Homemade vanilla extract is so easy to make, and it tastes amazing! This simple DIY tutorial will show you how you can make your own with a few easy steps.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
I’ve been making homemade vanilla extract for over 10 years now.
A friend asked me how I make my vanilla extract, so today I’m going to show you how. It couldn’t be easier!
In the years since I started making vanilla, the price of vanilla beans has gone up considerably. However, I still consider homemade vanilla to be superior to what you can find at the store.
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Homemade Vanilla Extract Supplies
In order to make vanilla extract, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and supplies.
- vanilla beans
- alcohol (vodka yields a more “traditional” vanilla flavor)
- kitchen shears or knife
- Mason jar or other glass container (I used these jars)
- flip-top jar to store completed vanilla extract (this is optional, but it’s easier to pour)
In the past, I always used vodka to make my vanilla extract, but then a friend suggested that I try rum.
I decided to put the vanilla beans right in the bottle of rum.
This worked out well, and it was very easy, but we all decided we prefer vanilla made with vodka. The rum gives it a different flavor. Not bad, just not our favorite.
How to Make Vanilla Extract
First, you just need some empty jars, vodka, and vanilla beans.
You can also just put the vanilla beans straight into the container of alcohol, like I did in the photo of the rum, above.
I use my kitchen scissors to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, stopping about an inch from the end. You can also just use a sharp knife, but the scissors are easier, I think.
The two halves of the bean will still be connected, like this:
You can also cut the beans smaller than this. Just make sure they stay covered in the alcohol the entire time, with none of the vanilla beans sticking out.
So, if you’re using a smaller/shorter container, I would recommend cutting the beans in 1″ pieces.
After slicing the beans down the center, put them in a glass jar. I use approximately 1 ounce of beans for every cup (8 ounces) of alcohol.
Sometimes I’ve used fewer beans, but this is a general rule of thumb.
Add vodka to your jars, leaving enough head space for shaking.
Add the lid and shake the jar/bottle to mix everything up.
Store the jars tightly closed in a cool, dark place for 4 months or longer. Occasionally give them a good shake.
On the left (below), you can see the vanilla I just started, and on the right is some completed vanilla that has been transferred to a flip-top bottle.
After a day or two, your vanilla extract should be looking darker, like this:
That’s all there is to it!
Homemade vanilla extract will last for a very long time in your pantry.
Homemade Vanilla for Gift-Giving
After the vanilla is ready to use, you can also transfer it to more decorative bottles, as I did in the photo below (from several years ago).
When I made the vanilla below, I simply cut the vanilla beans smaller (into 1″ pieces) and made the vanilla right in the glass bottles with corks.
These make great gifts!
Supplies Used in This Post
In order to make vanilla extract, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and supplies.
- vanilla beans
- alcohol (vodka yields a more “traditional” vanilla flavor)
- kitchen shears or knife
- Mason jar or other glass container (I used these jars)
- flip-top jar to store completed vanilla extract (this is optional, but it’s easier to pour)
Pin it for Later:
How long does the extract’s flavor last? How do I store it AFTER using it and for how long? Wonderful, simple idea!!!
Thanks!
Janet
Hi Janet! I store my vanilla extract in a glass bottle in the pantry. Usually I just leave the vanilla beans in the bottle. The flavor can last for years, and it just gets stronger as time goes on.
Great post. I’ve always wanted to make my own vanilla extract but have been discouraged by the cost of good vanilla beans. I just don’t bake enough for it to be worth it. lol.
Jamie
http://diyhsh.com/
Thanks, Jamie! They do seem expensive until you realize that one bag will make quite a bit of vanilla. 🙂
I’ve always wanted to try making my own extract. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
It’s so easy! Thanks for hosting!
I made vanilla last year and it is even better than before. – Margy
It’s so much fun to make, isn’t it?
I really have wanted to try this, so I'm pinning this post!
Thanks for visiting, Andrea, and thanks for pinning! I still make all of our vanilla extract. It's so simple and so good!
I made a batch last fall to give as Christmas gifts. It was a hit! I have several ppl ask me for more from my "reserve" (read huge vodka bottle in my pantry, lol). I also knitted washcloths and gave those with the vanilla. 🙂
Wonderful! It does make a lovely handmade gift, and so do the knitted washcloths! I have a huge batch of vanilla in my pantry steeping right now. 🙂
Hello, I'm wondering how you can tell when the Vanilla Extract is ready to use for baking. Also you mentioned that it is best o keep the vanilla in a cool dark place, so would the extract do better being kept in the refrigerator vs in the cupboard at room temperature?
I've always heard that the longer you steep it the better the flavor. Some have suggested a minimum of 6 months, but that's not set in stone. When it's dark and has a strong vanilla scent, then I use mine. I think room temperature is best, and there's no need to refrigerate vanilla. It keeps very well in the cupboard or pantry. I keep 1/2 gallon jars of vanilla on the shelves in my basement while they're steeping. Hope that helps!
Do you find that using a higher quality vodka (i.e. Smirnoff) makes the vanilla extract better tasting??
I bought vanilla beans via Amazon (the ones you suggested here) and will buy vodka this week to make the vanilla extract. I wasn't sure if the quality of vodka made a difference.
I just use whatever my husband brings me, and it always tastes the same to me. 🙂 I'm not sure if the quality would make any difference or not. The main purpose of the alcohol is just to extract the vanilla from the vanilla beans, so I think buying high-quality vanilla beans is the most crucial aspect. Hope you enjoy making it!
Thanks! I'm exited to make my own vanilla.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! Will be saving it for when I get some vanilla beans. I just found the perfect bottle to store it in, so I'm excited. 🙂
Thanks so much for leaving a comment, Rachel! I hope you enjoy making it!
Our missionary friends from Indonesia just gave me some vanilla beans she brought back from Indonesia. I'm going to be making this later today, if time allows. 🙂
Thanks for sharing,
Jennie
How fun! I hope you like it!
Hi Joy, thank you for your post and lovely pictures! I was inspired and have my beans extracting as I type. =) However, as I have researched the topic a bit more, I came across a comment stating that sugar is a very important ingredient in the extraction process. Any thoughts? You must be happy with the quality/flavor of your homemade extract, without adding a sweetener. Thank you! Lena
Thanks, Lena! We have been very happy with our vanilla, and I've been making it for several years now. I don't know why the sugar would be necessary, and this works well for us!
Thank you Joy! =) Am looking forward to giving the vanilla extract as Christmas presents this year.
We also educated our sons at home, until they went away to college. Thriving in their faith, they are now grown, gone, in grad school, and we still speak with them (sometimes) several times a day. As one who is no longer connected to a home schooling community, and saddened to see fewer and fewer moms recognizing the immeasurable value of being "stay-at-home" moms, your blog has been a pleasant encouragement and reminder of our little family twenty years ago. =)
BTW, I am also a "curly girl", and though my curls are much thinned as I have aged, I still love them. My favorite products are: Curls Rock Shampoo by Tigi, Ouidad Playcurl Volumizing Conditioner, Ouidad's Tress Effects Styling Gel, and a MUST for any curly head, Ouidad's Deep Treatment, which I use twice a year. The Deep Treatment is worth every penny. Though the products can be pricey, I make them last a long time by adding a bit of distilled water to the bottles, and using the products sparingly.
I think it's a great idea for Christmas presents!
Thank you so much for sharing about your home educated sons. It's always encouraging to hear from those who have walked this path before us.
Thanks also for mentioning your favorite curly hair products. I have seen so many great reviews of Ouidad products…it's the price that has held me back from trying them. I did receive a sample of one of the Ouidad styling gels, and I hope to try it soon. That's a great idea to stretch the more expensive products with distilled water–I'll have to try that! I've been using a Jason Biotin shampoo and conditioner (from Vitacost) that I really like. It works so well with my hair. I'm still looking for a gel that I just love. Maybe I'll have to try that Ouidad one you mentioned.
Thanks again!
Not sure what is wrong with my vanilla. It still has a strong alcohol smell and have been steeping the vanilla since July '11. Have tried adding more vanilla beans and put it into new jar. But still smells so much like vodka. What am I doing wrong? However it is dark in color.
It doesn't sound like you've done anything wrong. The vodka is still there when you make vanilla, so you may still notice an alcohol smell. The only change that occurs is that the alcohol extracts the vanilla from the vanilla beans and infuses the alcohol with a vanilla scent and flavor. But it is still alcohol. If it is dark in color and smells at all like vanilla, then it sounds like it was a success to me! 🙂
ok, thanks for getting back to me. Guess I won't give it another thought.
Just followed your link to amazon and ordered the beans to get started….as well as some very lovely jars!!! Thanks for the tute….I found you thru your response at raising olives…so glad I did!!! Your newest follower~~blessings, angela
Hi Angela!
Thank you so much for letting me know that you're planning to make some vanilla! It's such a simple thing to do, and yet it's useful and saves money, too.
And thank you so much for following! I'll be coming to visit you soon!
I think that I am going to have to try this. (Your pictures make are so great they make the whole process look beautiful!
Tara @ http://simplymadehome.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a nice comment, Tara! I think you'll love making vanilla!
Thanks for the tutorial…I have been wanting to do this for a while now….I am going to check out your link for vanilla beans!
Thanks!
Deanna
Thanks, Deanna!
I heard about how to do this last year, but never got around to making it. I think I'm going to give it a go this year!
It's so easy that I'm sure you'll love it!
I would really like to do this.. but wonderwhat people would think if I bought vodka at 8 months pregnant LOL
My Mama Moments is here: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/05/extended-breastfeeding.html
Yes, that might be interesting to know what people were thinking! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I can smell it looking at the picture. I really like vanilla. I think I will try this soon. Thanks you
It's so fun to make…enjoy!
yum! I made a huge batch straight in the vodka bottle, lol. i had to pour some of it out first, but it worked. I was going to ask how long you thought it would last but i see you already answered. i would think if it is in vodka it is good (for shelf life anyway, lol). Thanks
That's a great idea! And I imagine it would pour out easily from the vodka bottle. I read somewhere that it can last for years, but we always use ours up faster than that. 🙂
Thank you Joy for the beautiful tutorial. This has always been on my list to try – I have to get brave and go buy the vodka – lol.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Marci! I know what you mean about buying the vodka…it's always fun to have a shopping cart full of groceries and children and bottles of vodka–I'm sure the checkout people wonder what I'm going to do with it! 🙂
I have always wanted to know how to do this! Thank you for sharing!
You're welcome, Emily!
I made vanilla extract, starting in December. I used one full bottle of vodka and 15 pods. I found that leaving it for 4 months was best, the taste was far stronger. I plan to make up another bottle to let it sit much longer to strengthen the flavour. It is far nicer than the bought version.
Thanks so much for sharing how you make vanilla, Joluise! I think you're right about letting it sit longer and imparting a stronger flavor. I know ours just gets stronger and better the older it gets.
And I would agree…it's so much nicer than store bought (as most homemade things seem to be)!
Thanks for sharing this. I'm going to try it and it's a great idea to give as gifts. I'll be pinning this post to my Pinterest file. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for visiting, Gail!