11 Best Recipes for Garlic Scapes
By Amanda Paa – Updated June 24, 2024
Garlic scapes are the curly, twirly, green flower stalks that emerge from the tops of garlic plants as they grow. They're as fun to look at as they are to eat! Garlic scapes have a mild and subtle garlic flavor, softer than the bite you'd find in raw garlic cloves. You'll find them at farmer's markets or maybe your CSA box in early Summer. These top 10 recipes will provide you with incredibly delicious ways to eat garlic scapes, from pasta to pesto, biscuits, and stir-fry!
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What are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the curly, twirly, green flower stalks that emerge from the tops of garlic plants as they grow. They can be eaten cooked or raw, and they’re as fun to look at as they are to eat! Garlic scapes have a mild and subtle garlic flavor, softer than the bite you’d find in raw garlic cloves. This makes them exceptionally versatile anywhere in cooking where you would normally use garlic.
Farmers and gardeners often remove the scapes to redirect the plant’s energy into bulb development. Harvesting garlic scapes not only encourages larger garlic bulbs but also provides a delicious and nutritious ingredient. Scapes are usually harvested when they are young and tender, before they become too fibrous or woody.
What to look for when buying garlic scapes:
You probably won’t find garlic scapes in a grocery store because of their hyper seasonality. Instead you’ll find them at farmer’s markets or your CSA from May to early July, depending on where you live. Look for garlic scapes that are firm and vibrant green, without any signs of wilting or browning. They will keep well in your refrigerator in a loose bag for at least a week.
Easy Ways to Use Garlic Scapes in Cooking:
Note: You can eat the slim green stalk and the bud-like structure of garlic scapes!
- Cooked: Garlic scapes can be sautéed, stir-fried, or grilled, much like asparagus or green beans. They can be used as a flavorful addition to stir-fries, pasta dishes, omelets, and soups.
- Pesto: Garlic scape pesto is a popular way to utilize this ingredient. It is made by blending garlic scapes with herbs, nuts (such as pine nuts or almonds), Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice. The resulting pesto can be used as a spread, sauce, or dressing.
- Garnish: The vibrant green color and unique shape of garlic scapes make them a visually appealing garnish for various dishes. They can be finely chopped and sprinkled over lettuce salads, roasted vegetables, or grilled rotisserie chicken.
10 Delicious Recipes for Garlic Scapes
1
Stir Fried Garlic Scapes
The mellow garlic flavor of garlic scapes pairs great with the sweet and savory Asian sauce. I love serving this as a side dish and having it alongside freshly steamed rice.
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2
Basil and Garlic Scape Pesto (with cashews)
This easy-to-make Garlic Scape Pesto is full of spicy, garlicky, herby flavor making for an absolutely delicious spread. This recipe uses with both garlic scapes and basil for balance and is brightened by fresh lemon juice. Instead of using pine nuts, it's made with cashews to make it more affordable.
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3
Creamy Garlic Scape Dip
This lemony labneh and garlic scape dip is a wonderfully simple appetizer for warm weather gatherings. Creamy labneh, blended with sautéed garlic scapes, fresh mint leaves, and lemon zest, makes for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dip.
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4
Grilled Garlic Scapes and Summer Squash
Garlic scapes taste like garlicky scallions and they're absolutely delicious when tossed in olive oil and grilled with zucchini and summer squash. This simple vegetarian side dish is a great addition to any weeknight meal!
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5
Garlic Scape Pasta
This quick, vibrant, comforting garlic scape pasta highlights a seasonal favorite with ease. Equally great for a weeknight or dinner party. Ready in 20 minutes!
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6
Garlic Scape Compound Butter
Use this flavorful garlic scape compound butter many different ways: serve over grilled steaks, butter sauces, and garlic bread. So easy to make!
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7
Roasted Garlic Scape and Cherry Tomato Pasta
Roasting the scapes with tomatoes and red onion sweetens the alliums’ heat and enriches their flavor; toss with pasta, lemon juice, and arugula for a simple summer meal.
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8
Sausage and Garlic Scape Risotto
Garlic scapes have a great, mellow, garlic flavor when they are sautéed as in this risotto with garlic scapes and sausage. A great weeknight dinner.
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9
Garlic Scape Biscuits
Cheddar Biscuits is a garlic scapes recipe you are going to love! No need for a box mix. You can make flaky, soft & delicious biscuits every single time from scratch with great garlic flavor.
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10
Garlic Scape Salad Dressing
A creamy, flavorful homemade dressing made with garlic scapes. Goes great with cobb salad!
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11
Charred Garlic Scapes with Parsley Butter
Perfectly charred garlic scapes smothered in homemade parsley butter make a delicious summer side dish! If you’re new to cooking with scapes, this simple recipe makes it easy to experiment with them.
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Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds of zucchini & summer squash, ideally 5-6 inches in length and skinny
- 2 small bunches of garlic scapes
- 3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- sea salt & pepper
- fresh lemon juice
- fresh parmesan
Instructions
- Slice off the tops and bottoms of the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise, then cut them in half lengthwise again. They should look like pickle spears. Place them all in a large bowl and coat with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few cracks of pepper.
- Put the zucchini & squash in a grill basket.
- Wash and dry the scapes. Break off the harder, woody ends that don’t have the bulb. Using your hands, coat garlic scapes in olive oil and 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper.
- Prepare your grill to medium high to heat. Toss scapes directly on the grill and put the grill basket with zucchini on next to them. Turn both sets of vegetables a few times, and remove them when they’re soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, a lighter shade of green and golden brown in parts. You want to see a nice char, this means flavor!
- Remove from grill and finish with a big squeeze of fresh lemon over all the vegetables, and lightly toss. Finish with freshly grated parmesan if desired. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
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June 7, 2023
