Fresh Artichokes Guide: How to Choose, Prep, Cook, and Recipes to Try

If you’ve ever walked past fresh artichokes at the store or farmer’s market and wondered how to use them, you’re not alone. They’re one of those ingredients that seem a little intimidating at first, but once you learn a few simple techniques, they’re surprisingly easy—and so worth it.

With their nutty, slightly sweet flavor and tender, buttery texture, artichokes are a great way to elevate everyday meals.

In this Fresh Artichokes Guide, I’ll walk you through how to choose, store, and prep fresh artichokes, along with simple cooking methods and recipes to get you started.

What are artichokes?

Artichokes are the immature flower buds of a thistle plant. The edible portions include the tender inner leaves, the meaty base of each leaf, and the prized center known as the heart.

The fuzzy center, called the choke, isn’t edible and needs to be removed before or after cooking depending on the preparation.

When are artichokes in season?

Artichokes are typically in season in the spring and fall, with peak availability from March through May.

For more seasonal inspiration, see my March produce guide.

How to choose fresh artichokes

When choosing fresh artichokes, look for the following:

• Tightly packed leaves.
• Heavy for their size.
• Deep green color.
• Leaves that squeak slightly when squeezed.

Avoid artichokes with dry, split, or browning leaves.

How to store artichokes

• Store unwashed in the refrigerator.
• Keep in a loosely sealed bag.
• Use within 4–5 days.

How to prep fresh artichokes

Prepping artichokes may seem intimidating, but it’s much easier than it looks. How you prep them may vary slightly depending on how you plan to cook them.

For a full step-by-step tutorial, see my post on how to prep an artichoke.

Basic steps:

Here’s a quick visual overview of the process:

You can also prep the artichoke all the way down to the tender heart with the choke removed, like you see below. This is what you’re aiming for before cooking.

This is the same preparation method I use in my Roman artichokes, where the artichokes are braised until perfectly tender.

How to cook artichokes

Once prepped, artichokes can be cooked in several simple ways depending on the flavor and texture you’re after.

• Roasted. Creates rich flavor and crispy edges. Try my roasted artichokes for a simple, flavorful option.
• Roman-style (braised). Tender, herb-infused, and one of the most classic preparations. My Roman artichokes are meltingly tender and make a show stopping appetizer or side dish.
• Instant pot. This is the fastest way to cook artichokes! These Instant Pot artichokes are ready in a fraction of the time, but recipe includes stove top steaming instructions.