Garlic Scapes Recipe: Hot Garlic Scape Pesto

Do you have garlic scapes running out your ears? You might want to try this delicious garlic scape recipe! This garlic scape pesto is made only with garlic scapes, rather than basil. It has a flavorful, spicy kick, perfect for taco dishes and dipping chips!

Scapes are garlic’s attempt to make seeds. Since garlic is easiest to grow from cloves, it is traditional to break off these garlic scapes as they appear. This channels more of the plant’s energy into making bigger bulbs.

Disclaimer: this page contains affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

This garlic scape pesto is super easy, but you’ll need a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix, or a food processor.

3 cups prepared garlic scapes
1/2 cup – 3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup toasted almonds
1/2 cup grated parmesian or similar hard cheese
2 T lemon juice
Salt and pepper

Prepare garlic scapes by cutting off the tough end at the top. If your garlic scapes are longer than 6″, break them into 4″ pieces.

To make garlic scape pesto, place garlic scapes, 1/2 cup olive oil, amonds, cheese and lemon juice in your food processor. Start grinding, stopping to scrape the sides as needed.

Blend until it looks more or less smooth, adding more olive oil if it is too thick. Olive oil will thin it down and also reduce the spiciness a bit.

Add salt and pepper to taste, and it’s ready to serve!

This yummy garlic scape pesto can be preserved by freezing in silicone ice cube trays then popping the cubes out into a ziplock baggy.

<br />

Enjoy your garlic scape pesto as a chip dip, or served with taco dishes. It has a powerful flavor that goes a long way, so use it sparingly unless you like spice!

More Garlic Scape Recipe Ideas

Have a lot of garlic scapes? We also use ours for fermented garlic scapes, grilled garlic scapes, and in quiche. Here are a few more garlic scape recipe ideas!

Grilled Garlic Scapes

Pickled Garlic Scapes

Garlic Scape Hummus

Find more homestead recipes here, including homemade ketchup and creamy garlic salad dressing!