10 Ways to Use Garlic Scapes (Fresh and Preserved)

Discover 10 easy ways to use garlic scapes, including fresh cooking ideas and simple methods for preserving garlic scapes so none of your harvest goes to waste.

Garlic scapes are one of the first signs that summer is on the way in the garlic patch. These curly green stalks appear for just a short time each year, and if you’ve never cooked with them before, it’s easy to wonder what to do with garlic scapes once they start piling up.

If you grow hardneck garlic, you are in for a treat because the plant provides two harvests. A few weeks before the garlic bulb is ready to harvest, you will have an opportunity to pick garlic scapes. These tender, mildly garlic flavored shoots are delicious.

Harvesting the scapes is an important step that helps the bulbs finish sizing up. But instead of tossing them aside, garlic scapes can be used in all kinds of delicious ways. They have a mild garlic flavor, a tender texture, and work well in both fresh recipes and for preserving for later.

This guide shares 10 easy ways to use garlic scapes, including simple recipes, cooking ideas, and methods for preserving them so none of this seasonal harvest goes to waste. Whether you’re grilling them for a quick side, blending them into pesto, or preserving them for later, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for using garlic scapes here.

What are Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes, also called garlic stems, stalks, shoots, or spears, are the flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic plants in late spring or early summer, before the bulbs mature.

Not all garlic produces scapes. You’ll only see them on hardneck varieties, which are commonly grown in colder climates. Softneck garlic does not produce scapes.

About three weeks before the garlic bulb is ready for harvesting, it sends up a flower stalk. The stalk emerges from the center of the plant, starts out straight, and grows upward for several inches, then curls once or twice before continuing to grow upward.

Although they’re technically the flower stalk, garlic scapes are harvested before the flower fully develops. Removing the scape helps the plant focus its energy on forming a larger garlic bulb underground, which is why harvesting scapes is an important step for anyone growing hardneck garlic.

Because they’re only available for a short window each year, garlic scapes are a highly anticipated and treasured harvest, typically appearing in mid-June in my area. By this time, last year’s stored garlic is often running low, and I’m reluctant to dig up the new bulbs before they reach full size. Garlic scapes bridge that gap, providing fresh flavor and serving as an excellent substitute for garlic in most recipes.

What Do Garlic Scapes Taste Like?

Garlic scapes have a fresh, mild garlic flavor that’s much gentler than mature garlic cloves. The taste is often compared to a cross between garlic and green onions, with a crisp texture when raw and a mellow sweetness when cooked.

Because the flavor isn’t overpowering, garlic scapes are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. They can be used anywhere you want a hint of garlic without the sharp bite, making them especially good for fresh dishes, quick sautés, and simple seasonal recipes.

When and How to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes are usually ready to harvest in late spring to early summer, about a month before the garlic bulbs finish growing. Timing matters because scapes are most tender and flavorful when harvested at the right stage.

When to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Watch for the scape to emerge from the center of the plant, grow straight for a short time, and then begin to curl. The ideal time to harvest is when the scape has made one full curl or spiral, but before it straightens back out or becomes stiff.

At this stage, garlic scapes have a mild flavor and a tenderness almost like asparagus. If left on the plant for too long, the base of the scape becomes fibrous and woody, while the upper portion remains usable.

If you miss the perfect window, simply trim off the tough base before cooking. I often save those woody ends for the freezer and add them to soup or stock for extra flavor.

How to Harvest Garlic Scapes

When you are ready to harvest, wait for a nice dry afternoon so the cut stems heal up quickly. Then just cut the stems at the point where they meet the top leaf of the plant. I like to use pruning shears because they leave a clean cut.

Once harvested, garlic scapes should be used or preserved fairly soon, as they don’t store for long when fresh.

How to Store Fresh Garlic Scapes

Fresh garlic scapes don’t last as long as mature garlic bulbs, so proper storage helps keep them crisp and usable while you decide how to cook or preserve them.

For short-term storage, keep garlic scapes in the refrigerator:

• Trim off any dry or damaged ends.
• Place scapes in a loosely closed plastic bag or reusable produce bag.
• Store in the crisper drawer.

Stored this way, garlic scapes will keep for 1 to 2 weeks, though they’re best used as soon as possible while still tender.

If the scapes start to feel limp, they’re still fine to use in cooked dishes, pesto, or preservation recipes.

How to Use Garlic Scapes in Cooking

Garlic scapes can be used raw or cooked, depending on the dish:

• Raw: Finely chop scapes for salads, dips, compound butter, or pesto.
• Sautéed or stir-fried: Slice into short pieces and cook until tender.
• Grilled or roasted: Whole or cut scapes soften beautifully and develop a slightly sweet flavor.
• Blended: Add to sauces, spreads, and pestos in place of garlic cloves.

The entire scape is edible, though the thicker base may benefit from chopping or cooking, especially if the scape was harvested a bit late.

Once you get comfortable using garlic scapes, they quickly become one of those seasonal ingredients you look forward to every year, especially since they’re only available for a short time.

10 Ways to Use Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes are incredibly versatile, and you don’t need complicated recipes to enjoy them. Whether you want to cook them fresh or preserve them for later, there are plenty of simple ways to use this seasonal harvest.

Below are delicious ways to use garlic scapes, starting with quick, fresh garlic scape recipes, and moving into longer-term preservation ideas.

Fresh Ways to Use Garlic Scapes

These ideas are perfect for enjoying garlic scapes while they’re tender and at their peak.

1. Grilled Garlic Scapes

Grilled garlic scapes are easy to make. Simply, toss garlic scapes with olive oil and grill until tender and lightly charred. Enjoy as a side dish or a flavorful topping for grilled meats and vegetables.

2. Garlic Scape Lemon Balm Pesto

This garlic scape and lemon balm pesto recipe is a slight twist from regular pesto. It combines garlic scapes with lemon balm instead of basil for an early garden fresh variation. Blend garlic scapes with herbs, oil, and nuts to make a bright, seasonal pesto. Use it on pasta, eggs, sandwiches, or roasted vegetables.

3. Sautéed Garlic Scapes

Slice garlic scapes into short pieces and sauté them in olive oil or butter over medium heat until tender, about 5–7 minutes. Season simply with salt and pepper. Sautéed garlic scapes are great as a side dish or mixed into eggs, pasta, or grain bowls.

4. Garlic Scape Butter

Finely chop garlic scapes and mix them into softened butter along with a pinch of salt. Roll into a log or store in a small container in the refrigerator. Garlic scape butter melts beautifully over vegetables, fish, or fresh bread.

5. Garlic Scapes in Everyday Meals

Add chopped garlic scapes to scrambled eggs, omelets, soups, pasta dishes, or rice for a mild garlic flavor that won’t overpower the dish.

Preserving Garlic Scapes

If you harvest more garlic scapes than you can use right away, preserving them is an easy way to extend the season.

6. Pickled Garlic Scapes

Pickled garlic scapes can be preserved in shelf stable jars using a water bath canner or stored in the fridge for up to 2 months. The stems stay slightly crisp and crunchy and are delicious as a snack, sandwich topping, on a charcuterie board, or as a side dish with grilled meats.

7. Freezing Garlic Scapes

One of the easiest ways to preserve garlic scapes is to freeze them. I like to chop the scapes into about 1-inch pieces, then pack them into a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

Frozen garlic scapes are easy to grab by the handful and add directly to soups, stews, stir-fries, roasted vegetables, or any dish where you’d normally use garlic. They hold up very well to freezing, staying firm rather than mushy, and can be chopped or minced smaller straight from the freezer as needed.

8. Freezing Garlic Scape Pesto

Garlic scapes make a flavorful, freezer-friendly pesto that’s easy to enjoy all year long. Blend about 1 cup chopped garlic scapes, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup walnuts or pine nuts, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor. Process until smooth.

Spoon the pesto into a freezer bag, press out as much air as possible, and freeze it flat for easy storage. Once thawed, garlic scape pesto can be used as a dip, pizza topping, sandwich spread, or tossed with freshly cooked pasta.

9. Dehydrating Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes can be easily preserved by dehydrating them. Once dried, they can be rehydrated in soups and stews or ground into a mild green garlic powder to use like dried garlic or onion powder.

To dehydrate garlic scapes, rinse them under clean, running water, then let them air-dry on a kitchen towel. Chop the scapes into evenly sized pieces and spread them in a single layer on dehydrator trays. Dry at 125°F (52°C) until completely crisp, about 8–10 hours, depending on piece size. Let cool, then store in an airtight container.

For garlic scape powder, grind the dried pieces in a blender, spice grinder, or coffee grinder. Sift out any larger bits and store the powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place.

10. Garlic Scape Vinegar

Infusing vinegar with garlic scapes is an easy way to capture their mild garlic flavor for salad dressings, marinades, and everyday cooking. Vinegar’s natural acidity makes it a safer choice for infusions, and refrigerating it adds an extra layer of protection.

To make garlic scape vinegar, wash the scapes and let them dry completely. Chop into a 1-inch pieces and place them in a clean glass jar. Cover with a vinegar that’s at least 5% acidity, such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Seal and refrigerate for 1 to 2 weeks, shaking the jar occasionally.

Once the flavor is to your liking, strain out the scapes and return the vinegar to a clean jar. Store the finished garlic scape vinegar in the refrigerator and use it within several months for the best flavor.

Making the Most of Garlic Scape Season

Garlic scapes may only be available for a short time each year, but they offer plenty of ways to add fresh garlic flavor to your cooking. Whether you enjoy them right away in simple meals or preserve them for later use, scapes are one of the rewards of growing hardneck garlic.

By learning how to cook, store, and preserve garlic scapes, you can make the most of this seasonal harvest instead of letting it go to waste. Once you get used to working with them, garlic scapes quickly become something to look forward to each growing season.

Related Garlic Growing Guides:

Garlic scapes are just one part of the garlic growing season. If you’re interested in growing, harvesting, or preserving more of your garlic crop, these guides will help you make the most of it from planting to storage:

• How to Grow Garlic: Tips for Growing Great Garlic: A complete guide covering planting, care, harvesting, and storage for homegrown garlic.
• How to Plant Garlic in the Fall: Step-by-step instructions for fall planting to grow large, long-storing garlic bulbs.
• How to Plant Garlic in Spring: Learn what to expect from spring-planted garlic and how to grow green garlic and small bulbs.
• Planting Sprouted Garlic: Tips for using sprouted garlic from storage and growing it in the garden or containers.
• How to Harvest, Cure, and Store Garlic: Everything you need to know about harvesting garlic at the right time and preparing it for long-term storage.

These guides work together to help you grow garlic successfully through every stage of the season.

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Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years, you will benefit from some planning each year. You will find everything you need to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook, Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden.