Homemade Vanilla Extract

Making your own large batch homemade vanilla extract is not only easy to do, but it smells and tastes wonderful, makes the perfect gift, and the beans can still be used once you’re done!

Why this recipe works:

If you’re looking for kitchen tips and tricks to make your cooking delicious and fill your pantry with homemade staples, you’re going to love this!

• Bottled up, this homemade vanilla extract makes a perfect holiday gift for friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.
• This recipe makes a large batch of vanilla, providing you enough to use throughout the year as well as share with friends.
• High quality vanilla beans, two large bottles of vodka, and lots of time are all that is needed to make the most delicious and aromatic vanilla extract.
• You can pull a fresh vanilla bean from the batch any time you need one from the jar.
• It won’t go bad plus it is incredibly easy to make. See the video below!
• Just add more vodka to the bottle once the level goes down – you won’t need to buy more vanilla beans for a LONG time, if ever.

Here’s how to make it:

1. The process starts with about 80 vanilla beans. Using a sharp knife, you will slice them lengthwise leaving the end in tact. Take care not to remove any of the seeds inside the pod.
2. You will add all of the split vanilla beans to a glass gallon-sized mason jar with a screw top lid.  
3. Then, simply pour two 750mL bottles of vodka into the jar. Side note: I had my son help me make the vanilla, but obviously he didn’t consume anything he was pouring!
4. Shake and wait.  Simply store the jar in a dark location and give it a swirl every so often to distribute the vanilla. The longer it soaks, the more intense vanilla flavor you will get.

Helpful information:

• Cost: Since I originally created my first batch of vanilla, the price of vanilla bean pods has skyrocketed. Although vanilla is expensive everywhere you go, I still think this is the most cost effective way to get vanilla extract because you can continue to add more vodka as the level decreases without having to purchase additional vanilla beans.
• Vanilla beans: I have purchased them in bulk by the pound from Beanilla and Olive Nation. One pound will give you more than enough. Mexican vanilla beans are the best in my opinion, but Madagascar and Tahitian are fantastic as well.
• Vodka: I went with something in the low to low-mid cost range and my vanilla was wonderful.  I don’t think it is necessary to buy top shelf.
• Gifts: I bought a couple dozen 4-oz amber Boston round glass bottles and filled them with my homemade vanilla extract. Then I had a friend who is an amazing graphic designer design some great labels in exchange for a bottle of vanilla. They made the best Christmas gifts!

Related recipes:

Quite possibly the best thing about making your own homemade vanilla extract is being able to use fresh plump vanilla beans whenever you want.

Just keep your vanilla extract topped off with vodka at all times and you’ll always have both vanilla extract and vanilla beans available.

Here are some of my favorite recipes that are made using vanilla beans:

• Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
• Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Frosting
• Vanilla Bean Honeycrisp Applesauce
• Salted Vanilla Bean Caramels
• Vanilla Fudge
• Homemade Vanilla Pudding
• Canned Peaches
• Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies
• Pear Vanilla Jam

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Prep30 minutes mins

soak time180 days d

Total180 days d 30 minutes mins

Servings 24

Author Krissy Allori

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Making your own homemade vanilla extract is not only easy to do, but the vanilla you extract smells and tastes wonderful and the beans can still be used once you’re done! Bottled up, this homemade vanilla extract makes a perfect holiday gift for friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.

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Video

Ingredients 

½x1x2x

• ▢ 80 vanilla beans pods split lengthwise
• ▢ 1500 milliliters vodka

Instructions 

• Split each pod lengthwise with a sharp paring knife, keeping the tip in tact and the seeds in the pod.
• Add split pods to clean empty gallon sized glass mason jar.
• Add vodka.
• Tightly screw on lid. Carefully shake contents of jar. Store in cool dark place.
• Shake contents of jar weekly.
• Allow 6-12 months for flavors to properly develop.
• Use fine mesh filter to separate the liquid from the solids. Use funnel to pour into 24 separate 4 ounce amber Boston Globe glass bottles.

Notes

• Cost: Since I originally created my first batch of vanilla, the price of vanilla bean pods has skyrocketed. Although vanilla is expensive everywhere you go, I still think this is the most cost effective way to get vanilla extract because you can continue to add more vodka as the level decreases without having to purchase additional vanilla beans.
• Vanilla beans: I have purchased them in bulk by the pound from Beanilla and Olive Nation. One pound will give you more than enough. Mexican vanilla beans are the best in my opinion, but Madagascar and Tahitian are fantastic as well.
• Vodka: I went with something in the low to low-mid cost range and my vanilla was wonderful.  I don’t think it is necessary to buy top shelf.
• Gifts: I bought a couple dozen 4-oz amber Boston round glass bottles and filled them with my homemade vanilla extract. Then I had a friend who is an amazing graphic designer design some great labels in exchange for a bottle of vanilla. They made the best Christmas gifts!

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Fat: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me a comment below

This recipe was originally published in October 2014 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don’t worry – the recipe hasn’t changed!