Making Your Own Vanilla Extract

Making your own vanilla extract is simple, cost-effective, and free from unnecessary additives. All you need are two ingredients: vanilla beans and vodka, plus some patience as the flavors develop over time. If you bake, this homemade vanilla is a much needed staple for your pantry or as a gift!

Why Make Your Own Vanilla Extract?

Store-bought vanilla extract often contains additives like corn syrup or dextrose. Even "pure" vanilla extract may be diluted, containing only 35% vanilla and up to 65% water. By making your own, you ensure it’s truly pure and skip the unnecessary ingredients and - you're saving money.

Ingredients for Vanilla Extract

  • Alcohol: 1 large bottle of Vodka, I get the Kirkland brand from Costco. But you can use what you like.
  • Vanilla Beans: You'll need at least 30 vanilla beans. I use grade A Madagascar Vanilla Beans and split them from top to bottom. These are the vanilla beans I typically purchase.

Instructions for Making Vanilla Extract

  1. I just put the vanilla beans in the bottle of vodka.
  2. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 to 3 months (I keep mine in the pantry). I infuse the vanilla beans in the vodka for 6 months - as this is a large batch recipe.
  3. Shake two to three times a week.  It will also darken over time.
  4. When your extract is ready, use a funnel to pour into your bottles.

Vanilla Bean Tips

  • Split or Whole Beans: It doesn’t really matter. Split beans release flavor faster, but either method works, I split.
  • Reuse the Beans: You can refill the jar with more alcohol to create another batch, though the second batch may be less potent.
  • Faster Vanilla: Cutting the beans into smaller pieces can speed up the process, reducing the wait, but leaving it to infuse longer is better in my opinion.

Storing Vanilla Extract

Store the extract in dark glass bottles to protect it from light. It can last for years if properly stored.

Making vanilla extract at home is a rewarding and simple process that saves money while delivering a much more pure vanilla flavor.

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