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:
- 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.
- You will add all of the split vanilla beans to a glass gallon-sized mason jar with a screw top lid.
- 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!
- 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
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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CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
Hover to scale: 24
Ingredients
- 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 INFORMATION
Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 2g
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This recipe was originally published in April 2019 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!
Diane
Plan on making this very soon. I have wanted to for year's!!
Joanne
Thank you for responding. I hate to keep asking you questions but I excel at being the village idiot :p You are using 80 beans per 1 gallon jar right? I'm not sure as the recipe shows 80 beans ( pods split lengthwise ) . That just means to split the 80 beans not 40 beans split to make 80. Thank you again.
Krissy
No questions are dumb! I use 8 whole beans. They're split but still connected at one end. Just so you know, I just added more vodka for the third time. The last time I had to buy beans was like 4 years ago!
Mary Ann
Hi if I follow your recipe and after 12 months pour out into bottles can I re use the beans and start all over waiting another year?
Krissy
Yes! I think I'm on year 5 of using the same beans?
Margaret
I started years ago with a pint jar and only 10, grade "A" pods. Vodka needs to completely cover and one inch more since any exposed pods can develop mold so cut down accordingly to fit jar. If vaccum pack is broken when vanilla pods arrive, return. Grades of pods you can look up. Also first batch can be twice the potency of "pure" vanilla extract from grocery store in two months of homemade. Time of potency is less for 2nd and 3rd batch, of course, if using same pods or amount of vodka used to top off. So fun to experiment with the time. Don't get discouraged. It is a blessing to have fabulous pure vanilla.
Joanne
Hi,
You say 80 beans so I am wondering how many ounces was the package of vanilla you purchased. Was that a 8 oz package extract grade beans? Thank you for posting your recipe.
Krissy
I bought a pound (16oz) and it gave me probably 100 beans. I think the quantity will depend on the type/size of the beans.
Jim
Where did you get those beautiful vanilla labels?
Krissy
I had my friend make them for me!
Jim
Where did you have those beautiful vanilla tags made and for what size bottles are they for? I bit my tongue and purchased 1/2 pound of beans yesterday as I want vanilla for next Christmas giving. The price is down slightly from the peak and this years crop looks promising with hopes of lower prices to come.
Krissy
Here's my friend's site who made the labels for me: https://modernmomentsdesigns.com/ I'm so glad the price of vanilla beans is coming back down! I still use the vanilla I made a couple years ago and just add more vodka if the level gets low. I keep it under lock and key now!
Janie Edgens
Where can you get the vanilla beans? My local stores don't carry it. How fresh to they need to be? Will it ruin the flavor?
Thank you!
Krissy
Hi Janie, I buy them in bulk online here: https://www.beanilla.com/vanilla/vanilla-beans Many are out of stock because there's a bit of a world wide vanilla shortage. They come vacuum sealed and are very fresh. Krissy
That's A Lot Of Vanilla Beans
Yes, hi.. Vanilla is amazing but how do you expect people to afford 80 vanilla beans? That's 500+ dollars. I need a breather. This looks amazing nonetheless.
Krissy
Hey there. Sooooooo... I guess there's a vanilla bean shortage, hence the price. When I made this post I got them for $100. Needless to say I closely guard what I have left of my homemade vanilla.
Michelle
Check on EBay as well. I found several places with pretty good deals. Not cheap but less than Amazon.
Paula
Do you put 40 in each large jar?
Krissy
yep!
Clay Pendleton
I made my own vanilla extract using Bourbon, Vodka, Rum and Brandy. They all have their special uses in cooking but for the best vanilla flavor, I feel using straight Vodka works out the best.
Equagold
have an endless supply of vanilla beans in my home since I make a colossal cluster of hand crafted vanilla concentrate. When I take the vanilla concentrate out of the jug to give away as occasion endowments, I keep on using
Marie
Just found this and am wondering how you store the beans from last year's extract? Do you dry them out again, or keep them in a liquid?
Krissy
Hi Marie, I pull the beans out, put them in a glass tupperware, sprinkle sugar on top (that mixes with the wet beans and makes sweet liquid) and just store them in the pantry. Because they're soaked in alcohol, they stay moist and delicious all year round! Krissy
Rachel
I made my own vanilla extract for the first time. It's been about 4 months, and it still smells very vodka-y, and only slightly vanilla-y. Does your ever lose its alcohol smell?
spfoodie
Hi Rachel, I've only made it twice - in 2013 when it soaked from Jan-Dec and this year that I started in Jan and won't open until this Dec. That being said, it smelled very boozy when I opened the lid, even after a year of soaking. When I bottled it, though, it smelled divine. I don't know if it needed some time for the vapor to disperse or it was just too concentrated in the big bottle, but the small bottles were exquisite. Hope that helps. Krissy
Laura Morita-Yeun
Um. You have my address, right?