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Master the art of grilling artichokes with this game-changing Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce recipe! Forget everything you know about plain steamed artichokes - this grilling method creates caramelized edges and a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with our creamy, tangy lemon garlic sauce. Whether you're a longtime artichoke lover or a complete newbie, this easy method transforms an intimidating vegetable into a crave-worthy side dish that's naturally low-carb and keto-friendly.
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Why You'll Love This Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce Recipe
- Restaurant-Quality Results at Home: Learn the secrets to perfectly grilled artichokes that rival any steakhouse version. The combination of pre-boiling and grilling creates tender hearts with slightly charred edges, while the lemon garlic sauce adds that perfect finishing touch.
- Foolproof Method: No more mystery about how to prepare artichokes! Our step-by-step instructions take you from selection to serving, making even this seemingly complex vegetable approachable and achievable for any home cook.
- Versatile Low-Carb Side: Whether you're serving alongside grilled steaks or as a vegetarian main, these artichokes fit any meal plan. With zero net carbs and packed with flavor, they're perfect for keto, low-carb, or anyone who loves good food!
In This Post
- 🥘Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce Ingredient Notes
- 🔪How to Make Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
- Storing and Reheating Your Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 💭My Recipe Tips
- FAQ about Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 🍽️Serving Suggestions
- More Delicious Grilling Recipes...
- Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
- Food safety
Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce: Turn Plain Veggies into Grilled Perfection! 🌿
Let me share how these Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce became our family's favorite veggie dish! I have such strong feelings for artichokes that I'm practically ready to marry them - though grilled asparagus might be competition. I guess whichever vegetable brings the biggest ring wins! 😉
Growing up, I was apparently a vegetable-loving wonder child until school lunches changed everything. That's when I discovered my beloved father (total daddy's girl here!) only ate three vegetables: canned asparagus, canned spinach (yuck!), and potatoes. Like father, like daughter - my vegetable world became very limited.
Then, Mom brought home my first fresh artichoke. I laughed when she said we were grilling artichokes for dinner, but that first bite of perfectly grilled artichoke changed everything! The tender leaves, the smoky flavor, the way they soaked up that lemon garlic sauce - I was hooked!
While my son inherited my love for grilled artichokes with lemon garlic sauce, my daughter and husband Kevin weren't instant fans. That all changed when I perfected this grilling method! Despite their initial skepticism about having grilled artichokes for dinner (again), everything shifted when these beauties came off the grill. The combination of charred edges, tender hearts, and that zesty lemon garlic sauce won them over completely.
Now Kevin's such a convert, he requests these grilled artichokes regularly - especially during grilling season. The lemon garlic sauce has become his favorite part, and he even makes sure we always have the ingredients on hand for when the artichoke craving strikes. Sorry honey, but I still plan to marry the artichoke!
🍽️✨ Don't forget to share your delightful creations with us on Instagram using #BobbisKozyKitchen for a chance to be featured in our newsletter! 📸
🥘Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce Ingredient Notes
Here, I explain the best ingredients for my Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For the exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Fresh Artichokes: Choose heavy, firm artichokes with tight leaves. Substitution: No substitution - must be fresh.
- Lemons: Provides acidity and prevents browning. Substitution: Fresh lemon juice only, bottled won't work.
- Greek Yogurt: Creates creamy sauce base. Substitution: Sour cream works too.
- Mayo: Adds richness to the sauce. Substitution: Use zero-carb mayo for the keto version.
- Garlic: Essential for both artichokes and sauce. Substitution: Fresh only - powder won't give the same result.
- Olive Oil: Helps with grilling and flavor. Substitution: Avocado oil for higher heat.
The printable recipe card at the bottom of the page contains a detailed list of measurements and instructions.
🔪How to Make Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
I have included a few step-by-step photos to help you visualize the recipe. The recipe card below provides the full instructions, including amounts and temperatures.
Using a tablespoon or other large metal spoon, scrape the fuzzy choke and purple leaves out of the artichoke halves.
Lay the artichoke halves on a baking sheet, cut side up, and rub them with olive oil.
Place the artichoke halves into the pot and boil for 20 minutes.
Place the artichoke halves on the grill cut side down, and grill.
Storing and Reheating Your Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Storage Instructions:
- Grilled Artichokes:
- Store in an airtight container
- Keep in refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Store sauce separately
- Best served fresh
- Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- Store in an airtight container
- Keeps in refrigerator for 4-5 days
- Give a quick stir before using
- Let come to room temperature for serving
- Prep-Ahead Options:
- Boil artichokes the day before
- Make sauce 1-2 days ahead
- Grill just before serving
- Store prepared artichokes in lemon water
Reheating Instructions:
- Grill Method (Best):
- Preheat grill to medium
- Brush with olive oil
- Heat 2-3 minutes per side
- Serve with room temperature sauce
- Oven Method:
- Preheat to 350°F
- Place on baking sheet
- Heat 10-12 minutes
- Drizzle with fresh olive oil
Pro Tips:
- Artichokes taste best fresh off the grill
- Don't microwave - makes them soggy
- Fresh sauce makes a big difference
- Consider making extra sauce for other uses
💭My Recipe Tips
1. Artichoke Selection: Choose heavy, firm artichokes with tight, compact leaves. They should squeak when squeezed - that's how you know they're fresh! Smaller artichokes often have more tender hearts.
2. Perfect Preparation: When cleaning artichokes, be thorough when removing the fuzzy choke. A grapefruit spoon works great for this task, getting into all the nooks and crannies.
3. Prevent Browning: Rub cut surfaces immediately with lemon to prevent oxidation. Keep prepared artichokes in lemon water if not cooking right away.
4. Boiling Success: Don't skip the pre-boiling step! This ensures tender artichokes that will grill beautifully. Salt the water well - it should taste like seawater.
5. Grilling Technique: Maintain medium heat - too hot, and the leaves will burn before the heart heats through. Those lovely char marks should develop gradually.
6. Sauce Strategy: Make the sauce ahead to let flavors develop. Room temperature sauce works best, so pull it from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving.
7. Serving Smart: Provide an extra bowl for discarded leaves and demonstrate the eating technique for artichoke newbies - many people don't know how to scrape the meat off with their teeth!
FAQ about Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
The leaves should pull away easily, and you should see nice char marks. A knife should slide into the heart without resistance. Remember, since they're pre-boiled, you're mainly looking for good color and smoky flavor from the grill.
Pre-boiling ensures tender artichokes throughout. Grilling alone wouldn't cook them properly - you'd end up with charred outsides and tough insides.
Fresh artichokes are essential for this recipe. Frozen hearts won't give you the same grilling experience or presentation - plus you'd miss out on all those wonderful leaves!
🍽️Serving Suggestions
Perfect Pairings
Serve these grilled artichokes alongside grilled steaks, chicken, or fish for a complete meal. The lemon garlic sauce complements any protein beautifully, and the artichokes add an elegant touch to your dinner table.
Appetizer Style
Transform these into a stunning starter by arranging them on a large platter with extra sauce in the center. Add lemon wedges and fresh herbs for garnish, and consider providing small individual dipping bowls of sauce.
Summer Entertaining
Make these the star of your next barbecue by creating a grilled vegetable spread. Pair them with grilled asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers for a colorful, low-carb feast that showcases summer's best.
Make It a Meal
For a lighter option, serve two halves as a main course alongside a fresh green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. The creamy sauce makes it satisfying enough to stand alone as an entrée.
Sauce Innovations
Double the sauce recipe - it's fantastic on other vegetables, works as a salad dressing, or can be used as a dip for raw vegetables. Consider setting up a sauce bar with variations like added herbs or different spice levels.
Educational Experience
For artichoke newcomers, create a fun dining experience by demonstrating proper eating technique. Set up each place setting with an empty bowl for discarded leaves and provide extra napkins - eating artichokes is a delightfully hands-on experience!
More Delicious Grilling Recipes...
Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large artichokes
- 2 lemons
- 3 cloves garlic minced and divided
- pink salt to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup keto mayonnaise can use regular mayo if not keto
Instructions
- Halve the artichokes. Using a tablespoon or other large metal spoon, scrape the fuzzy choke and purple leaves out and carefully shave the tough outer layer of the stem off.
- Lay the artichoke halves on a baking sheet, cut side up. Rub them with a bit of the olive oil and press two cloves of the minced garlic between the leaves.
- Squeeze the juice of both lemons, reserving 1 tablespoon for the sauce, into a bowl (save the lemon rinds) with the rest of the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss the halves in the olive oil/lemon mixture.
- Meanwhile, place the yogurt, mayo, remaining lemon juice and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove to a small bowl and place in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Place a large pot of water on the stove to boil. Once it boils add salt and the lemon rinds. Place the artichoke halves into the pot and boil for 20 minutes. Remove from the water, drain, and place back on the baking sheet.
- Place the artichoke halves on the grill cut side down and grill, basting with the remaining olive oil mixture. Turn artichoke halves every 5 minutes until they begin to char. Remove from the grill.
- Top with the sauce.
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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Unknown
I had never made artichokes before, but this was SO good! Basically like a smokey grilled succulent vehicle for a delicious sauce! 🙂
Rebekah Niemann
I love love love artichokes! I will absolutely try this!
Kim Bee
Girl, this is killing me. Can't wait to try it. I'm a sucker for a good pucker!
Bobbi
Right? I love it! I love lemon on just about anything I can get it on!!