Description
This Garlic Scapes Butter is like a love letter to garlic lovers, with a fresh, vibrant twist from those curly green scapes I snag at the farmer’s market. It’s creamy, zesty, and packs just the right amount of punch to elevate any dish—think warm sourdough, juicy steaks, or even roasted potatoes. I’ve been making this for years, and my family can’t get enough (my kids beg for it on corn!). It’s quick to whip up, looks gorgeous, and adds a gourmet vibe without any fuss.
Ingredients
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1 cup (about 8-10) garlic scapes, chopped into 1-inch pieces
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1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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1 tablespoon (15ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
I always go for fresh garlic scapes—those firm, bright green ones are the best for Garlic Scapes Butter. If you can, grab organic butter; I swear it makes the flavor pop. (Pro tip: trim any woody ends from older scapes to keep things smooth.)
Instructions
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Prepare the Garlic Scapes: Rinse the garlic scapes under cold water to wash off any dirt. Chop them into 1-inch pieces so they blend easily. Pulse them in a food processor until finely chopped but not puréed—overdoing it makes Garlic Scapes Butter bitter. (Been there, done that!)
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Soften the Butter: Make sure your butter is soft—leave it out for an hour or zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds if you’re impatient like me. Soft butter is key for a creamy Garlic Scapes Butter texture.
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Blend Everything: Add the chopped scapes, softened butter, sea salt, lemon juice, black pepper, and olive oil to the food processor. Blend for about 30 seconds until it’s smooth and vibrant. Scrape down the sides halfway through to catch any stray bits.
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Taste and Tweak: Give your Garlic Scapes Butter a quick taste. I usually add a pinch more salt or a splash of lemon juice if it needs a boost. Transfer to a bowl or roll it into a log with plastic wrap for slicing later.
Notes
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If you don’t have a food processor, no worries! I’ve chopped scapes by hand and mixed with a fork—it’s a workout, but the flavor’s just as awesome.
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For a fun twist, try my spicy variation: add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. My husband loves it, but it’s a bit much for the kids!
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Garlic Scapes Butter freezes like a dream. I roll it into logs and slice off rounds whenever I need a quick flavor hit.
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Don’t use bottled lemon juice; fresh is the way to go for that bright zing. (I learned this after a lackluster batch.)
Equipment: Food processor, measuring cups and spoons, spatula, plastic wrap (optional for shaping)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg