How to Make Vanilla Extract At Home

Lately, I’ve notice that the price of vanilla has been increasing and getting a little ridiculous. I don’t know what’s going on that’s driving up the price of vanilla but it’s getting expensive and the amount you’re getting isn’t worth it. I’ve seen a little 2 oz bottle of pure vanilla extract cost at least $12.

In my house we use a lot of vanilla so it starts to add up when you buy it on a regular basis. I thought with the money I’m spending on buying vanilla, why not use it to buy the ingredients I need to make my own vanilla extract at home. It’s pretty easy to make and all you need are some fresh vanilla beans, a bottle of your favorite vodka or bourbon.

The price of the vanilla beans depends on the type, grade and quantity you buy so it may seem like you’re paying a lot more money when you make your own vanilla extract but that all depends on the quality of the vanilla beans you choose to use. The higher quality the beans are the more it will cost.

But by making it yourself, you are actually paying less per ounce and getting a lot more than what you would buy in the supermarket plus its pure. I get the vanilla beans online from Amazon since its cheaper there. These are the vanilla beans I used.

These vanilla beans are reusable so you can leave them in the bottle and as you use the vanilla, refill the bottle with the vodka to make more vanilla.

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Get the printable recipe here.

Ingredients:

1 750ml bottle of vodka, bourbon or rum

12 whole vanilla beans

Directions:

1. Pour out 1 cup of the vodka or bourbon from the bottle and store in a resealable container.

2. Slice each vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Using the tip of your knife, carefully scrape all of the vanilla seeds from the bean and add it to the bottle of vodka. Place the entire vanilla bean in the bottle. Repeat this for all of the bean pods and make sure that the alcohol covers all of the bean pods.

3. Close the bottle and store in a dark place at room temperature for at least two months. The longer you let the beans sit, the better the vanilla tastes.

4. Use in any recipe that calls for vanilla extract.

Note:

You can leave the vanilla beans in the bottle and as you use the vanilla extract, refill the bottle with the alcohol you originally removed from the bottle and let it sit to continue making more vanilla.

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Have any questions or comments about this homemade vanilla extract recipe? Share them in the comments below!