These sauteed garlic scapes make a fast and easy condiment for enjoying this unique part of the garlic plant. Use them to top eggs, tacos, chili, nachos, grilled meats, and more!
Garlic scapes are one of those fresh culinary ingredients everyone wants to get their hands on in early summer. Luckily, if you're growing garlic in your garden (the hardneck variety, at least), you already have a source, as they grow as a curly offshoot from the tops of garlic plants.
The best part is that you can harvest the garlic scapes without harming the garlic bulb. In fact, doing so encourages the bulb to keep growing. They're basically an added bonus to growing garlic.
If you don't have a garden, scapes are often available for a few weeks at farmers markets and food co-ops, so be on the lookout. But they're not around for long.
If you're looking for more detailed info about scapes and other uses for them, check out my how to use garlic scapes post.
I consider garlic scapes to be the garlicky equivalent of a scallion. Just as scallions provide a fresh and less pungent onion flavor, scapes can play a similar role but for garlic. And similarly, there are many ways to use them.
One of the easiest methods is to sauté chopped garlic scapes, add a bit of flavor with soy sauce and vinegar, and use them as a flavor-packed condiment topping.
You'll love this approach for sautéed garlic scapes because:
- they cook in just 5 minutes
- you get plenty of fresh garlic flavor that won't overpower
- there are limitless places to use them
If you need a few ideas on where you could use these sautéed garlic scapes, try them on my Broccoli and Stilton Quiche, Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup, Seafood Newburg Soup, or maybe this Orange Tempeh and Asparagus. There are so many dishes where they would add an extra punch of flavor.
🧄Ingredients
Combining the chopped and sautéed garlic scapes with a few additional ingredients transforms them into a delicious garlicky topping with hints of umami and vinegar.
You'll need:
- garlic scapes
- olive oil
- soy sauce
- rice wine vinegar
- toasted sesame oil
Note: Toasted sesame oil may be overpowering for some folks. If that's you, feel free to leave it out. The scapes will be just as good.
See the recipe card below for the quantities.
🔪Instructions
You're just minutes away from enjoying garlic scape goodness on your favorite foods.
Start by chopping your clean garlic scapes into small pieces.
Heat a pan with olive oil. Add the scapes. Cook on low for 5 minutes, stirring often.
Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Then pour into the pan with the scapes and toss together.
Use the sauteed garlic scapes as a topping to a variety of dishes, such as scrambled eggs.
Tip: All of the garlic scape is edible, so don't be afraid to use the whole thing. The only thing is that sometimes older scapes can get a bit tough and woody on the ends. If that seems to be the case, just cut off that portion and discard.
🌶Variations
- Skip the chopping and sauté the garlic scapes whole. Then use them on burgers or sandwiches.
- Make it spicy by stirring in some of your favorite chili paste, oil, or hot sauce.
- Leave out the toasted sesame oil if you find the flavor overwhelming.
🥡Storage
You can store garlic scapes fresh in the fridge for several weeks. However, after cooking these sauteed scapes, they'll last up to four days in the refrigerator. Use them on any dish of your choosing.
💭FAQ
You can eat all of the garlic scape, including the long pointy tip. But if your scapes are older, they may have tough ends to them. Just trim these off.
Garlic scapes will soften just a little, but not much. They retain their shape and a little crunch.
You can eat garlic scapes both raw and cooked, so it's a matter of personal preference. One great way to use them raw is pureed in a pesto. Here's a recipe for making garlic scape pesto.
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