Garlic Scapes Stir Fry with Minced Beef

This Garlic Scapes Stir-Fry with minced beef comes together in just 25 minutes. It captures the fleeting magic of early summer produce. Start by searing minced beef — or any protein you like. Chicken, mutton, or even tofu work beautifully with garlic scapes. Cook the meat until it’s caramelized and flavorful. Then toss in crisp garlic scapes. Coat everything in a savory soy-based sauce that’s rich with garlic, slightly sweet, and full of umami. The scapes add a fresh, mellow garlic flavor with the perfect bite. This one-pan garlic scapes stir fry with minced beef is fast, flexible, and ideal for busy weeknights when you want something seasonal and satisfying.

What are garlic scapes?

Garlic scapes are the curly, green flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic bulbs. Farmers typically trim them in early summer to encourage the garlic bulbs to grow bigger underground. But these scapes are far from waste — they’re a seasonal delicacy with a unique flavor and texture all their own.

What do garlic scapes taste like?

Garlic scapes have a fresh, vibrant flavor that’s milder and greener than raw garlic cloves. Think of them as a cross between garlic, scallions, and green beans. They’re not as sharp or pungent as raw garlic, which makes them perfect for stir-fries, pestos, sauces, or grilling.

How to prepare and cut garlic scapes?

Before using, rinse the scapes under cold water. Trim off the tough base of the stalk (about an inch from the bottom) and snip off the bulbous flower bud at the top (this part is edible but often fibrous). Then slice the remaining stalk into 1–2 inch pieces — similar to how you’d cut green beans or asparagus. They cook quickly and stay slightly crisp, making them ideal for quick stir-fry recipes.

Lubainah

Garlic Scapes stir fry with minced beef

Quick and easy garlic scapes stir fry with minced beef, bird's eye chili, soy sauce and kecap manis. A flavourful, spicy weeknight dinner ready in 25 minutes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb minced beef can be substituted with minced chicken or mutton
• 2 bunch garlic scapes trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 4 bird's eye chilis finely chopped, adjust to heat preference
• 4 garlic cloves chopped or minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp kecap manis for sweetness and depth
• 1/2 cup enoki mushrooms optional, but adds a great texture
• salt to taste

Method

 

Prepare the ingredients:

1. Trim and cut the garlic scapes into 1/2 inch pieces. Finely chop the bird’s eye chilies and mince the garlic.
   

Cook the minced beef:

1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant.
   
2. Add the minced beef and sear it until caramelized and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Break up any clumps with a spatula.
   
3. Add the chopped bird’s eye chili and stir for a few seconds
   

Season the stir-fry:

1. Pour in the soy sauce and kecap manis. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Add salt to taste.
   
2. Toss in the garlic scapes and enoki mushrooms. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until the scapes are tender-crisp.
   

Finish and serve:

1. Cook for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
   

Notes

Protein swaps: You can easily substitute minced beef with minced chicken, pork, mutton, or firm tofu for a vegetarian option.

Garlic scape substitutes: If garlic scapes aren’t available, green garlic or green onions can work as alternatives, though the flavor will be milder.

Adjust spice level: Bird’s eye chilies add heat—reduce or omit them if you prefer a milder dish.

Kecap manis alternative: If you don’t have kecap manis, mix soy sauce with a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey for similar sweetness.

Mushroom options: Enoki mushrooms add a delicate texture, but you can swap in shiitake, oyster, or button mushrooms.

Serving suggestion: Serve this stir-fry over steamed jasmine rice or with noodles for a complete meal.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.