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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.
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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 jars similar to these)
- 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
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
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 jars similar to these)
- flip-top jar to store completed vanilla extract (this is optional, but it’s easier to pour)
Pin it for Later:
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!