever I add the words smoky or grilled to a recipe title, it automatically sounds delicious.  

Though these words aren't necessarily interchangeable, but they often go hand in hand. When you grill food it adds a nice char, and with the char, comes smoky flavors.

Using a grill, is almost like adding another ingredient.

Grilled artichokes are an unexpected fun and delicious side to throw on the grill, and I've never met a person who didn't love them.

If you've never worked with artichokes, you might be like I was the first time I tackled them -- I didn't know what was going on with them! They're a flower, they have a heart, there's a spiny part you can't eat, you have to "trim" them -- what is going on!

So let's get into it . . .

Ingredient Notes

• artichokes - When selecting your artichokes, look for those with leaves (actually called bracts) that are tightly packed. They should be heavy for their size and when you squeeze it, you should hear little squeak. If it’s squishy, it’s past its peak. 
• extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper
• char the grill -- Okay, so it's not a food ingredient, but it's an added flavor, for sure!

How to Grill Artichokes

- Cut off about an inch from the top of each artichoke, and the bottom stems. Remove any especially tough outer leaves and discard them. Then use scissors to cut off the sharp tips of the leaves.

- Cut each artichoke in half, vertically. Use a spoon to remove the chokes. Rinse, squeeze lemon juice all over them, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

- Fill a large pot with a few inches of water, and place a steamer basket on top. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat to low and let it simmer.

- Place the artichokes in the steamer, cover, and steam until they're tender.

- Preheat a grill, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until they're nicely marked.

What to Serve with Grilled Artichokes

Since they're smoky, grilled artichokes are delicious as they are - however, they're also delicious with a variety of sauces. Below are a handful that are especially good with them.

• hollandaise
• melted salted butter
• mayonnaise
• aioli
• red pepper pesto sauce
• smoky chipotle aioli
• lemon basil vinaigrette

More Must-Try Spring & Summer Artichoke Recipes

I hope you love these smoky grilled artichokes as much as I do!

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