Grilled Artichoke Recipe with Magical Aioli

This Grilled Artichoke recipe has a delicate, smokey flavor thanks to the barbecue and is served with the most flavorful, amazing lemon aioli you will ever eat. Learn how to grill artichokes with this easy to follow recipe. If you like artichokes, you are going to love them grilled!

It is finally warming back up outside and summer will be here before we know it! I’m excited for two reasons. First of all, I love, love, love the heat. I am a sun lover, 100%. The second is, grilling season is back again, yay.

I was born in the Bay Area in California and grew up with artichoke plants in my backyard. My mom would prepare them for us often during artichoke season. We always ate them boiled and served with mayonnaise. They were (and still are) my absolute favorite vegetable.

Can You Grill Artichokes?

Yes, YOU can grill artichokes. Artichokes are so delicious and they are such an easy vegetable to make, even if they seem a little intimidating. You’ll be eating grilled artichokes in no time, by following these simple instructions.

First, preheat your charcoal or wood grill (propane grill gets started a little later, no need to waste gas). Next, prep the artichoke by rinsing it, cutting off the top and the very end of the stem, (and tips of the leaves if you like). Add the artichokes to well salted, boiling water. Once a leaf is easily removed, they are done boiling. Pull them out of the hot water and place on a clean towel or baking sheet to dry.

Preheat propane grill. Cut artichokes in half and gently scoop out the fuzzy choke (it’s just above the heart). Make and brush on olive oil mixture to the cut side of the artichoke. Grill cut side down for 10 minutes, then flip to the other side for 5 more minutes. Serve with magical lemon aioli!

What is This Magical Lemon Aioli?

This is technically a cheater aioli. That is because it’s made with mayonnaise instead of basically making the mayo from scratch. A real aioli takes way more work and I don’t always have time for “more work.” So, this is what we are getting today, “fake aioli.”

But, believe me when I say that it is the most flavorful dip, I just know you are going to love it because it is amazing!I I love this time saving method and this sauce will NOT disappoint. You are going to want to try this dip on everything you can think of, like sandwiches, French fries, or even asparagus. It’s especially great in this grilled artichoke recipe. You’ll thank me later.

I like to prepare the easy lemon aioli before starting the artichokes because it needs at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. It can also be made 2-3 days in advance.

You can even add artichokes to pizza, check out this recipe for artichoke pizza.

How to Eat Grilled Artichokes?

I have always thought artichokes were so fun to eat. It is a process for sure and takes some time to peel through all of the layers to eventually get to the best part, the heart. In case you were wondering what part of the artichoke do you eat, with these grilled artichokes, you will want to start from the outside and work your way in.

• With the cut side down on a plate, peel off an outer leaf. Dip the side of the leaf that was attached to the artichoke into aioli.
• Bite down on the leaf, sliding it between your teeth to remove the soft meat on the end.
• Repeat this through all the leaves until you get to the purple leaves (if they stayed intact through the grilling process). You can eat the soft, bottom half of these leaves.
• You can eat the whole heart and even down into the soft, inner part of the stem.

What to Make With Grilled Artichokes?

There are so many options of what to eat with this grilled artichoke recipe. Eat these as a main meal on their own or a side dish with grilled steak, baked chicken, seafood, or more vegetables. Of course, these can be eaten by themselves, but I think they are best when you serve them with the lemon aioli dipping sauce.

Grilled Artichoke Recipe Ingredients

• Artichokes: This recipe will need 4 fresh artichokes.
• Olive Oil: I love to use extra virgin olive oil.
• Lemon Juice: You will want to use freshly squeezed lemon juice not the bottled stuff.
• Salt: Kosher or sea salt.
• Pepper: Freshly ground pepper

Magical Lemon Aioli Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: I used a full fat mayonnaise, but you can try any mayo.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is needed.
• Garlic: Two large cloves or garlic or about 1 teaspoon.
• Parsley: Freshly chopped Italian flat leaf parsley.
• Salt: Kosher or sea salt.
• Pepper: Freshly ground pepper.

How to Make Easy (& Magical) Lemon Aioli

1. Measure out all of the ingredients.
2. Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh parsley.
3. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Put in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.

How to Make Grilled Artichokes

1. Start the grill if you are using a wood or charcoal grill up to medium high heat (350°-400°). Start propane grill after Step 5.
2. Fill a very large pot full of water and add , you will need enough to cover the artichokes. Add some salt and bring up to a boil. While you are waiting for the water, prepare your artichokes.
3. Wash artichokes well, rinsing under running water. Tear off any small, loose leaves at the bottom of the artichoke. Trim the ends of the stems and cut about 1 inch off the top of the artichokes. You can trim off the tips (the sharp points) of the artichoke leaves with scissors, if you like.
4. Place artichokes gently into the boiling water, bring water back up to a boil. Reduce heat and cover pot. Simmer for 25-30 minutes depending on the size of your artichokes.
5. Drain the water and place artichokes upside down on a clean towel or baking sheet to dry, pat dry with paper towels as needed.
6. If using a propane grill light it now.
7. Cut artichokes in half lengthwise. Remove the choke (the inedible spiky part of the artichoke) with a small spoon or melon baller, being careful not to scoop out the heart of the artichoke.
8. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Brush the mixture on to the cut side of the artichokes.
9. Place artichokes cut side down onto the hot grill for about 10 minutes with lid closed. Flip the artichokes over and cook for 5 more minutes.
10. Serve with magical lemon aioli.

Recipe Tips

• Peel the outside of the stem with a vegetable peeler, this is optional.
• Trim the tips off each leaf with scissors. It’s not necessary, (my mom never did this) it’s mostly for looks.
• Add a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to the water that the artichokes get boiled in for a little extra flavor.
• Eat the inside of the stem, it is kind of like an extension of the tender heart.
• Throw some extra cut lemons on the grill with the artichokes to squeeze onto the finished artichokes.
• A cool tip: Once the water from the boiled artichokes has cooled down, you can use it to water your plants. It’s full of nutrients.

Variations

• Instead of making the aioli, serve these artichokes with sour cream, plain mayonnaise, hummus, or melted butter.
• After grilling, pull the leaves off of the artichokes and serve just the leaves along with the heart.
• Quicker boiling method: before you boil the artichokes, cut them in half. Scoop out the choke (the fuzzy, inedible part of the artichoke) and boil for about 15 minutes. They will boil in about half the time.

Storage Instructions

• How to Refrigerate: Let the artichokes cool and put in a glass container or BPA-free airtight plastic container or zipper bag. They should last about 4 days in the fridge. The lemon aioli dipping sauce will last in the fridge for 2-3 days.
• Can you Freeze Grilled Artichokes: I don’t recommend freezing uncooked artichokes or grilled artichokes.
• How to Reheat Grilled Artichokes: Reheat cold artichokes in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until desired warmth is reached.

Try these other recipes that go great with bbq!

• Baby Yoda Cocktail
• Parmesan Asparagus
• Salt & Vinegar Potatoes
• Caprese Salad Skewers
• Pretzel Bites
• Instant Pot Artichokes

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