Seared Salmon Topped in Garlic Scape Butter

Salmon lovers, this one’s for you! This quick and easy Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Scape Butter is bursting with fresh flavor and comes together in under 20 minutes. They’re perfect for busy weeknights. It’s one of our all-time favorite garlic scape recipes.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The salmon turns out beautifully tender, thanks to a fast sear and rich garlic scape butter. If you’ve never cooked with garlic scapes before, they’re the curly flower shoots that grow out of hardneck garlic plants. Their mild garlicky flavor is great in all sorts of recipes.

How I Got Hooked on Garlic Scapes

We planted garlic for the first time a few years ago. Last season, I had a bumper crop. One of the best surprises? All the bonus garlic scapes in June. Gardeners clip them to help the bulbs grow bigger, and they happen to be delicious.

That’s when I started experimenting. I made Garlic Scape Pesto, which I used for Chicken Florentine Pesto Pizza, and whipped up a couple pounds of Garlic Scape Butter, which stars in this salmon recipe.

For years, I searched farmers’ markets and came up empty. I’m convinced some farmers don’t realize the scapes are edible. Or maybe they keep every last one. I wouldn’t blame them.

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What you Need

• Salmon Filets: Use skin-on or skinned filets. If you are lucky enough to find salmon steaks, that’s even better, but alas, we can’t find them locally anymore.
• Garlic Scape Butter: The garlic scape butter is made with ground garlic scapes in the food processor and chopped herbs of your choice.
• Salt and Pepper: Season the filets well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

How to Make Them

• Let the filets sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes, so they come closer to room temperature. In a heavy-bottomed cast-iron frying pan, melt the garlic scape butter over medium-high heat.
• Place the filets skin-side down in the pan. Sear for 4-5 minutes.
• Carefully flip the filets with a small spatula. Sear on the second side until it’s golden brown and the internal temperature measures 135°F.
• Let the filet rest for a few minutes.
• If you’d prefer, you can grill the salmon on a hot grill. Melt the butter and baste it on the fish while it is cooking.
• Finish the fish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

How to Store Leftovers

Package leftovers in leftover storage containers or bags. Promptly refrigerate. Use within 3-4 days.

Do not freeze leftovers. While it is technically possible, both the flavor and the texture of the salmon will suffer. Just cook as much as you can consume within 4 days.

Leftover salmon is delicious on a salad. It is perfect for a quick snack board with cheese, crusty bread and fruit.

What to Serve it With

• white asparagus
• grilled asparagus
• brown sugar glazed carrots
• green beans almondine
• steamed rice

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More Garlic Scape Recipes

• Garlic Scape, Lemon Grilled Chicken Tenders
• Garlic Scape Relish
• Potato Garlic Scape Soup
• Garlic Scape Powder
• Garlic Scape Vinaigrette
• Pickled Garlic Scapes
• Garlic Scape Pesto

Want to Grow Your Own Garlic?

Due to my horticulture background, readers frequently ask for help with vegetable gardening. If that’s something you’re curious about, check out my How to Start a Garden series:

1. Planning Your Garden
2. Preparing the Garden Site
3. Choosing Plants + Planting
4. Garden Maintenance
5. Harvesting + Preserving the Harvest — includes over 100 free recipes

This Seared Salmon with Garlic Scape Butter is always a hit in our house. Honestly, no one here would complain if we had salmon every night. Have you ever tried cooking with garlic scapes?

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Please ask any questions or share your comments in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.

I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

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Originally Published May 18, 2018. Updated June 21, 2025.

• Recipe Name: Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Scape Butter
• Type: Main course or entrée
• Main Ingredients: Salmon fillets, garlic scape butter, lemon, black pepper
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Sauce: Garlic scape butter made with chopped scapes and softened butter
• Flavor Profile: Fresh, buttery, mildly garlicky salmon with citrus notes
• Best Sides: Grilled asparagus, white asparagus, glazed carrots, green beans almondine
• Reheat Tips: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid drying out
• Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days; enjoy cold on salads or grain bowls
• Special Features: Uses homemade garlic scape butter; done in under 20 minutes; includes garden-to-table tips