Go Back
+ servings

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract: An easy guide to making pure vanilla extract right at home. Just 2 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep needed!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Author: Lexi

Ingredients

  • 5 grade B vanilla beans
  • 1 cup vodka We Like Tito's gluten-free vodka

Instructions

  • Wash and sanitize your bottles and lids. Using a sharp pairing knife, slice vanilla beans in half. Scrape out beans using the back of the knife and place inside of a clean 8 ounce jar. Continue with the remaining vanilla beans. Once they have all been scraped, cut beans in half or to fit jar.
  • Place cut beans inside the jar and pour in 1 cup of vodka and cover with a tight fitting lid. Let sit at room temperature for at least 6 weeks before use, 8 is ideal! The longer you let it sit, the more flavor it has!
  • Storing: Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place like your pantry or a cabinet!

Notes

  • Make more than one jar at a time so that you never run out! When one jar starts to get low, simply place a few more scraped vanilla beans into the jar, top it off with some vodka, then set it aside while you start on your second jar. You can have a constant rotation of homemade vanilla on hand!
  • Keep adding to it... Make sure the vanilla beans are always covered with vodka to avoid mold! You can refill your vanilla extract with more vodka as it runs out, so essentially you'll always have it!
  • We love to have the flecks of vanilla bean in the extract, but if you like it a little cleaner, you can save the beans for another use or strain the extract before you use it.
  • Gift them! Make your homemade extract into a cute holiday gift by packaging it up into small jars, adding a cute label, and a tying it up with some ribbon.