A star ingredient in dips and spring dishes, artichokes have so much to offer. They’re flavorful, healthy, and—when served whole—aesthetically pleasing, too. But they are perishable, so if you’re new to the vegetable, it’s worth learning how to store artichokes so they stay fresh and green for longer. We spoke to a food scientist and a chef to learn the best ways to store artichokes, including whether you can freeze them.

How to Store Artichokes in the Refrigerator

Artichokes like to be kept cool and moist. They do not benefit from being kept at room temperature on a countertop. While most refrigerator storage for produce involves the crisper drawer, that is not the only option for storing fresh artichokes.

In a Jar

If your fresh artichokes have stems, they can be stored like flowers in a jar. Follow these steps provided by Bryan Quoc Le, food scientist and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered:

1. Fill a jar with water.
2. Cut about 1/4 inch off the bottom of the stem.
3. Place the artichoke in the jar, so the cut stem is submerged in water. If you’re storing multiple artichokes, you’ll need a jar for each one.
4. Place in the refrigerator.
5. Change the water every 1 to 2 days.

Note: Tthe cut stem should be completely underwater. This allows the artichoke to absorb water using the same channels it used while it was attached to the plant, helping prolong its shelf life, says Le.

Shelf life: Artichokes will last up to one week when stored this way, according to Le.

Submerged in Water

If your artichokes do not have stems or you don’t want to store them like flowers, one storage option is to completely submerge them for 24 to 48 hours after purchasing them, says Emilie Symons, chef-instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles. Here’s how:

1. Place the artichokes in a large bowl.
2. Fill the bowl with cold water.
3. Place a plate on top of the artichokes to weigh them down.
4. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator.
5. Change the water daily.

Shelf life: “You can keep artichokes this way for at least a week,” says Symons.

In Airtight Bags

Artichokes can also be stored in airtight bags, according to Ocean Mist, the largest grower of artichokes in North America. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a small slice off the bottom of the artichoke.
2. Sprinkle the artichoke with water, especially the cut stem end.
3. Place in an airtight bag.
4. Seal the bag and transfer it to the refrigerator.

Shelf life: When refrigerated in airtight bags, artichokes will last five to seven days.

Can You Freeze Artichokes?

It is possible to freeze artichokes, and this will extend their lifespan even further—but it’s important to blanch them first. “Blanching ensures they stay fresh,” explains Symons. The process also partially cooks the artichokes, which improves their texture upon thawing, she adds. The steps also
differ slightly for whole artichokes vs. artichoke hearts.

Freezing Whole artichokes

The California Artichoke Advisory Board recommends this method:

1. Cut off the stem. Next, cut off the top, about 1 inch.
2. Scoop out the center with a sharp spoon, then create a hole in the base. This will help heat penetrate the artichoke.
3. Sprinkle the artichoke with lemon juice to reduce browning.
4. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
5. Add the artichokes and more lemon juice to the pot.
6. Cook for 20 minutes, making sure the water is just under a boil.
7. Remove the artichokes and place them in a bowl of ice water.
8. Drain, dry, and freeze in freezer-safe bags.

When you’re ready to use frozen artichokes, thaw them in the refrigerator. From there, cook for another 25 minutes, per the California Artichoke Advisory Board.

Shelf life: For optimal quality, use frozen whole artichokes within eight to 12 months.

Artichoke hearts

If you’ve already trimmed your artichokes, you can freeze the hearts. Follow these steps, according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Add the artichoke hearts to the water. Cook for 7 minutes.
3. Drain and let cool.
4. Freeze in freezer-safe bags.

Alternatively, to prevent clumping, you can individually freeze the artichoke hearts on a lined cookie sheet, then transfer them to bags.

Shelf life: Frozen artichoke hearts should be used within eight to 12 months for the best quality.

How to Store Cooked Artichokes

Whether you’re grilling, baking, or steaming artichokes, the vegetable should be stored like any other cooked food: in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Tips to Make Sure Your Artichokes Last Longer

Buy the freshest artichokes you can find: Not only will fresh artichokes offer the best flavor and texture, but they’ll last longer, too, according to Le. When shopping for artichokes, “they should feel dense and very heavy for their size, which indicates high moisture and freshness,” he says. He adds that the leaves should be firm and tightly closed with a vibrant green or purple hue.

Avoid washing before storing: Washing artichokes before storing can encourage mold growth, explains Le. The reason? Artichokes have many small crevices that can hold onto water, potentially contributing to mold. Because of this, it’s best to wash them right before use, he says.

Remove spoiled artichokes: Even with proper storage, artichokes will eventually spoil. Signs of bad artichokes include brown or dark spots and a moldy or sour smell, which indicates microbial growth, says Le. The leaves might also become soft, mushy, overly dry, or slimy, he notes. Remove any spoiled artichokes as soon as possible.