If you’ve never grown garlic, you should definitely put it on your to-do list. Not only is it one of the easiest things to grow, but there is nothing quite like the taste of homegrown garlic.

Fresh garlic has an incredible crisp texture—almost like cutting into an apple—and the flavor is absolutely delicious.

One of the best surprises of growing hardneck garlic is that you get more than just beautiful bulbs.

Before harvest, each plant sends up a curly green stem called a garlic scape, and those tender, mild garlic shoots make one of my favorite homemade pestos.

Why You’ll Love This

Garlic scape pesto has a completely different personality than traditional basil pesto.

I’m honestly not a huge fan of basil pesto because it can be a little too strong unless I mix it with other greens. But garlic scape pesto is marvelous all on its own.

Roasting the scapes first gives them a rich, slightly smoky flavor that makes this pesto incredibly savory while still tasting fresh.

It’s simple to make, freezes beautifully, and can be used in countless recipes.

What Are Garlic Scapes?

If you’ve never heard of garlic scapes, I hadn’t either until my friends Chuck and Michelle introduced me to growing these bulbous beauties.

Garlic scapes are the curly green stems that grow from hardneck garlic before the plant blooms. They’re tender, twist into fun circles, and have a fresh, mild garlic flavor without the sharp bite of raw garlic cloves.

Besides making amazing pesto, garlic scapes are delicious:

Sautéed in olive oil
Tossed into stir-fries
Mixed with tomatoes and pasta
Added to soups
Grilled as a simple side dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

This pesto comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients:

2 cups garlic scapes
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about ½ lemon)
⅔ cup walnuts
1½ cups Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For grilling the scapes:

1–2 tablespoons olive oil
Generous salt and pepper

One tip I learned from my friend Michelle completely changed this recipe. Toss the scapes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill them until they develop a little char.

That extra step adds so much depth of flavor.

How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto

Heat your grill to 350°F.

Toss the garlic scapes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill them for about 5 to 8 minutes until lightly charred.

Roughly chop the grilled scapes and add them to a food processor along with the walnuts, Romano cheese, and lemon juice.

Pulse everything together while slowly drizzling in the olive oil. Continue blending until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. If needed, add a little extra olive oil or just a splash of water.

Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the pesto into small jars and refrigerate.

[IMAGE: blended garlic scape pesto in the food processor with jars being filled]

Tips for the Best Results

Grill the scapes before blending for the richest flavor.
Don’t over-process if you like a little texture in your pesto.
Use good quality Romano cheese for the boldest flavor.
Add olive oil gradually so you can control the consistency.
This recipe makes about three small jars.

My Favorite Ways to Use Garlic Scape Pesto

This is where the fun really begins.

One of my favorite recipes is a simple pasta sauce. I sauté cherry tomatoes with a little onion, then stir in oregano, a generous spoonful of garlic scape pesto, and a splash of pasta water. I finish it with a big handful of fresh basil and let everything simmer until the tomatoes soften and the onions are tender.

Serve it over hearty cavatelli or gnocchi and you’ll be in garlic scape heaven.

It’s also wonderful:

Spread on crusty Italian bread
Layered into Caprese sandwiches
Tossed with roasted vegetables
Stirred into warm pasta
Served as a dip with fresh bread

Harvest Tip for Garlic Growers

Garlic scapes aren’t just delicious—they’re also nature’s signal that your garlic bulbs are almost ready.

When harvesting scapes, leave one on the plant. Once that remaining scape straightens from its curly shape and points upward, it’s time to dig up those beautiful garlic bulbs. Then the fun really begins.

More Garden-Fresh Recipes to Try

If you love cooking with fresh ingredients from the garden, here are a few more recipes that celebrate the flavors of the season. They pair beautifully with garlic scape pesto or make great additions to a summer meal.

Basil Arugula Pesto – If you enjoy this garlic scape version, try another fresh homemade pesto made with basil and peppery arugula. https://www.sipandsavortheseasons.com/basil-arugula-pesto/
Tomato Ricotta Galette – Garlic scape pesto would be incredible spread beneath the ricotta in this savory summer tart. https://www.sipandsavortheseasons.com/tomato-ricotta-galette/
Garden Cucumber Bites – A light, refreshing appetizer that’s perfect alongside pesto pasta or served at a summer gathering. https://www.sipandsavortheseasons.com/garden-cucumber-bites/
Garden Fresh Salsa – Another delicious way to enjoy the abundance of your summer garden. https://www.sipandsavortheseasons.com/garden-fresh-salsa/
Edamame Dip – Looking for another make-ahead spread? This creamy dip is another favorite for entertaining. https://www.sipandsavortheseasons.com/edamame-dip/
Pesto Pizza Bites – A fun appetizer that’s perfect for using a spoonful of homemade garlic scape pesto in place of traditional basil pesto. https://www.sipandsavortheseasons.com/pesto-pizza-bites/

Final Thoughts

I love gardening, but even if growing garlic isn’t your thing, don’t miss out on garlic scape season. Visit your local farmers market in late spring or early summer and keep an eye out because the season is short.

This pesto freezes beautifully, so making a few extra jars lets you enjoy that fresh garden flavor long after summer is over. And if you’re lucky enough to have a generous friend who shares a jar of homemade garlic scape pesto, you’ll quickly understand why it’s such a seasonal treasure.