How to Store Garlic Scapes (Plus 16 Free Recipes)

Learn how to store garlic scapes fresh, freeze them, where to source them and find lots of great recipes to use them too.

Garlic scapes have such a short season that it is nice to be able to preserve them when they emerge to be able to use them throughout the year.

We love garlic scapes around here but their season is incredibly short. Just a few weeks in the summer can they be found in your garden or at the farmers market.

Why not preserve them so that they can be enjoyed all year long until that two week period they are available next year? They are incredibly easy to preserve by a number of different techniques.

Stayed tuned at the end of the article for lots of recipes that you can use these garlic scapes in.

What the heck are garlic scapes?

Garlic scapes are the flower bud and the stalk or stem of bud (botanically known as the peduncle) of hardneck garlic plants. 

Since the portion of the garlic that we are seeking when we grow them is the garlic bulb, the flowers are removed. This way the plant doesn’t put it’s energy into seed production (from the flower) but instead, concentrates energy on the bulb itself.

The mild garlic flavor that scapes have is perfect for adding to so many dishes.

When to plant garlic

Garlic is generally planted in the fall when temperatures begin to cool. September or October (zones 5-7) is perfect.

In zones 1-4 plant bulbs in late October or November.

To grow garlic in zones 8-9 the bulbs need to be stored in the refrigerator for at least 8 weeks (a process called vernalization). Then the bulbs can be planted in November or December.

The bulb will grow throughout the winter and spring. The scapes usually appear about 6 weeks before the bulb is ready to harvest.

When to harvest the scapes

This flower from the garlic is produced mid June to mid July in the northern regions. As soon as you the scapes first curl, cut or break them off.

How to store garlic scapes

Refrigeration

Garlic scapes refrigerate well. They will last a minimum of 4 weeks refrigerated so save a bunch of them out for immediate use. If the tips of either end dries out or becomes discolored, cut it off with a sharp knife.

• Store them unwashed in a plastic bag, whole.
• Add a damp piece of paper towel to bag. Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

An alternative would be to make a fresh cut on the cut end of the scape. Place the scapes in a jar of water and then place the jar in the refrigerator. Change the water daily. I find that the tips of the buds dry out with this method though. This method will only preserve them for about 2 weeks.

Freezing

The best way to preserve them for long term storage is to freeze them. They freeze well in many forms. Make sure that the garlic scapes are clean and any debris and dirt is removed.

Freeze them raw. Wash and dry the scapes. Process them in the food processor (or chop by hand) until they are fine chunks. Add to freezer bags. Flatten bags with hands or a rolling pin. Store flat in the freezer for about one year. Remove a chunk of frozen garlic any time you want to use them in a recipe.

Freeze them in the form of pesto. Just make the garlic scape pesto. Place in bags and flatten and freeze as the raw scapes above. You can also freeze them in cupcake tins. Spray tin first with no stick spray to make them easier to remove, then push pesto in the cups to fill holes.

Freeze them into compound butter. Make garlic scape butter and freeze as described in the raw and pesto above. Use this to flavor grilled meats or on biscuits or rolls.

Preserving

Make pickled garlic scapes with vinegar, salt and spices which will last at least a year. Great on charcuterie boards or grazing platters. Top a burger. Just eat them as you would a pickle. They are garlicky perfection.

Or try this relish. Yum. This is on my list of must dos.

Pickled Garlic Scapes

Pickled Garlic Scapes are so easy! They can be canned in waterbath or just cold pack can them! So no messing with the canning pot and the heat in the kitchen! They are great on sandwiches, burgers and salads or use them on your next charcuterie board!

Make This

Fermented Garlic Scapes

Fermented garlic scapes are a quick, healthy, and easy way to preserve this fleeting, delicious crop.

Make This

Dill-icious Garlic Scape Relish

Garlic Scape Relish is made with fresh early summer garden grown garlic scapes. With just the right amount of vinegar and a touch of dill, it’s perfect on hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and mixed into macaroni salad.

Make This

Where to find them

If you aren’t growing garlic in your garden then you can occasionally find them at farmer’s markets, farm stands and at your local Asian food suppliers. Look for them from March to the beginning of July, depending on where you live.

Recipes for fresh garlic scapes

There are lots of delicious ways to enjoy fresh scapes too. Here is a great list of original recipes for your enjoyment.

Use them in a stir fry, fried rice, stews, to compliment pasta, or add to homemade hummus

Grilling and frying

Grilling them yields a texture similar to grilled asparagus. They get crispy on the outside and are soft and tender on the inside. Serve as a side with your main dish.

Stir Fried Garlic Scapes

Try this simple recipe for stir fried garlic scapes! These are thin, curly, green stems that grow from garlic bulbs and taste delicious sauteed with a sweet & savory Asian sauce!

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Grilled Garlic Steaks

Curly garlic scapes are a staple of summer farmer’s markets. This simple recipe for grilled garlic scapes is a quick way to enjoy this unusual vegetable. You can throw these on the grill and have mildly garlic spears to serve with your grilled dinner in just 10 minutes.

Make This

Garlic Scapes – Air fried, Grilled and Roasted

It’s Garlic Scapes Season (also called Garlic Spears) here in the Northwest! My favorite time of year! Even my youngest son gets excited. I brought home 3 bunches today! They are available only a few weeks out of the year.

Make This

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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Sauces and Condiments

Garlic Scape Herb Compound Butter

This Garlic Scape Herb Compound Butter is easy with a beautifully mild garlic flavor!

Make This

Garlic Scape Pesto

Easy, healthy topping for pastas, veges and bruschetta. Made fresh at home!

Make This

Garlic Scape Pesto with Chard

Garlic Scape Pesto with Chard is a delicious combination of ingredients, without the too-garlicky flavor that garlic scape pesto can sometimes have!

Make This

Breakfast/ Brunch

Summer Quiche with Garlic Scapes and Ham

This summer quiche recipe is perfect for the lazy days of summer. If you’re looking for a clean quiche recipe, try this one today.

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Spinach Frittata with Garlic Scapes

This Spinach Frittata with garlic scapes is a tasty vegetable frittata that works well for breakfast, brunch or dinner. The addition of garlic scapes adds a subtle garlic flavor to the recipe.

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Main Dishes

Garlic Scape, Lemon Grilled Chicken Tenders

This Garlic Scape, Lemon Grilled Chicken Tenders can be on the table in 15 minutes!! 

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Pork Chops with Garlic Scapes and Peaches

This recipe for marinated Grilled Pork Chops with Garlic Scapes and Brown Butter & Rosemary Peaches is amazing! It tastes like springtime on a plate, with so many bold and bright flavors. As a bonus, this dish is Whole30, Paleo, and Gluten Free!

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Beer Steamed Mussels with Garlic Scapes

These beer steamed mussels tossed with garlic scapes and lemon make a great appetizer or light meal, and are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Enjoy them at home on the deck, gathered around a campfire, or cooked up right at the beach!

Make This

Soups

Potato Garlic Scape Soup

This is the BEST ever garlic scape soup! It’s incredibly fresh and loaded with flavor, but only has a handful of simple ingredients. If you’re not cooking with garlic scapes yet, it’s time to give them a try in this vegetarian soup!

Make This

Hopefully this article has given you some ideas on how to store garlic scapes. Get some today and use this short-lived addition to your summer recipes. If you are a garlic fan, you’ll love them

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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

How to Store Garlic Scapes

Bag of garlic scape butter with rolling pin.

See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Author: Beth Neels

Cost: $3

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 bunch garlic scapes

Instructions

Refrigeration

• Store fresh, unwashed garlic scapes in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for 2-4 weeks.
  1 bunch garlic scapes

Freezing

• Process the scapes in the food processor until fine. Place in plastic freezer bags. Flatten bag out with your hand or with a rolling pin. Freeze flat.
• Scapes can also sliced the by hand and frozen.
• Break of a chunk any time you need some to add to your favorite recipes.

Canning

• Pickle garlic scapes as explained in this article. Use them for charcuterie or grazing platters, Eat them as you would a regular pickle.

Food Processor

For freezing; freezer bags

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Notes

There are many ways to use garlic scapes fresh, as well. See article for recipes.

Use fresh scapes for best flavor. 

Freezing whole garlic scapes produces a mushy texture. If you choose to freeze them whole, use them in a recipe that the texture is not an issue.

Frozen garlic scapes in any form are best within 6 months but will last a year in the form of pesto and butter, if they are packed with all of the air removed from the bag.

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