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A few years ago was the first time I ever made homemade vanilla extract and I couldn’t believe how easy it was! On top of being easy, it tasted so much better than store bought vanilla extract AND was much more affordable. I was hooked! Are you ready to learn how to make your own homemade vanilla extract with this easy recipe?
Vanilla extract is an easy homemade gift idea. I store our vanilla extract in a glass mason jar but for gift giving try to dress it up a bit more and look for some unique shaped or colored glass jars at the store.
When I first started making homemade vanilla extract, I was mainly using it when baking and making homemade vanilla ice cream. Then I got hooked on my afternoon fix of a homemade vanilla lattemade with our vanilla extract. Last month I made the switch from coffee and now drink homemade chai tea everyday and love to add some of our vanilla extract for added extra flavor. There are so many uses for this delicious flavoring!
Vanilla Extract Recipe:
Remember when I said this was really easy to make? Seriously, there are only two ingredients. Vodka and vanilla beans. The toughest part of making vanilla extract is the wait! This recipe makes a small batch but you can easily double or triple the recipe to make the quantity you want.
Ingredients:
8 ounces of Vodka (doesn’t have to be fancy, I personally buy the mid price stuff)
4-6 Vanilla beans (you can buy them here)
Directions:
1.Slice the vanilla beans in half. If making a small batch, chop the vanilla beans in quarters to ensure the vanilla beans will be completely covered by vodka. If making a large batch, you can leave the vanilla beans whole.
2.Place the vanilla beans in a clean glass jar. Pour the vodka over top and put on a tight fitting lid.
3. Place the jar in a spot out of direct sunlight and let the vanilla beans soak in the vodka for a minimum of four to six weeks. If you think of it, give the jar a shake every so often (sometimes I don’t remember to do this and it still turns out tasty!)
After sitting and infusing for four to six weeks it is ready to use! You can filter out the vanilla beans if you want, but I never do. I like to leave the vanilla beans in my extract to continue infusing since the longer it sits, the more flavorful it becomes!
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About Annie Bernauer
Annie Bernauer is a certified Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. She enjoys writing about her family's adventures in modern day homesteading in Montana and helping others to learn these skills.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Oh my! How easy that sounds. I can’t wait to find some organic vanilla beans and get started! Thanks for sharing, I bet it really kicks your recipes up a notch. Does the strength of the taste change the amount you use in recipes? Thanks for sharing.
I haven’t adjusted the amount of vanilla I use in recipes since I haven’t noticed it being TOO strong.
What a great recipe! I had no clue that making vanilla was so easy. I also had no idea that vanilla contained Vodka. I’ll be buying lots of vanilla beans and starting a batch soon.
As always, thank you so much for sharing with your readers. I appreciate the time and care that you put into each and every post. I follow you regularly and you have taught me many things.
Many Thanks – Bobbie 🙂
Thank you Bobbie for your kind words, reading that totally made my day 🙂
I have been using Rum, I think that adds a little extra flavor. And I just add the split beans right in the bottle of rum…easy to pour from when ready to use.
Morning. I am doing my first batch of extract, and read at another site, the beans can be reused for up to 7 years. Do you have experience about that kind of info?
Thanks so much for the recipe!
Can you please tell me if you use the Grade A or Grade B bean? There sure is a difference in price. Thank you!
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FAQs
The standard for pure vanilla extract is 1 oz. of vanilla beans (by weight) per 8 fl. oz. (1 cup) of alcohol.
What happens if you don't shake homemade vanilla extract? ›
Every few days give your bottles of vanilla extract a good shake. Since both the vanilla bean pods and their seeds tend to sink to the bottom of the bottle, shaking moves the infused alcohol around, allowing for better and faster extraction.
Is it worth making homemade vanilla extract? ›
A bit of simple math reveals that homemade vanilla extract is the more economical choice. Say you buy two 4-ounce bottles of the good vanilla extract from the grocery store every year. If each jar costs $18, that's $180 over a five-year span.
How do you test homemade vanilla extract? ›
The simple taste test method for speed and ease is to simply dip your finger into the finished extract and take a quick taste. This method is convenient but requires an experienced palate because your extract is highly concentrated.
Why does my homemade vanilla extract still taste like vodka? ›
Answer #2: Alcohol is normal. Remember that all "Pure" extracts are required to have a minimum 35% alcohol content, which is just as much alcohol that is in hard liquor.
What is the best alcohol to make vanilla extract? ›
The FDA dictates that a pure vanilla extract needs to be at least 70 proof or 35% alcohol, and this makes Vodka an ideal choice for vanilla extraction.
Can I keep adding vodka to my homemade vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla can be ready to use in as little as 8 weeks, but I recommend at least 6 months for optimal flavor. 12+ months is great! As you begin to use your vanilla, you can refill with a little vodka each time. Give it a shake after you refill and give it a shake before each use, too.
Is vanilla extract better with rum or vodka? ›
Because the alcohol is tasteless, you obtain the pure vanilla bean flavor with Vodka. Rum has a highly sweet flavor with a strong vanilla flavor. While Bourbon has a beautifully enhanced vanilla flavor, it also has distinct smoky overtones that come through in the extract.
How long should homemade vanilla sit? ›
Seal the jar tightly with a lid and store in a dark, cool place. Wait. Next, you must wait at least 8 weeks before using the vanilla extract. I actually prefer to wait for 3-4 months before I open and use mine, because the vanilla flavor continues to intensify the longer the beans sit.
Why is my homemade vanilla not dark? ›
As the vanilla extract sits, it will get darker. You want the beans to soak in the alcohol for at least 2 months before using it. The flavor will only get better with time. Make up several batches of vanilla extract at once so you never have to wait for a batch to brew.
There are two primary reasons to cut the beans:
- When you are making extract, you want the bean fully submerged in alcohol. Some beans are simply too big for the bottle and need to be cut.
- Extract making takes a long time. Cutting the bean may decrease the time it takes for your extracts to be ready.
Madagascar vanilla is a great choice vanilla bean for making vanilla extract. The aroma of vanilla from Madagascar is just what most people expect when it comes to vanilla beans. Rich, buttery, creamy, with little notes of smokiness and soft cocoa undertones.
How often should you shake homemade vanilla extract? ›
Split beans lengthwise so that the tiny seeds are exposed. Add label, if using, but make sure to mark the date that the vanilla was bottled. Store in a cool, dark place and shake occasionally (about once a week). Store vanilla for at least 3 months before using (the longer it sits, the better!).
How long do vanilla beans last in homemade vanilla extract? ›
You can leave the vanilla beans in the bottles indefinitely and continue to top up the jar with alcohol as you use the extract. Alternatively, you can make vanilla sugar with the used vanilla beans. Place the old vanilla beans in some granulated sugar to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavors.
How many times can vanilla beans be used to make vanilla extract? ›
You can use vanilla beans for extract more than once, which makes them a gift that keeps on giving. Just know that the flavor will get weaker over time. Many recommend using them no more than four times.
What are the FDA guidelines for making vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla Recipes
Use this homemade vanilla extract as you would any other commercial variety. The official FDA formula for "Pure Vanilla Extract" calls for 13.35 oz. of vanilla beans per gallon of extract, and not less than 35% alcohol.
How many vanilla beans does it take to make a gallon of vanilla extract? ›
FDA standards call for at least 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon of liquid. This equates to approximately . 9 oz of beans per 8 ounces of alcohol! Many people really like to use rum, bourbon, or brandy.
How many vanilla beans to make 16 oz extract? ›
Just remember this ratio: 6 vanilla beans per 8 ounces of alcohol. So if your jar is 12 ounces, use 9 vanilla beans. If it's 16 ounces, use 12 beans.
What percent alcohol do you need to make vanilla? ›
By FDA standards, pure vanilla extract contains a minimum of 35 percent alcohol, the same proof as Captain Morgan rum. You can't buy it in liquor stores, but it's sold in grocery stores and for many, it is a household staple.
