Wondering what you can make with garlic scapes? Try roasting them! Roasted garlic scapes are like biting into a green bean infused with the sweet, mellow flavor of roasted garlic—deliciously tender with a subtle garlicky punch in every bite.
📋 What's New In This Post (7/20/25) - Added tips on how to pick out the best garlic scapes.
✍🏻 Featured Comment - Renee says "This recipe is excellent. Easy and really DELISH. A keeper."
The Ingredient Grocery Stores Rarely Carry—But You Should Try
The farmers market can be a great place of discovery. You’ll often find things there that you never see in grocery stores—ingredients you might never discover unless you visit a market.
One of those hidden gems is the garlic scape. It’s something that shows up regularly at farmers markets but is rarely found in grocery stores. I’ve visited markets all over the country, and anywhere garlic is grown, I’ve seen displays like this in Ohio...
And this in Oregon...
Garlic scapes have definitely caught my attention, and now they’re an ingredient I always make sure to grab during their short season. Let me tell you all about them—what they actually are, and why my favorite way to enjoy them is simply to roast them and eat them like a vegetable.
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What are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the unopened flower from the top of a garlic plant. They are green and tend to curl up. Garlic growers like to remove them from the plants so they can grow larger bulbs.
Only hindneck varieties of garlic grow these scapes - that is what makes them a hindneck variety. This type of garlic doesn't last as long in storage as other types of garlic, so that's the downside. But it's worth it for the tasty scapes they produce.
What Do Roasted Garlic Scapes Taste Like?
How would I describe the experience of eating a garlic scape? It’s like biting into a green bean with a mild garlic flavor—though the intensity can vary depending on the variety. They’re tender enough to enjoy raw, but they really shine when cooked, developing a richer, sweeter flavor and softer texture.
When are They in Season?
The season is very short for them, so get them while you can. They are generally available in June and sometimes in July depending on location. I purchased them before in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Idaho, and Oregon and it was in that time frame in all of those states. About 2 to 3 weeks you start seeing fresh garlic showing up at the markets. That is usually my sign that scapes are done.
Tips for Picking the Best Garlic Scapes
First you need to know that all of the garlic scape is edible. There is no reason to waste any of it. That being said, the smaller the unopened flower part is the more tender the scape is going to be. When I have purchased scopes with larger flowers that still weren't open, the entire scape wasn't not as tender and didn't do as well when I roasted them - are you ready to hear about that?
Tips for Roasting
The best way I think to use them is to simply roast them in the oven. Let me show you how.
How to Chop Garlic Scapes
Before roasting I trim the garlic scapes. I first take off the thin part at the top of the unopened flower. It will just burn in the oven. If they look good save them and use them like chives.
Next I slice the scapes into 2-3 pieces so they fit better on the pan and cook faster.
Using parchment paper on your sheet pan will make clean up that much easier.
I then drizzle some olive oil onto the scapes and roast them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, flipping them half through the cooking.
They are done when soft and caramelized - yummy! From there you can just eat them as you would any veggie as a side dish or you use them as a topping for a homemade pizza - like my Detroit Style Pizza or Grilled Pizza.
Roasted Garlic Scapes
Ingredients
- 1 bunch garlic scapes bunches are usually between 8-12
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut the scapes into 2-3 pieces. I cut off any tips that I consider to be too thin. They will just burn before the rest of the scape is done. I use the tips in other dishes just like one would use chopped garlic.
- Arrange the scapes on a sheet pan lined with a parchment paper.
- Drizzle some olive oil over the scapes, before adding some kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Slide the pan in the oven and roast them until they are tender and just starting to caramelize about 15 minutes. Flip half way through cooking.
Real Raw Honey
OMG. These look SO yummy!!! My mouth is watering 😀
Renee
This recipe is excellent. Easy and really DELISH. A keeper.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks Renee! Glad you liked it!