Last Updated on December 4, 2024 by Kiersten
Learn how to make your own endless supply of homemade vanilla extract with just two ingredients and a little bit of time.
Our kitchen is heavily used so naturally, we go through vanilla extract like crazy! Once upon a time, I could make those tiny 4oz bottles last a few months but now? No way.
I put homemade vanilla extract in everything from my morning cold brew to whipped cream and Instant Pot Greek yogurt.
Making homemade vanilla extract is a simple process that requires just a few ingredients and some patience.
Grade A vs Grade B Vanilla Beans
When making homemade vanilla extract, the type of vanilla bean you choose will impact the final flavor. The two main vanilla beans you’ll find are Grade A and Grade B vanilla beans.
Grade A vanilla beans are known for their plump, moist appearance and shiny surface. They offer a rich, complex vanilla flavor making them a popular choice for baking and cooking where the vanilla’s quality is of paramount importance. Their high moisture content makes them ideal for recipes where the vanilla flavor needs to stand out.
Grade B vanilla beans are drier, darker, and sometimes a bit wrinkled. These beans have a deeper, more intense vanilla flavor, which makes them particularly suited for making vanilla extract. The drier texture of Grade B beans allows them to infuse more effectively into alcohol, which is essential for extracting the full flavor.
While Grade A beans are perfect for recipes where vanilla is a key ingredient, Grade B beans are ideal for getting that deep, delicious vanilla flavor in your extract. So, for this purpose, I use grade B beans.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients:
- 5-6 Whole Grade B Vanilla Beans
- 8 ounces vodka
Instructions:
Prepare the Vanilla Beans: Slice each vanilla bean lengthwise from end to end. This exposes the tiny seeds inside, which are what create that strong vanilla flavor. You don’t need to split the beans completely in half—just enough to expose the seeds.
Transfer to a Bottle: Place the sliced vanilla beans into a clean glass bottle or mason jar. A pint-sized jar is a good choice for 1 cup of alcohol. If you’re making a larger batch, use a larger jar and adjust the number of vanilla beans and alcohol accordingly.
Add the Alcohol: Pour the vodka over the vanilla beans in the jar. Make sure the beans are fully submerged in the alcohol to ensure they infuse properly.
Seal and Shake: Tightly seal the jar with a lid. Give the jar a good shake to mix the vanilla beans and alcohol. This helps to start the infusion process.
Store and Wait: Store the jar in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Let it sit and infuse for at least 6-8 weeks. The longer you let it steep, the more intense the vanilla flavor will become. Shake the jar gently daily for the first week or two, then once a week to help with the extraction process.
Bottle and Use: The extract will continue to develop flavor over time, and you can top off the bottle with more alcohol as you use it, adding new vanilla beans as needed.
Pre-Made Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas
Homemade vanilla extract is not just perfect for baking, it’s essential for handmade gift baskets! I always write myself a calendar reminder during the summer to start a large bulk batch of extract in early September.
Having bottles of vanilla extract ready to go on the shelf in mid-November makes it a lot easier to put together last minute gifts for teachers, hostesses, and the marathon of holiday parties.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Learn how to make your own endless supply of homemade vanilla extract with just two ingredients and a little bit of time.
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 Whole Grade B Vanilla Beans
- 8 ounces vodka
Instructions
- Slice each vanilla bean lengthwise from end to end just enough to expose the beans inside.
- Place the sliced beans inside a clean glass bottle or mason jar.
- Pour vodka into the container until the vanilla beans are completely submerged. A funnel makes this easier but isn't necessary.
- Tighten the lid and shake the bottle to mix the alcohol and vanilla beans. This helps jump start the infusion process.
- Store the bottle in a dark cupboard or pantry for 6-8 weeks before use. Shake the bottle daily to promote extraction.
- Use your new homemade vanilla extract in all of your favorite recipes!
Notes
The extract will continue to develop flavor over time, and you can top off the bottle with more alcohol as you use it, adding new vanilla beans as needed.
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