How to Make the Best Homemade Vanilla Extract

Making Homemade Vanilla Extract is simpler than you might think, and it starts with just two ingredients: vanilla beans and vodka. My fool-proof Vanilla Extract Recipe has just the right amount of vanilla, and it tastes so much better than store-bought brands.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

If you visit a grocery store for a high-quality brand of vanilla extract you might experience sticker shock! Boy are they expensive!!

It’s not only way cheaper to make your own, but y’all, it’s super simple and even fun (I find it relaxing!). I love the smell of vanilla and making it from scratch is so rewarding.

Making your own homemade vanilla extract is the easiest thing, and it gives you the best flavor compared to the store-bought stuff.

All you need are a few whole vanilla beans, a glass jar, and a little vodka or food-grade vegetable glycerin.

Simply place the beans in a mason jar, pour vodka over them, give it a good shake, and store it in a cool place at room temperature.

Over time, the flavor of the vanilla beans infuses into the alcohol, creating a high-quality extract that tastes way better than imitation vanilla.

The best part?

You can control the quality of your ingredients. By using fresh vanilla beans and decent quality vodka, your homemade vanilla extract will have a richer, more complex flavor.

Plus, it’s a great gift idea! Every Christmas I make a huge batch and bottle it up for pretty gifts. It’s thoughtful to give something homemade like Vanilla Extract to friends and family during the holidays.

You’ll never want to go back to the store-bought version!

Why Make Homemade Vanilla Extract?

1. Superior Flavor: Homemade vanilla extract, especially when made with high-quality Tahitian, Madagascar, or Mexican vanilla beans, just tastes way better than store-bought vanilla extract.
2. Pure and Natural: Making your own vanilla extract means you know exactly what goes into it—just real vanilla beans and alcohol. This guarantees you’re avoiding the artificial flavors found in store-bought brands.
3. Customization: You can choose the strength of your extract. For a more potent extract, you might opt for a double-fold vanilla extract, which simply uses twice the number of beans in the same amount of alcohol.
4. Cost-Effective: While the initial investment in high-quality vanilla beans and alcohol might seem high, in the long run, making your own is way cheaper.
5. Makes Great Gifts: Homemade vanilla extract makes a perfect gift, especially during the holiday season!

Types of Vanilla Beans

When making your own DIY Vanilla Extract, it’s impotant to choose the right vanilla beans.

• Grade B Vanilla Beans are often recommended for making extract. They might not look as pretty as Grade A beans, but they’re drier, which means they have less moisture and more concentrated flavor, making it idea for extraction.
• Consider the flavor profile you prefer. Madagascar beans are the most versatile, but Tahitian or Mexican beans offer distinct flavors that can make your extract stand out.

Madagascar Vanilla Beans

Often referred to as Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans, these are among the most popular for making pure vanilla extract. They provide a classic, rich vanilla flavor that is sweet and creamy.

Tahitian Vanilla Beans

These beans are known for their floral and fruity notes, adding some unique flavors to your homemade vanilla extract.

Mexican Vanilla Beans

With a bold, spicy flavor, Mexican vanilla beans introduce a hint of warmth to your extract. They are excellent for recipes that call for a deep, complex vanilla taste.

Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla Extract

• 1/2 gallon of vodka (1.75 Liters)
• 40 Vanilla Beans
• Storage Containers

Tools Needed for Homemade Vanilla Extract

You don’t need any fancy tools to make DIY Vanilla Extract!

I normally make one large batch in a single 1/2 gallon amber colored glass bottle.

After several months of sitting, I’ll divide them up into smaller amber colored storage bottles using a small funnel so I don’t make a mess. This is perfect for gifting!

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

1. Using the tip of a knife, split the vanilla beans in half, exposing the middles – but leaving the ends attached so that they aren’t completely separated.
2. Place the vanilla beans into your empty container and cover with the vodka.
3. Seal the container.  I use a layer of plastic wrap under the screw on cap just to be sure it was sealed well.
4. Store in a cool, dark place for 6 months, shaking about every week.
5. After the 6 months, you can strain the mixture, and use the vanilla beans to make another batch too!

How to Store Vanilla Extract

Store your homemade vanilla extract in a glass bottle or Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place it in a cool place, away from sunlight and heat. A pantry or cupboard works well.

Homemade vanilla extract can last for years, and in fact, it gets better with age!

As long as it’s stored properly in a cool, dark place in a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid, it can last indefinitely.

The alcohol acts as a preservative, so the extract won’t spoil. Over time, the flavors will continue to develop, making it richer and more complex.

Recipe Tips

• Be sure to clean and sanitize the bottles.
• Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight. A pantry or a cupboard is perfect.
• Storing your homemade vanilla extract in in amber bottles is best because it protects the vanilla from light, which will cause it to lose flavor.
• Don’t throw away the vanilla pods after the extract is used up. Dry them and then blend them into vanilla sugar.

Print Pin

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon vodka (1.75 Liters)
• 40 Vanilla Beans

Instructions

• Using the tip of a knife, split the vanilla beans in half, exposing the middles – but leaving the ends attached so that they aren't completely separated.
• Place the vanilla beans into your empty container and cover with the vodka.
• Seal the container.  I used a layer of plastic wrap under the screw on cap just to be sure it was sealed well.
• Store in a cool, dark place for 6 months, shaking about every week.
• After the 6 months, you can strain the mixture, and use the vanilla beans to make another batch too!