Preserving Garlic Scapes: How To Pickle, Freeze & More

Garlic scapes are one of those garden treats that seem to show up overnight and disappear just as quickly.

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One day, you’re admiring your tidy rows of garlic, and the next, curly green shoots are reaching for the sky. Blink, and they’re tough and woody. Preserving garlic scapes extends this delicious short season.

If you’re lucky enough to grow your own garlic, have a small garlic farm like we do with an abundance of garlic scapes, or snag a bundle at the farmer’s market, then you know garlic scapes are seasonal gold. Mildly garlicky with a fresh green snap, they can be used in all kinds of ways—but what if you’ve got a pile of them and can’t eat them fast enough?

That’s where preserving garlic scapes comes in.

Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite ways to preserve garlic scapes so you can enjoy their flavor long after the season ends: freezing, pickling, and pesto. It’s quick, it’s easy, and best of all—you get to be the person who still has garlic scapes way past its short season while the rest of the world may have missed these gems. Try this pickled garlic scapes recipe today.

Once you get done preservings garlic scapes, give canned pickled onions a try next—they’re just as simple and just as addictive.

What Are Garlic Scapes?

If you’re new to garlic scapes, here’s the quick lowdown: they’re the flower stalks that hardneck garlic plants send up in late spring to early summer. Left alone, they’ll eventually bloom—but gardeners usually snip them off to redirect the plant’s energy back into the garlic bulb.

The bonus? You get these beautiful, curly green stalks that taste like a cross between garlic and green onions, with a texture that’s tender when young and perfect for everything from stir-fries to compound butters.

Fresh garlic scapes season is short—maybe three weeks tops—so let’s not waste a single one. So let’s go over preserving garlic scapes.

Freezing Garlic Scapes

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Let’s start with the simplest way to preserve them first. Freezing is a great way to preserve garlic scapes without much fuss for future use. You can freeze them chopped, whole, or blended—depending on how you plan to use them later.

How to Freeze Garlic Scapes:

Wash and Trim: Rinse your scapes thoroughly and with a sharp knife, cut off any brown tips or trim any garlic scapes that have a woody end. Let them dry on a paper towel.

Chop or Leave Whole: Chop them into small pieces. I like to cut mine into 1 to 2-inch pieces for easy measuring later. You can also leave them whole if you’re freezing small amounts.

Should You Blanch Garlic Scapes?

Blanching (Optional): I don’t bother, and they’ve held up beautifully in the freezer for up to a year. But if you’re a blancher by nature, dip them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in an ice bath.

Freeze in a Single Layer: Spread them on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe containers, a zip-top freezer bag, or vacuum-seal them if you’re fancy like that. I prefer to store them in a glass mason jar so that the garlic scapes flavors don’t absorb into other frozen foods.

Label and Date: Trust me, you’ll thank yourself in February.

Tips for Using Frozen Garlic Scapes

Use frozen garlic scapes straight from the freezer in soups, stir-fries, or egg dishes. No need to thaw.

Pickled Garlic Scapes

If you’re into tangy, crunchy, garlic-packed snacks (and who isn’t?), pickling is a must. They just look so pretty in a mason jar. Pickled garlic scapes are perfect for charcuterie boards, sandwiches, or just eating straight from the jar when no one’s looking.

This quick-pickle method for preserving garlic scapes doesn’t require canning unless you want to store them for long-term use.

My Quick Pickled Garlic Scapes Recipe

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Ingredients:

• Garlic Scapes
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Water
• Salt – Kosher or Pickling
• Maple Syrup
• Fresh Dill
• Peppercorns

Instructions:

1. Sterilize jars (this is a must if canning them for shelf-stable storage) or at least give them a thorough wash.

2. Trim off the flower buds and any woody ends for the best texture.

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3. Pack the jars with dill, a half teaspoon of the peppercorns into each jar and garlic scapes, bending them into coils or cutting them into shorter lengths.

4. In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, and maple syrup. Bring to a simmer.

5. Pour the hot brine over the scapes, leaving ½ inch of headspace.

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5. Optional if preserving in the fridge, not in a water bath: Place a glass weight to hold the scapes in the brine, then seal with a lid.

6. Cool, refrigerate, and wait at least 3 days before tasting—though a week is even better.

How Long Do Pickled Garlic Scapes Last?

They’ll keep in the fridge for about 3 months.

Don’t stop here—quick refrigerator pickles are another easy recipe to try next, and just as satisfying to make.

Can You Water Bath Can Pickled Garlic Scapes?

If you’d like to water bath can them for long-term storage, process pint jars for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude).

If you want to understand how all of this fits together — from water bath canning to freezing, pickling, and more — start here: Home Canning & Preserving: The Complete Beginner’s Guide.

3. Garlic Scape Pesto – A Garden-Fresh Favorite

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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the queen of all scape recipes: garlic scape pesto. It’s punchy, fresh, and freezes like a dream. This is a favorite recipe of mine, read my post – How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto.

What Makes Garlic Scape Pesto So Special?

If you’ve never made pesto with garlic scapes before, let me tell you—it’s a game changer. While I love a good traditional basil pesto, this version brings a whole new layer of flavor that’s fresh, slightly sweet, and gently garlicky and green-onion flavor without being overpowering It’s the kind of seasonal recipe that makes you feel like you’re truly eating from the garden.

Ways to Use Garlic Scape Pesto

We spread this pesto on homemade pizza, stir it into pasta, or dollop it on grilled chicken or any grilled protein. There are so many ways to use it:

• Toss with hot pasta for a quick and flavorful meal
• Spread on sandwiches, paninis, or wraps in place of mayo
• Use as a sauce base for homemade pizza
• Stir into scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas
• Drizzle over grilled or roasted vegetables
• Mix into mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
• Use as a marinade or finishing sauce for grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp
• Add a spoonful to soups or stews for a burst of flavor
• Serve as a dip with crusty bread, crackers, or fresh veggies
• Swirl into hummus or Greek yogurt for a herby dip
• Stir into cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous
• Use as a burger spread—delicious with goat cheese or burrata

How to Freeze Garlic Scape Pesto – Best Method

1. Leave Out the Cheese (If Freezing for Long-Term Storage)

• Parmesan can get a little gritty or separate when frozen.
• Freeze the pesto without the cheese, then stir in freshly grated Parmesan when you thaw and use it.

2. Portion in Small Batches

Use one of these freezer-friendly options:

• Ice cube trays (perfect for 1–2 tablespoon portions)
• Mini silicone muffin trays
• Small freezer-safe jars or silicone pouches

Once frozen solid, pop out the cubes and store in a labeled airtight container or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

💡 Tip: Label it with the date and “No cheese” so you remember when you go digging through the freezer.

3. Top with Oil Before Freezing (Optional but Recommended)

Add a thin layer of olive oil on top of each portion before sealing to help preserve color and prevent freezer burn.

4. Freeze for Up to 6 Months

You can technically stretch it longer, but for the best flavor and texture, try to use your pesto within 4–6 months.

If you want to understand how all of this fits together — and feel confident using the right method every time — start here: Home Canning & Preserving: The Complete Beginner’s Guide.

4. How to Make Garlic Scape Vinaigrette

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If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a bundle of garlic scapes wondering what in the world to do with them, this vinaigrette is a great use for them. It’s one of my go-to seasonal recipes using fresh or frozen garlic scapes—quick to make, big on flavor, and wildly versatile. Make garlic scape vinaigrette today with my recipe.

Best Ways to Use Garlic Scape Vinaigrette

Whether you drizzle it over a fresh garden salad, use it as a marinade for grilled vegetables, or toss it with roasted potatoes, or even use it as a dipping sauce, this garlic scape vinaigrette brings a zippy, garlicky brightness to any dish. It’s a simple way to let seasonal produce shine—and honestly, it tastes like summer in a jar.

5. Garlic Scape Hummus – A Creamy Garden Dip

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If you’re already a fan of hummus, garlic scape hummus is going to blow your tastebuds out of their usual routine—in the best way possible. Made in a food processor, this creamy, zesty dip takes everything you love about classic hummus and adds a fresh, green garlic variation that feels just right for late spring and early summer. I love serving this in our backyard pub (The Grain Shed), family BBQs, or just keeping a jar in the fridge for an easy snack with veggies or crackers. And let’s be honest—anything that helps me use up a pile of garlic scapes and tastes this good is a win. Once you try it, this seasonal hummus might just become a summer tradition. Try my garlic scape hummus recipe with either fresh or frozen garlic scapes.

More Ways to Use Garlic Scapes (That Aren’t Pesto or Pickles)

• They are great in stir fry
• Chopped raw scapes are tasty on fresh salads
• They make a delicious addition to your favorite compound butter
• Add them to oil for a garlic scape-infused oil

Don’t Let the Garlic Scape Harvest Season Slip By

Garlic scapes are one of those fleeting gifts from the garden—easy to overlook, even easier to waste. But by preserving garlic scapes, you can bring that mild, garlicky green flavor into your meals for a long time.

Whether you freeze them, pickle them, or blend them into pesto, you’ll be happy you did. Especially in the dead of winter when your soup, sandwich, or roasted veggie tray is begging for a flavor boost.

Want more ways to preserve what’s in season? Browse the full Canning & Preserving collection here.

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So if you’ve got a bundle of garlic scapes on your counter right now—or still have a few out in the garden—it’s not too late for preserving garlic scapes. Snip, chop, and preserve away. This way you can enjoy their mild garlic flavor anytime of year.

If you’ve already tried one of these methods or found another excellent way to preserve and use garlic scapes, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Please drop a comment or send me an email. Let’s keep the garlic scape season going just a little bit longer.

More posts you might enjoy

• Garlic Scapes – The Hidden Gem of Your Garden Harvest
  
• Garlic – Hardneck vs. Softneck, The Best Type for Your Garden
  
• How to Determine the Perfect Time to Harvest Garlic
  

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