5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto (with walnuts!) Recipe

Let me introduce you to a true game-changer for quick, vibrant meals: 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto. With fragrant basil, creamy walnuts, tangy parmesan, and those irresistibly punchy garlic scapes, this pesto is a dazzling green blend you’ll want on veggies, pasta, sandwiches—everywhere. The best part? It all comes together in mere minutes, making it irresistible for weeknight dinners or summer gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bursting With Fresh, Unique Flavor: The combination of garlic scapes and basil gives this pesto an addictive, slightly peppery kick you just can’t find in store-bought versions.
  • Ready in a Flash: You truly need just five minutes (and a blender or food processor) for this delicious sauce—perfect for last-minute meals!
  • Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re tossing it with pasta, spreading on crostini, or swirling into soups, this pesto elevates anything it touches.
  • Nutritious and Freezer-Friendly: With walnuts for healthy fats and the ability to freeze in portions, you can savor the taste of summer year-round!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This bright green 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto keeps things refreshingly simple—each ingredient is chosen for maximum flavor, perfect texture, and vibrant color. Here’s why every component deserves its spot in the mix!

  • Garlic Scapes (1 bunch, about 1 cup chopped): These curly, mild-tasting stems deliver a grassy, garlicky punch and the brightest green color imaginable. Be sure to trim away the bulbs and woody ends.
  • Fresh Basil (1/2 cup packed): Basil brings sweet, peppery freshness and classic Italian aroma, balancing out the boldness of the scapes.
  • Toasted Walnuts (1/2 cup pieces): Walnuts offer rich, buttery flavor and a creamy consistency—plus, they’re more affordable and nutritious than pine nuts!
  • Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup, grated): Parm adds that irresistible savory, salty umami and helps everything blend together smoothly.
  • Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon): A splash of lemon brightens all the flavors and keeps your pesto a gorgeous green.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (1/2 cup): EVOO gives your pesto that luscious, silky texture and fruitiness you crave.
  • Salt and Pepper (to taste): Just a pinch of each brings the whole blend to life.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of this 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto is how easily you can riff on the basics! Feel free to swap ingredients, adjust flavors, or go dairy- or nut-free—there are so many ways to make it your own.

  • Nut-Free: If allergies are a concern, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds make a lovely, toasty substitute for walnuts.
  • Dairy-Free/Vegan: Skip the parmesan and try nutritional yeast for cheesy depth without any dairy.
  • Herb Swap: Try half basil, half parsley, or even throw in some mint or arugula for a twist on the classic green flavor profile.
  • Citrus Zing: Swap half the lemon juice for lime, or add a pinch of lemon zest, for a totally different layer of brightness.

How to Make 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto

Step 1: Prep the Garlic Scapes

Start by washing your garlic scapes, then trim just below the bulb and cut off any woody, tough ends. Chop the tender green stalks into 1-inch pieces—this helps them blend quickly and evenly into your pesto.

Step 2: Begin the Blend

Add your chopped garlic scapes and fresh basil to the bowl of a high-speed blender or a food processor. Pulse several times to break everything down until it’s finely chopped, but not yet a paste—you want those flavors to mingle!

Step 3: Add Walnuts

Toss in the toasted walnut pieces and pulse again. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides as needed, ensuring those walnuts get evenly integrated—this gives your pesto its signature richness and slight crunch.

Step 4: Stream in the Olive Oil

With the motor running on low, slowly drizzle in your extra-virgin olive oil. Keep blending until everything looks uniform and creamy—the oil helps everything emulsify into a glossy, spoonable sauce.

Step 5: Finish with Cheese, Lemon, and Seasoning

Add the parmesan cheese and lemon juice, then pulse one final time until it’s all beautifully combined. Taste, then season your 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Adjust as needed and get ready to spread, scoop, and slather!

Pro Tips for Making 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto

  • Ultra-Fresh Scapes: For the brightest flavor and color, use freshly picked scapes when they’re in season (early summer is ideal!)—older scapes can be tougher and less tender.
  • Toast Those Walnuts: A quick toast in a dry skillet wakes up the natural oils in walnuts, giving your pesto an even deeper, nuttier taste.
  • Emulsify For Creaminess: Streaming the olive oil in slowly as you blend ensures your pesto comes out ultracreamy—not oily or separated.
  • Don’t Skip the Lemon: Even just a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice keeps your pesto vivid green and perfectly balanced—it’s the secret to that “can’t stop scooping” factor.

How to Serve 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto

5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto (with walnuts!) Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

This pesto is lovely with a shower of extra parmesan, a drizzle of good olive oil, or a scattering of chopped toasted walnuts for crunch and visual flair. For a summery pop, try a few torn basil leaves or even edible flowers for a gorgeous finish.

Side Dishes

5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto shines tossed with hot pasta, but it’s also perfect spooned over roasted vegetables, dolloped on grilled chicken, or as a dip for crusty bread. Pair it with a simple green salad or grilled seasonal veggies for a fresh, balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Spread this pesto onto crostini and top with cherry tomatoes for the easiest party snack, swirl it into soup for a vibrant finish, or use it as a pizza base for a garlicky twist. Try filling deviled eggs with a spoonful—it’s an unexpectedly crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a full week—the olive oil helps preserve freshness and flavor. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent browning if you want it to look extra vibrant.

Freezing

This pesto freezes like a dream! Spoon it into ice cube trays, freeze until solid, then pop the cubes into a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to six months. That way, you can thaw just what you need for a quick burst of summer even in the depths of winter.

Reheating

If you’re thawing frozen pesto, let the cubes come to room temperature on the counter or microwave gently at low power. Stir in a touch of olive oil to revive the creamy texture if needed—no need to cook or overheat, just bring it to a pleasant spreadable warmth.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular garlic instead of garlic scapes?

    You can, but keep in mind that garlic scapes have a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than mature garlic cloves. If substituting, use 1–2 cloves of fresh garlic and consider balancing with extra fresh herbs or greens to keep the flavor lively and not too sharp.

  2. What’s the best way to toast walnuts for pesto?

    Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes, shaking occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden—watch closely, as nuts can scorch quickly! Cool before adding to your blender for the best flavor and texture in your pesto.

  3. Can I use different types of cheese?

    Absolutely! While parmesan offers that classic salty kick, pecorino romano, asiago, or even a mild goat cheese can add unique twists. Experiment to suit your taste or use what’s already in your fridge.

  4. How do I prevent my pesto from turning brown?

    Lemon juice acts as a natural preservative that keeps your 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto vivid. For extra insurance, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing and refrigerating—it’s an easy way to lock in that fresh green color.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a vibrant, speedy way to add magic to meals, you can’t go wrong with 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto. I hope you’ll give it a try while scapes are in season—or using frozen cubes for a taste of sunshine any time you wish. Happy blending, and enjoy every zippy, green spoonful!

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5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto (with walnuts!) Recipe

5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto (with walnuts!) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 119 reviews
  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: About 1 cup 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This 5 Minute Garlic Scape Pesto with walnuts is a quick and flavorful twist on traditional pesto, using the vibrant green stalks of garlic scapes for a unique and delicious taste. Perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or as a flavorful topping for grilled meats.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Garlic Scape Pesto:

  • 1 bunch or 10-13 garlic scapes, bulb and woody ends removed, chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup chopped)
  • 1/2 cup packed basil
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare garlic scapes: Trim just below the bulb and woody ends. Chop remaining scape into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Blend garlic scapes and basil: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine garlic scapes and basil.
  3. Add walnuts: Pulse in the walnuts until combined. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  4. Emulsify with olive oil: Stream in the olive oil with the blender running until the pesto is uniform.
  5. Incorporate cheese and lemon juice: Add parmesan cheese and lemon juice, blend until combined.
  6. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Store pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to six months.
  • Freeze pesto in ice cube trays for convenient portioning.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 0.5g
  • Sodium: 80mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 2mg

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