Homemade Vanilla Extract

Learn how to make homemade vanilla extract! All you need is two ingredients and a little bit of patience! I’m including all my tips and tricks, a free printable, and a tutorial video! This makes a great homemade gift!

I have a lot of words for you today because I want to show you in detail how to make vanilla extract at home. If you like to understand the details and the whys of a recipe, read through the post, but if you’re just in a hurry to get to the recipe jut click that big “jump to recipe” button above instead.

OK, who’s left? Who didn’t click the button? My kind of people, it’s so good to have you 💜

Homemade vanilla extract is simple to make and requires just two ingredients, but I want to go over everything in detail, from the beans to choose (and not choose) and the best alcohol to buy (hint: it’s not the most expensive one!).

Yes, making it takes time (3 months!), but not only is homemade always better, it’s often cheaper to make your own at home. Those three months are going to pass anyway. Get started today (and make a couple extra bottles to give as gifts for Christmas!).

Vanilla Beans: What to Buy and Where to Buy Them

Without a doubt, vanilla beans are the most important ingredient. Vanilla beans come in a number of varieties, but for baking, you want Madagascar vanilla beans. Other varieties like Mexican, Indonesian, and Tahitian have different flavors. While they can be fun to play with, they also tend to lend an unexpected taste to your baked goods. For classic vanilla flavor, stick strictly with Madagascar vanilla or Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans. If you have the choice between “Grade A” or “Grade B”, stick to the Grade B because they’re cheaper (if not as pretty) and they work just as well for making extract.

Where you purchase your beans is up to you. I’ve found they’re insanely expensive at my grocery store (often sold in the spice aisle) and the quality of the beans is sometimes subpar and dry. They’re available on Amazon, but mixed reviews and bad ratings have kept me from ever personally buying them from there.

My favorite place to buy vanilla beans is Beanilla and these are the beans I buy, I’m not affiliated with them in any way, but have been buying my beans from them for years.

Vanilla extract darkens with time. On the left is a dark bottle of vanilla extract that I’ve had for over 6 months, on the right is a newly-made bottle that’s still clear.

Choosing an Alcohol

Alcohol is key for making pure vanilla extract, and vodka is the classic choice and my personal recommendation. It’s the best choice to let the true vanilla flavor of the beans shine through. Bourbon is another option, and truly you can use just about any alcohol you’d like that’s 80-proof. While vanilla made with bourbon way is excellent, it’s also a bit more rich with caramel undertones and so does lend a slightly subtle different flavor to your baked goods. For true classic flavor, stick with vodka (but I’m sure I haven’t made a compelling case for you against bourbon, and I have a few bottles of bourbon-based myself!).

You do not need to buy the most expensive alcohol, in fact I recommend sticking with a mid-shelf brand like Smirnoff. Not only will this let the flavor of the bean shine, you won’t notice the difference in the end result between this extract and one made with top shelf vodka.

Other Materials:

You’ll need a glass container in which to store your homemade vanilla extract. I like to use these cute glass bottles that I found on Amazon. You can also purchase bottles with an amber tint, which helps protect them from the sunlight and keeps the vanilla from going bad (since I store mine in a cool, dark pantry a clear bottle is fine).

A funnel will help neatly pour the vodka into the small 4 oz bottle. If you don’t have one, pour the alcohol into a measuring cup with a spout first and then pour from that into the bottle. It’s much less messy than pouring directly into the bottle!

Last but not least, slap a label on your vanilla so you know when it’s ready! While you can just write this on a post it or piece of tape and stick it to the bottle, I have a set of free printables so you can use the same labels that I do. The link is in the recipe card, simply print them on sticker paper, cut, and stick them to your bottles. For a finishing touch, baker’s twine or ribbon adds a nice pop of color, especially if you’re giving the extract as a gift!

How to Make Vanilla Extract

Check your vanilla beans against the size of your bottle. They need to be able to fit neatly in the bottle and be completely submerged by the liquid. Mine typically need to be cut in half for this, so cut as needed. Then, split the beans lengthwise with kitchen shears or a sharp knife to expose all of the tiny vanilla seeds.

Place the beans in bottles and pour vodka, or your liquor of choice over top. Make sure the beans are completely submerged and leave at least a small bit of space between the vodka and the top of the bottle.

Now the hardest part is to wait. For vanilla extract to fully develop its flavor, it needs to sit for at least 3 months in a cool, dark place. Make sure to shake it occasionally to help infuse the flavor! The longer it sits, the more flavorful it will become.

Ingredients

▢½ cup mid-shelf vodka, like Smirnoff¹ (4oz/118ml)

▢2-3 whole vanilla beans² I use and recommend grade B Madagascar vanilla beans, see note. Two vanilla beans yield a standard and flavorful vanilla, 3 will yield an extra strong flavor.

Recommended Equipment

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4 oz bottles

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Funnel

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Printable labels. Click link to view and print. Print on sticker paper then cut out and attach to bottles.

Instructions

Thoroughly clean, wash, and dry bottles and lids that you’ll be using. Cut vanilla beans so that they will fit inside your bottles.

Split beans lengthwise so that the tiny seeds are exposed.

Place cut vanilla beans in bottle. Fit funnel over the top of the bottle and add liquor until the beans are fully submerged. Leave a little bit of space at the top of the bottle so that you will be able to shake the contents as they sit.

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. Store vanilla for at least 3 months before using.

Notes

Alcohol

¹Alternatively, for a richer flavor you can substitute bourbon. A mid-shelf liquor is perfect for this recipe, don’t bother with splurging on anything expensive as it’s not worth it in the end result. I usually use Smirnoff brand but anything similar will work

Vanilla Beans

²I typically buy my beans from Beanilla.com and have always been satisfied with the high quality, plump beans.

Storing

Store in a cool, dark place. Homemade vanilla should keep for up to 5 years, but if it smells unpleasant or is cloudy you should discard. You can replenish your vanilla extract supply by simply adding more alcohol as you use it.

Nutrition

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

Can I double/triple/etc. this recipe?

Yes! This recipe scales very well. I use 2-3 beans for every 4 oz, so simply increase this as needed to make more vanilla. Sometimes I’ll make a large batch and store it in a mason jar.

How long does homemade vanilla extract last?

If stored in a clean bottle in a cool, dark place, it will keep for several years. It does not need to be (and should not be) refrigerated or frozen. I have a batch of vanilla I’ve kept going for several years now, every time I use it I just top off the bottle with a splash more vodka.

Can I make this alcohol free?

Personally I have only ever made homemade vanilla extract with alcohol, however some sources indicate that it can be made using food-grade vegetable glycerin. You may find this article on making non-alcoholic vanilla to be a good guide if you are searching for non-alcoholic options.

Can I make clear vanilla?

Real vanilla extract is made with vanilla beans, which will always tint the liquid that they’re in a brown color. Clear extract is made with synthetic vanillin and is artificially flavored. It can’t be made using real beans and so unfortunately you cannot make a “real” clear vanilla extract.

Is it worth making your own vanilla extract?

I think homemade vanilla extract is great! It’s inexpensive, easy to make, and very delicious! Definitely worth the effort!

Can I use other kinds of liquor in vanilla extract?

Yes, this recipe scales well. Any kind of liquor can be used, I typically use vodka but have also used bourbon with good results. You can also use grain alcohol like Everclear or Bacardi 151 for a more potent (and less expensive) batch of vanilla.

Can I ship homemade vanilla extract?

I haven’t tried this, but I would imagine it would be fine. Just in case, you may want to print on the label that the contents of the package are flammable.

How do I make vanilla sugar?

Place a few split beans in a glass jar and cover with sugar. It’s best to use raw cane or demerara sugars for this as they will dissolve much more readily. Allow the beans to sit for at least 3 weeks before using. To use, just add a scoop of vanilla sugar to your coffee or tea! You can also store unused vanilla shavings in an air-tight container for up to 6 months.

Homemade vanilla extract is very easy to make and tastes great! Best of all, you don’t pay nearly as much for a bottle of vanilla extract at the store as you would by buying it, and you get to have a large supply on hand for all kinds of recipes or gifts! As always, I hope this recipe helps you make your own homemade vanilla extract and enjoy the experience. If there are any questions I didn’t cover in this tutorial, please feel free to ask me in the comments or contact me. I love tips from my readers! Happy brewing