Homemade & Yummy

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Garlic Scapes Recipe On The Grill

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Shake up the BBQ season with this grilled Garlic Scapes Recipe. A fun and delicious side dish that has a mild garlic flavour. You might even have your guests asking “What the heck is a garlic scape”?

Close up of Garlic Scapes Recipe For The Grill finished and ready to eat.

Similar to grilled asparagus, grilled garlic scapes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and a sure-fire conversation starter. Have you tried them before?

Garlic scapes are in the same category as fiddleheads. You know that unusual ingredient category. The thing you see at the market or the store and ask yourself, “What is that”?

A pile of garlic scapes ready to be cleaned.

Last time I visited the Farmer’s Market, I was so excited to pick up a big basket of garlic scapes. I was going to prepare them similar to my roasted fiddlehead recipe. Not sure what the weather was like your way this past weekend. It was so hot here, I was roasting. No way was I turning the oven on.

Grilling This Garlic Scapes Recipe

Grilling the garlic scapes was the name of the game. We actually did it twice since the basket of garlic scapes was HUGE. I also put some in the freezer. Read on, and you will see how easy that is to do.

Garlic scapes getting chopped ready to grill.

The first time we placed them whole, directly on the BBQ grates. The second time (our preferred method) we used a grill basket. Here is all you have to do:

  • Wash and dry the garlic scapes
  • Cut off the dry ends and thick stalks
  • Cut into long pieces (or leave whole if you prefer)
  • Massage in some olive oil (I used butter flavoured)
  • Season with salt (smoked sea salt is awesome here)
  • Cook in a grill basket over medium heat
  • Garlic scapes are done when they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside (about 10 minutes)
  • Remove from the heat
  • Add more seasoning (OMG black truffle salt is the best)
  • ENJOY!

What The Heck Is A Garlic Scape?

We had our daughter and family over for a BBQ on the weekend. When she asked what we were having for dinner, I said garlic scapes. My son-in-law said, “What is a garlic scape”?

Garlic scapes in a bowl, covered in olive oil and seasoned with salt ready for the grill.

Garlic scapes are the flower bud of the garlic plant. Farmers remove them to allow the garlic bulbs to thicken. Just like fiddleheads, they are available for a very short time. Usually only for about 3 weeks in the June-July time frame each year.

Now, my husband does not like garlic. I think he might be part vampire (he loves my neck). I, on the other hand, LOVE garlic. Do you know who else totally loved this garlic scapes recipe? Our 3-year-old granddaughter. She kept asking for more.

Garlic scapes cooking on the grill.

The texture of grilled garlic scapes is very similar to asparagus. The taste is so mild that even my garlic hating husband liked them. The second time we grilled them, I seasoned the grilled scapes with black truffle salt. Wow, that took the garlic scapes to a whole new level of awesome!

Garlic Scapes Recipe Ideas

Just what else can you do with garlic scapes? Well, there are several ways to enjoy these fun, curly stalks. Here are a few:

  • roasted or sautéed garlic scapes
  • pickled garlic scapes
  • garlic scape hummus
  • make garlic scape compound butter
  • chop them up and add them to salads

Freezing Garlic Scapes

Like I mentioned earlier, I actually put some in the freezer. I researched the correct way to do this. Surfing the web I found 2 different methods. One method involved blanching before freezing. The other method was less involved. Trim, wash, dry, chop and place in freezer bags.

Raw garlic scapes in a bag ready for the freezer.

I chose the second method. Since this was SO easy to do, I am going to head to the market again this weekend and pick up another basket. Freezing a few bags of garlic scapes will allow us to enjoy these tasty little garlic flower buds during the year (until they are available again next season).

Grilled garlic scapes in a bowl ready to eat.

So if you have never tried them before, give this grilled Garlic Scapes Recipe a try at your next BBQ party. You just might turn some garlic haters into garlic lovers. Grab them before it’s too late!

If you have tried garlic scapes before, what is your favourite way to enjoy them?

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Close up of Garlic Scapes Recipe For The Grill finished and ready to eat.

Garlic Scapes Recipe For The Grill

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside with a mild garlic taste. This Garlic Scapes Recipe For The Grill will be a sure-fire conversation starter at your next BBQ party.
5 from 36 votes
Print Rate
Course: bbq side
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: seasonal vegetable
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 271kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds garlic scapes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil ( I used butter flavoured)
  • 1 tsp smoked sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black truffle salt (to garnish/optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Prepare The Garlic Scapes:

  • Wash and pat dry garlic scapes.
  • Cut off dry ends and thick stalk ends (the bulb at the end).
  • You can choose to leave them whole if you wish, or cut them into long pieces. Place in a bowl.
  • Massage them with the olive oil, and season with the smoked sea salt. You can also add pepper if you wish.

To Grill The Garlic Scapes:

  • Heat the BBQ to medium. 
  • Oil a grill basket, and add the prepared garlic scapes.
  • Grill for about 10 minutes, turning several times. Garlic scapes are done when they are slightly browned on the outside, and tender on the inside. Very similar to asparagus.
  • Remove from grill, and season with black truffle salt.
  • ENJOY!!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 413mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 58.6% | Calcium: 28.3% | Iron: 14.7%

Notes

If you wish, leave the garlic scapes whole and you can put them (in coiled piles) directly on the grill. We find this method a little more difficult since they tend to slip through the BBQ grates.

Garlic Scapes Recipe For The Grill pin image.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. I love cooking for the family and I love buying fresh produce to fix with our main meal. I bet this will be amazing with grilled steak or chicken and even more delicious as a simple, healthy snack!

    Reply

  6. I have not tried garlic scapes but that ends now! I need to try these scapes. A hearty snack and versatile and I love that the entire veggie is being used. A great way to be economical, healthy and eating deliciousness!

    Reply

  7. I never tried garlic scapes, I’m so curious! Bookmarking the recipe, as I’m sure I’ll give it a try next time I find these beauties at the local market 🙂

    Reply

  9. I always toss mine in the food processor to make garlic scape pesto. I made so much last summer I still have a few batches left a year later!

    Reply

  11. I had NO idea that garlic scapes existed! I know you said they have a mild flavor, but is that a milk garlic flavor? I love garlic and I’m so intrigued by this. Sounds amazing!

    Reply

  12. Your husband loves your neck! Hahaha, you’re so funny! I’ve never had garlic scapes. Will have to check out the farmers market this weekend!

    Reply

  15. I LOVE garlic scapes! We’ve been fortunate to have an abundance of them in our local farm markets. Your grilled recipe looks absolutely delectable! I’ve actually never frozen them, but that’s a brilliant idea. How great it would be to enjoy garlic scapes year round. I’m going to load up my basket when I go to the market!

    Reply

  16. I have to confess I’ve never tried garlic scapes and I have no idea why. I love garlic and I’m sure I will love garlic scapes as well. Next time I go to the farmer’s market, I’ll buy them and make your recipe! Hope the season is not yet over. Fiddleheads will be the next ones in line 🙂

    Reply

  19. I have a bunch of scapes in the fridge right now, and I’ve been trying to decide what to do with them. I have to say, I think that this is the way to go! Simple and delicious! I don’t have the truffle salt but man, does that ever sound like a good idea. Perhaps I’ll shave a little parmesan over the top for an extra umami-hit! Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration.

    Reply

  20. I managed to snag some garlic scapes at the farmers market last year and they were just delicious. I havent come across any this year yet, but il be keeping an eye out. Especially now that you have mentioned truffle salt – yes please!! Thanks for the tips on freezing, I always love buying produce with a short season in bulk and saving for the rest of the year (we currently have a freezer bursting with cherries!)

    Reply

  22. This is so clever!! I have never thought to grill garlic scapes…and this is coming from a person who is a big supporter of the “grill everything and anything” mentality haha! I need to try this the next time I see garlic scapes in the store!!

    Reply

  25. I want some garlic scapes! I always look for them, but seem to always miss them at the farmer’s market. Boo. I’ll keep looking- this looks delicious!

    Reply

  26. Garlic scapes are so much fun! I just roasted some a few weeks ago. I love the idea of grilling them, though. And since they’re so crisp and zippy, you really don’t have to fuss over them too much! A bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper!

    Reply

  27. My grandma has plenty of garlic scapes in her garden but I never know this we can eat. It seams that I’ve been missing a lot since this recipe sounds amazing. Super flavourful and healthy. I must try this that’s for sure.

    Reply

  28. Your garlic scapes are looking so fresh and vibrant! This is probably one of the very few ingredients that I’ve never cooked with nor tried but I LOOOOOOVE everything garlic so the taste would be right up my alley. Have to find some scapes and try this recipe

    Reply

  29. I will have to start looking for scapes at the farmers market. I love grilling season and grilled vegetables are the absolute best! This is a must try recipe for sure.

    Reply

  30. I love garlic and I’m positive I would love these even though I’ve never heard of garlic scapes before! They sound delicious and I’m going to be on the lookout for them now!

    Reply

  31. I never actually thought to use garlic scapes!! These is amazing – I’ll have to use my garlic scapes next time. I used to just toss them, not realizing what they were. I’ll try this next week 🙂

    Reply

  33. I rarely ever get to have garlic scapes because of how quickly the go in and out of season. I hope there is still time for me to pick some up to make this!

    Reply

  34. I am not a lover of things with strong garlic taste and havent been abelt to tolerate the strong flavor of scapes – but I know a lot of people who love them and this simple preparation will be great

    Reply

  35. You have me looking for these in the super this week. Can’t find them. I will keep looking. I remember my mom use to make these -and I do like them. Love how long and stringy they look just like ropes.

    Reply

  36. Your scapes look so pretty and green. They look amazingly fresh! I wonder if the ones you find in the wild are stronger tasting. I asked some people from West Virginia — they have a lot in their woods — what they tasted like. They said they had a strong garlic taste – well, some people can’t even stand a whiff of garlic. We LOVE garlic. I’m on the search for them at the Farmer’s Market.

    Reply

  37. Wow! This sounds interesting, and I love the fact that pretty much every part of the plant is being used. I’ve never had this before but I would be happy to try it out. Looks like I’ll be livening up my BBQ sides this grilling season!

    Reply

  38. I’ve never heard of garlic scapes before, but they sound like something I would love! Now…to find them! Unfortunately, we don’t have any farmer’s markets near us at the moment, but I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for them – I love trying new things!

    Reply

  39. Oh I LOVE garlic scapes! And eeek I don’t know if I could be married to someone who didn’t love garlic as much as me! Or I guess the better point is I don’t think someone who didn’t love garlic could be married to ME! ;P I LOVE that your 3 year old grand daughter loved these – YES to introducing little ones to all the veggies!!

    Reply

  40. wow, what an interesting recipe! thanks for telling what is a garlic scape! I have never seen them, i bet these taste delicious, the way they are cooked!!! Brilliant recipe, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  43. This sounds so simple and easy to make. I love these but have not seen them here in years. I must look for them at the grocer. These are so healthy and nutritious.

    Reply

  44. I’ve yet to taste them. Here they grow in the wild and I was able to get some starts. I didn’t want to harvest them because they spread. Well, unfortunately they sprout the month of May when we’re gone. Now that we’re moving I’ll not have the chance. I will try the Farmer’s Market so I can try out your recipe.

    Reply

  45. I have to go on a garlic scape hunt. The only time I ever had them, my brother in law brought me some from his cabin. I’ll have to see if I can find them in one of our bigger grocery stores. Anyway these look fantastic! I love that you grilled them as I don’t really know what to do with them. I’m passing this recipe on to my sister who loves them too!

    Reply

  47. Your line about your husband being part vampire totally cracked me up! We love garlic scapes around here, but we’ve never grilled them. We’ll have to try it!

    Reply

  48. I had no idea what a garlic scape was, but now after reading your post, I cannot wait to try them. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  52. You know we’ve seen these in the market before but we weren’t really sure what they were or what to do with them lol. Grilling is definitely up our alley. Great to know we can freeze them too.

    Reply

  53. These Garlic Scapes look amazing! And they will pair so perfectly with summer barbecues. So delicious!

    Reply

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