Do you ever wonder How to Make Vanilla Extract at Home? It’s super easy! All you need are vanilla beans, alcohol (such as Vodka), and a glass bottle. Perfect for personal use or gifting.
HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT RECIPE
For quite some time, I have heard about people making their own vanilla extract at home. However, I never thought it was something I needed to make since there are excellent pure vanilla extracts in the market. But when I found myself blowing through a $16 8-ounce bottle of vanilla extract in one frenetic baking week, I changed my mind.
I was a little skeptical about how good homemade vanilla extract could be compared to commercial brands, but even so, I decided to give it a try. That was a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.
After I fell in love with Homemade Vanilla Extract, I bought a big bag of vanilla beans, some cute bottles, and, of course, alcohol.
As for alcohol, I like to use Vodka since it’s the one that has the most neutral flavor, but the extract also can be made with bourbon, brandy, or rum. Actually, I made one with bourbon to use only in recipes I want to add that special and unique flavor.
Let’s get started!!!
Ingredients Notes & Substitutions
- Vanilla Beans: You can find vanilla beans at most major grocery stores in the spice aisle. If you can’t find them, try purchasing them online. I buy mines at Amazon. The vanilla beans can be grade A or B. Grade B vanilla beans are drier and more brittle than grade A, but they’re ideal for extracting since they yield the most flavor. However, you can use grade A if that you have handy.
- Alcohol: Vanilla extract is mostly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I made one with bourbon to use only in recipes I want to add that special and unique flavor.
- Glass Bottles: You can use any glass bottle you want, just make sure they a has very tight seal.
- Funnel: The funnel is optional but very handy when filling out the bottle. It makes the process quick and easy without spilling any alcohol.
HOW MANY VANILLA BEANS DO I NEED TO MAKE VANILLA EXTRACT
The radio is 2 vanilla beans for 2 oz. of alcohol to make a super concentrate vanilla extract (Double-Fold). However, to make a less concentrated extract (Single-Fold), you can use 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of alcohol.
Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Split each vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
- Place the vanilla beans in a clean bottle or jar.
- Fill up the bottle with alcohol until the vanilla beans are completely submerged. Cover the bottle and give it a good shake. Infuse for at least 8 weeks, shaking it once per week.
QUICK TIPS
- You can chop the beans into smaller pieces to fit in your jar or bottle, if necessary.
- If the bottles are for gifting and have been less than 6 months infusing, I recommend gifting them with the beans in the bottle because there are still lots of flavors there!
- As you begin to use your vanilla extract, you can refill with a little vodka each time. After a year of using and refilling, remove old beans, add fresh beans, shake, and continue to use/refill.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MAKE YOUR OWN VANILLA EXTRACT
These were my costs to make six 8oz bottles:
I bought 2 bottles of Vodka= $32
6 glass bottles= $18 (my bottles are from World Market and Home Goods)
30 Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla beans= $36 (Amazon).
Cost= $14.33 per each bottle (8 oz)
NON-ALCOHOLIC HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT
I haven’t tried this myself but you can make vanilla extract without alcohol. To do so, use 3 parts vegetable glycerin mixed with one part water. Make sure to buy the one listed as “food-grade.”
To make an 8oz bottle, you’ll need 6 oz (178 ml) vegetable glycerin + 2 oz (60 ml) water.
EDIBLE HOMEMADE GIFT IDEA
These Homemade Vanilla Extracts are the best homemade gifts you can make on a budget. I can assure you that everyone will LOVE it. Seriously. Who does not use vanilla extract?
IMPORTANT NOTE
Let the vanilla beans infuse for at least 3 – 4 weeks or even more for a stronger flavor. If giving this as a gift before the infusion process is completed, ask your lucky recipient to let it infuse for XX number of weeks. It is worth the wait!
FREE PRINTABLE TAG FOR HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT BOTTLE
To make them even more special I created a beautiful printable tag that you can download by clicking the link below. I used some colorful flax cord to tie them to the bottle and voila… the perfect edible present!
Free Printable
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How to Make Vanilla Extract at Home
Ingredients
- 5 – 6 vanilla beans (I used grade B)
- 8 oz Vodka
Instructions
- Split each vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
- Place the vanilla beans in a clean glass bottle or jar.
- Fill up the bottle with alcohol until the vanilla beans are completely submerged. Cover the bottle and give it a good shake. Infuse for at least 8 weeks, shaking it from once per week—ideally, let it infuse for 6 months.
- After your vanilla extract has been infusing for at least 8 weeks, use it in your favorite recipes. As you begin to use your vanilla extract, you can refill with a little vodka each time. After a year of using and refilling, remove old beans, add fresh beans, shake, and continue to use/refill.
- You can chop the beans into smaller pieces to fit in your jar or bottle, if necessary.
- Let the vanilla beans infuse for at least 8 weeks or even more for a stronger flavor. If giving this as a gift before the infusion process is completed, ask your lucky recipient to let it infuse for XX number of weeks. It is worth the wait!
- If the bottles are for gifting and have been less than 6 months infusing, I recommend gifting them with the beans in the bottle because there are still lots of flavors there!
- As you begin to use your vanilla extract, you can refill with a little vodka each time. After a year of using and refilling, remove old beans, add fresh beans, shake, and continue to use/refill.
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Originally posted December 2015, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe in August 2021.
