Artichokes are among the most popular vegetables to serve as an appetizer or as part of an antipasto spread.
They’re also great as side dishes, served alongside meals. However, due to their unique flavor and texture, they can be difficult to pair with other ingredients.
Several side dishes are complementary to artichokes. These are what to serve with artichokes.
The recipes will provide the best options to serve alongside this versatile vegetable. Your meals won’t become dull anytime soon!
What are Artichokes?
Artichokes are a type of thistle that grows in the wild. They have tough outer skin peeled off before eating the fleshy heart.
Artichokes originated from the Mediterranean and can be eaten raw, boiled, or fried.
The artichoke has been cultivated for over 5,000 years and has served as an important food crop throughout history.
What to Serve With Artichokes?
Here is a list of what to serve with artichokes.
1. Roasted Garlic Aioli
Aioli is a versatile sauce that pairs well with artichokes. If you are wondering what to serve with artichokes, then roasted garlic aioli is one option.
To make this, Mix mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender until it’s an even consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over steamed artichoke leaves for the perfect pairing.
Also, dip bread into the aioli before dipping it into the artichoke heart dip below. You can also serve it as a dipping sauce for French fries and onion rings.
2. Turkey
Turkey makes a great side dish for artichokes. Cut up some green onions and celery stalks into small pieces, add a little olive oil and salt, then pour in some white wine.
Finally, cook until the vegetables are browned. Add the turkey pieces, then cook until the meat is done. This dish will taste great with artichoke hearts as the main course.
3. Bruschetta Arugula Salad
This easy side dish is delicious and can be made in minutes. All you need to do is chop up some arugula, tomatoes, garlic, and basil, mix it with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, toast some bread, and top the bruschetta with the salad.
Start by chopping up the arugula, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Mix them in a bowl with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
Toast bread slices if desired (we used a baguette). Then, top each slice of toast with the salad mixture. Enjoy! What to serve with artichokes comes with great taste.
4. Feta Cheese Bites
The best part about this recipe is that it can be served as a side dish or appetizer. It’s perfect for those get-togethers when you need something quick and delicious. What I like most about these bites is that they are easy to assemble.
You start by mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl, forming them into balls, placing them on a baking sheet, and baking until golden brown on the outside. The feta cheese adds a salty flavor, while the garlic gives it an extra kick.
Since artichokes can fill, these bites are perfect for dipping into sauces like tzatziki or hummus.
Since they are also gluten-free, they can be enjoyed by anyone who needs or prefers gluten-free options.
5. Beef
A good old-fashioned beef stew is the most well-known dish to serve with artichokes. This hearty dish can be made in an oven, crock pot, or stovetop. Beef is also delicious when mixed with mashed potatoes and pan-fried veggies.
6. Cheesy Pizza
This pizza is so good. It’s my go-to when I’m hungry, but I don’t want to overdo it for dinner. Plus, you can use any toppings that you like! I usually add spinach, tomatoes, and sometimes pepperoni for more spice.
All you need for the crust is a package of pre-made pizza dough (or make your own), some cheese, and a pizza pan. Get out your pre-made dough or make your own by following the directions on the package.
7. Hollandaise Sauce
If you want to serve with artichokes, hollandaise is the way. Here’s how to make it: Melt butter and add lemon juice, egg yolks, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Bring the mixture slowly up in temperature while constantly stirring until it thickens (about 5 minutes). Then pour in clarified butter (don’t let it get too hot) while stirring constantly.
8. Pork Tenderloin
This show-stopping pork tenderloin is the perfect main dish for roast or steamed artichoke. You can also serve it with sautéed spinach, roasted potatoes, quinoa salad, pasta in red sauce, and corn on the cob.
To start, cut pork tenderloin into pieces. Place the pork in an oven-safe dish, and then pour over soy sauce, honey, dry sherry or dry white wine (I used dry white wine), minced garlic, and fresh ginger root paste.
Finally, bake uncovered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until cooked through (about 15-20 minutes). This show-stopping pork tenderloin is the perfect main dish for roast or steamed artichoke.
9. Tomato Spinach Sausage Pasta
A favorite dish to serve as a side for artichokes is tomato, spinach, and sausage pasta. The tangy tomato sauce pairs well with the buttery artichoke hearts. This recipe is also super easy and can be made in about 30 minutes.
You’ll need olive oil, chopped onion, minced cloves of garlic, fresh spinach, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper, Italian sausage removed from casing (optional), and pasta noodles (cooked al dente).
Add the olive oil and chopped onion to a large pan over medium heat. Saute until tender, and then add the minced garlic to finish cooking it.
1o. Asparagus Soup
If you are unsure what to serve with artichokes, do not worry. Asparagus soup is surprisingly easy and can be made vegetarian using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
It’s flavorful and has a lot going on. It tastes like artichokes but is also sweet because of the carrots.
Asparagus is also high in iron and vitamin C, so you get all these nutrients from the soup! To make this, you will need olive oil or butter for sautéing onions and garlic, chopped carrots (about three large carrots), fresh asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces (or packages of frozen asparagus), chicken or vegetable stock or chicken broth
11. Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips are next on our list of what to serve with artichokes. A crunchy and satisfying side dish for your artichokes is important because the leaves are so delicious!
Tortilla chips can be served warm or cold, making them the perfect accompaniment for all seasons. They also taste different from other chips, such as corn or potato chips.
This isn’t strictly a side for artichokes. But it’s a great complement if you serve dips like salsa or guacamole. And it’s nice when you want something slightly less heavy than potatoes.
Interestingly, one of the best parts about serving these chips is that they don’t need extra work done before serving.
You need to provide some salsa on the side, maybe some salt and pepper, and then dig in!
12. Chicken
The best side dish for artichoke is a classic chicken dish. Make a simple pan sauce with butter, white wine, and lemon juice.
First, cook chicken in the skillet until browned on both sides. Add garlic, asparagus, and fresh thyme.
Finally, add artichokes last so they don’t get too mushy. Finish with salt and pepper to taste. This dish pairs well with rice or pasta for a filling meal that won’t leave you feeling heavy or bloated after eating it!
13. Sriracha Mayo Dip
Sriracha mayo dip is another option for serving artichokes. When prepared well, it tastes yummy.
Mix the mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined. Then, add the sour cream and stir until it is well incorporated into the mayo mixture.
Finally, add the parsley and stir until it is mixed in. Serve your dip in a serving dish or on a small plate.
Remember to refrigerate any leftovers within two hours of preparation. Otherwise, you risk compromising its flavor and safety.
14. Grilled Cod
Grilling fish is a great way to infuse the food with flavor without heavily seasoning it.
Season both sides of the cod lightly with salt and pepper, then place the skin side on the grill. Cook for about three minutes until you see some nice grill marks form.
Then, flip the fish over and cook for three more minutes or until the flesh is white throughout. The cooking time will vary depending on how thick your fillet is.
Artichoke sauce complements this dish nicely. To make this, combine lemon juice, mayonnaise, artichoke hearts (canned), dill (fresh or dried), sour cream, and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor.
15. Goose
Artichoke season is in full swing and is the perfect opportunity to try this tasty vegetable. It can be eaten whole, but it’s more common for people to enjoy the heart.
When you prepare an artichoke, you must remove all of the tough leaves on the exterior. This is done by running a sharp knife across them before pulling them off individually.
Once you’re down to just the tender leaves on top, remove the choke from inside and discard it. The heart should now be fully exposed and ready for eating!
A popular way to enjoy artichokes is to dip them in a simple lemon vinaigrette or mayonnaise-based sauce. We recommend serving those sauces alongside your delicious artichoke dish.
