Garlic scape pesto is one of the tastiest ways to use garlic scapes.  Whether you’re purchasing garlic scapes by the bundle at the farmer’s market, or harvested them by the bucket load at home, garlic scape pesto is always a good idea!

If you’re not familiar, garlic scape are the long green stalks that shoot up from developing garlic bulbs in the early summer months. Often overlooked and thrown away, these underutilized shoots are a delicious and hidden gem in the world of culinary ingredients.

Not only do garlic scapes add a burst of garlicky flavor to your dishes, but they also offer a variety of health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and K, garlic scapes can help support a healthy immune system, promote healthy digestion, and even lower cholesterol levels.

But enough with the health talk, let’s get to the fun part – pesto.

Garlic scape pesto is a delightfully fresh and flavorful alternative to traditional basil pesto. It’s the perfect addition to pasta, pizza, or sandwiches, or even as a topping for grilled meats. 

The best part? It’s easier to make than you might think. Here’s how.

Ingredients for Garlic Scape Pesto

The ingredients for making garlic scape pesto are quite simple.  To make one pint of pesto, you’ll need the following:

• 2 cups of garlic scapes, chopped into one-inch pieces
• 1 cup of finely grated parmesan
• ½ cup pine nuts (can substitute cashews or raw sunflower seeds)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 
• ½ to 1 cup fresh basil leaves (optional)

One note on substitutions. If you don’t have pine nuts on hand, you can substitute cashews or raw sunflower seeds. If you’d prefer not to use parmesan, whether because you’re vegan or trying to cut down on dairy, you can substitute with a dairy-free alternative as well.

Olive oil lends the best flavor to this recipe, but you can technically use any kind of oil you have on hand. We recommend something with a lighter taste as opposed to a more full-bodied oil. 

How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto

If you’ve ever made “traditional” basil pesto, the good news is that garlic scape pesto is pretty similar.

First things first, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. Remember, there’s no garlic in this recipe. Don’t get confused by the name, as the garlic scapes themselves provide that flavor. If you’re a fan of basil, you can add some to your pesto for an extra kick of flavor, but it’s totally optional. You can just make it as plain garlic scape flavored, and it’ll still taste amazing.

This recipe makes one pint of pesto. If that’s too much, you can easily halve the recipe and make a single cup, or you can double it for a mega batch of 1 quart. The choice is yours!

Now, let’s get cooking. The first step is to process your garlic scapes in a food processor until they’re finely chopped. This will help break them up into small pieces and make the texture of your pesto smoother. Once that’s done, add in the remaining ingredients (whatever you choose to include) and continue processing until you get a smooth consistency.

Once you’re happy with your pesto’s consistency, give it a try! You can adjust the seasonings to your taste – want it saltier? Add in another pinch of salt. Want it brighter? Squeeze in some more lemon juice.

Again, this recipe yields one pint, which is perfect for storing in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze leftover pesto in an ice cube tray for easy portioning later on. 

And that’s it! Your garlic scape pesto is ready to be enjoyed however you like. Spread it on a slice of bread for a quick snack, use it as a sauce for pasta, or add a dollop to your favorite salad. Whatever you choose!

Serving Garlic Scape Pesto

This pesto is versatile and can be paired with a variety of dishes. Spread it on your morning toast for a savory breakfast, dollop it on top of grilled chicken or fish for a delicious dinner, or mix it into your favorite pasta for a quick and easy meal. The possibilities are endless!

Now, when it comes to serving, you have two options. This pesto can be enjoyed hot or cold. If you’re looking for a warm and comforting meal, add it to your favorite cooked dishes right before serving. If you prefer a refreshing and light meal, toss it with cold pasta or serve it as a dip with fresh veggies.

And while this pesto is delicious on its own, you can jazz it up by adding some extra ingredients at serving. Try mixing in some grated Parmesan cheese for added creaminess and saltiness. Or you can sprinkle some toasted pine nuts on top for some crunch and nuttiness.

Garlic Scape Recipes

Looking for more ways to use garlic scapes?

• Pickled Garlic Scapes (Approved for Canning)
• Garlic Scape Carbonara
• Garlic Scape Biscuits with Cheddar

Yield: Makes 1 pint

Garlic Scape Pesto

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Garlic scape pesto is my favorite way to use up garlic scapes in season.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups of garlic scapes, chopped into one-inch pieces
• 1 cup of finely grated Parmesan
• ½ cup pine nuts (can substitute cashews or raw sunflower seeds)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 
• ½ to 1 cup fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions

1. Begin by gathering your ingredients.
2. Process your garlic scapes in a food processor until they’re finely chopped. This will help break them up into small pieces and make the texture of your pesto smoother. 
3. Add in the remaining ingredients and continue processing until you get a smooth consistency.
4. Once you're happy with your pesto's consistency, give it a try! You can adjust the seasonings to your taste with more salt, lemon juice, or basil. 
5. Store leftover pesto in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for up to one year. It can be served hot or cold.