The best time to make homemade vanilla extract was 6 months ago but the second best time to make it is right now! It’s an easy swap if you’re into making things homemade and it also makes for a great gift! 

One thing I NEVER skimp on in the kitchen is vanilla extract. From a young age I always turned my nose up at ‘imitation’ anything. When it comes to vanilla or maple syrup… give me the real thing! 

Post 2020 I noticed the cost of vanilla at Costco kept creeping up. Not only that but the size of the bottle got smaller AND it went from glass to plastic. So overall the value was going down. So I looked into making my own and it’s so easy! 

Why make your own?

For the reasons stated previously and… because it’s better! Most of the reason I make anything homemade is because I can make it better with higher quality ingredients compared to what’s available at the store. By making your own you can choose higher quality beans that have a fuller richer flavor. You will also be able to make more extract for a better price! 

What makes ‘pure’ vanilla extract?

According to the FDA you need 13.35oz of vanilla beans per gallon of 70 proof alcohol. This translates to .83 oz of vanilla beans per every 8 oz of alcohol. On average 1 ounce of madagascar beans would equate to 6-8 beans. That’s why you see a variation of recipes from 5 beans to 10 beans per 8 ounces of alcohol. 

Obviously no two beans are identical in size so for accuracy you can use a kitchen scale however, this recipe doesn’t need to be exact. If you are making it at home and not selling it, just enjoy the process and don’t get too caught up in precision! 

Ingredients

Vanilla beans 

There are multiple types of vanilla beans. The following are the most popular:

• Madagascar – rich and creamy. 
• Mexican – bold, dark, and smokey. 
• Tahitian – more floral with a hint of cherry-chocolate. 

For a traditional vanilla flavor, choose Madagascar beans. 

There are also two grades of vanilla beans – grade A and grade B. Grade A is higher quality, they are usually larger, have a better moisture content, and have more vanilla bean paste. Because of this higher quality, they are typically more expensive. Grade B beans have a moisture content less than 25% and can be dry and brittle making it harder to get any vanilla bean paste. 

Either grade A or B beans can be used to make extract! The only difference is that because grade B has less moisture, they will weigh less so more beans will be needed to produce the extract. If using grade B vanilla beans, I would recommend weighing the beans before bottling your extract. 

I have used these beans from Amazon and these beans from Vanilla Bean Kings and both worked great! 

Alcohol 

Vodka is usually the most common choice of alcohol. It needs to be at least 35% alcohol (70 proof). You can also try rum, bourbon, or brandy for different flair. The quality of the alcohol won’t change the flavor so don’t worry about buying top shelf. I usually buy the vodka from Costco.

Bottles 

I like to repurpose glass bottles from salad dressings or vinegar. To save on space you can use larger bottles while waiting for the vanilla to be done and then transfer to smaller bottles for gifting. The recipe below is for an 8oz bottle, but you can always double or triple it to match the size of your bottle. 

Here are a could sizes that are great for gifting:

8oz bottles

4oz bottles 

How to make homemade vanilla extract

Making the vanilla is really simple! The most difficult ingredient is time! Vanilla is ready to use around 6 months, but the flavor continues to improve if you let it sit longer. I prefer to let mine sit for 12 months.

• Step 1 – Slit the vanilla beans long ways without cutting through the bean. Depending on the length of the bean, you may also want to trim the length
• Step 2 – Add the vanilla beans to your bottle (1 ounce or 6-8 beans). 
• Step 3 – Submerge the vanilla in alcohol of choice.
• Step 4 – Store the glass bottles in a cool, dark place for 6-12 months. I like to shake them whenever I remember! Don’t forget to date your bottle! For details on how you know the vanilla is done, read on!
• Step 5 – Remove your beans and store in a cool dark place. 

How do I know my homemade vanilla is done? 

I go by look and smell! If you placed your beans in a clear glass container, you should see the color develop from clear to a deep amber color. 

Vanilla extract will always have some alcohol smell, but when the vanilla is done, it should have a vanilla smell first and alcohol second. During the first few months when I open a bottle it usually smells mostly like vodka. As the extract develops, the vanilla aroma comes to the front. 

While the extract can usually be used at the 6 month mark, I usually like to wait until it’s 12 months old so it is deep in color and I know the vanilla taste and smell is primary to the alcohol. Another way to know its done is to taste test it! Compare your homemade vanilla to the store bought version you have on hand.

Gifting Homemade Vanilla Extract

It’s ideal to have the homemade vanilla fully done before you gift it, but you can still gift it even if it’s not done! Just make sure you put the 6 month date and instructions for removing the beans. Add a cute label and some ribbon and wah-lah, the easiest homemade gift you’ll ever make!