Garlic Scapes & Vegetarian Beef

Garlic scapes aren’t something you find often at places like the grocery store. You are much more likely to see them at the farmer’s market, or maybe you have a friend who grows garlic, or local farm where you can find them.

Garlic scapes grow from the tops of hardneck garlic, and are edible. They do have a tough and fibrous texture, and can have a very strong taste, so it is good to find ways to enjoy it without an overpowering raw garlic taste.

For this recipe, I used:

~ garlic scapes (approx 3 cups)
~ 1 bag meatless “beef”
~ 1/4 cup vegetable stock (I use vegetarian Better than Buillion)
~ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
~ 2 garlic cloves, minced
~ 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
~ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
~ salt, to taste
~ vegetable oil, and sesame oil if desired
~ optional, for heat: chili oil, chili oil sauce, chilis, etc.

To start, wash your garlic scapes.

Remove the woodier parts of the scapes. Then slice them into approximately 1-2″ long pieces.

Boil your garlic scapes for about 2 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water.

We are a fan of these Gardein Beefless tips (photo credit: Gardein). I like to microwave them first to thaw. You can leave them whole or slice them.

Heat the oil in a pan – vegetable oil, plus sesame oil if you have it.

Start by stir-frying your meatless “beef”, either whole pieces or cut into strips.

Create your sauce, using the wet ingredients and cornstarch. If you don’t have all these ingredients, that is ok – you can even mix some soy sauce and hoisin sauce or other similar ingredients to make your sauce.

~ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
~ 1/4 cup vegetable stock
~ 2 garlic cloves, minced
~ 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
~ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
~ salt, to taste

Mix your sauce and then stir fry everything together, until your sauce thickens and the garlic scapes are a desired texture.

Serve on its own, or with a side of rice.

What do you think?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

22 Comments
  • Shayla Marie
    April 7, 2020

    This makes me CRAVE gardening so badly. I miss having a garden! We need a fence up before we can plant one but I don’t think it will happen this year.

  • Ainsley
    April 7, 2020

    That sounds super yummy! I love that you’re using a part of the plant that a lot of people would just toss!

  • Rebecca
    April 7, 2020

    I’ve never heard of garlic scapes before!
    This dish looks delicious.

    I need to add garlic to my garden this year!

  • melissa chapman
    April 13, 2020

    We are vegan and always run out of good recipes. That” beef” dinner really looks like a winner that we will try soon

  • cait
    April 13, 2020

    this looks super yummy and easy to make- ill have to try it sometime

  • Amber Myers
    April 13, 2020

    This looks incredible! I am excited to try it. I tend to love all things with garlic.

  • Tasheena
    April 13, 2020

    I wish I would have planted some garlic last fall. This recipe looks so yummy. Looking forward to making it.

  • Heather
    April 13, 2020

    I have never seen these before. This dish looks amazing, and I bet it keeps the vampires away 🙂

  • Beth
    April 13, 2020

    This looks delicious! I’ll have to look for garlic scapes the next time I’m at a produce stand.

  • Sam
    April 14, 2020

    This looks and sounds super yummy!!! I’ve never heard of garlic scapes but I’m definitely going to have to give this a try…;)

  • Pinay Mommy
    April 14, 2020

    We have something similar here in our place. There’s just a difference between some ingredients.

    Anyway, I bet that’s delicious!

  • Rena
    April 14, 2020

    I’m not a vegetarian but I do like to eat vegetarian more than half of the time. This looks amazing!

  • Lynndee
    April 14, 2020

    That looks delish. I love using a lot of garlic cloves in my cooking, but I haven’t tried using garlic scapes before. Thanks for the idea.

  • Jenn @ EngineerMommy
    April 14, 2020

    I really want to start our own garden. It seems intimidating but I think it’ll be worth the effort. I Need to create raised garden beds.

  • Kathy
    April 14, 2020

    This looks really good. Now I definitely want to make this sometime. I bet it will be delicious.

  • Fiona
    April 14, 2020

    So many crazy looking vegetables – I love them!! Will have to give this a go this week

  • Catalina
    April 14, 2020

    This beefless beef dish seems to be very flavorful! I am so curious to try it! Yum!

  • Kita Bryant
    April 14, 2020

    I love cooking with things fresh from the garden. It is the only way to do it if you ask me.

  • Bohemian Babushka
    April 14, 2020

    Babushka is incorporating more vegan elements into her diet. This “beef” is definitely worth trying out. Gracias for the intro.

  • Lizzie Lau
    April 15, 2020

    Your garlic scapes with vegetarian beef recipe looks amazing. I had planned on planting garlic this year, but I missed the window. I do know some people growing it, so I’ll ask around and see if I can find garlic scapes.

  • riak
    April 15, 2020

    This dish looks so delish! I love vegetarian food, can’t wait to try the garlic scapes! I’ve never seen them before.

  • Swathi
    April 15, 2020

    I haven’t tried vegetarian Beef need to try it looks delicious. perfect meal with a bowl of rice.