Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract is hands down way better quality and far more cost efficient than anything you can buy at the store. Easily made with just two ingredients–vanilla beans and alcohol–it is worth making at home. After making it for years in restaurants and at home, I’m sharing all my tips for always keeping it in stock!

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

Vanilla extract made at home is far superior to almost anything you can buy at the store (though, to be fair, I do have a few favorite store-bought extracts). Not to mention, these days, the price of vanilla beans and vanilla extract can be incredibly steep. The vanilla market has been volatile for some time and vanilla has increasingly become more expensive; and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. Knowing this, it only makes sense to make it at home. I’m sharing all the tips I’ve gathered over the last few years for exactly how to do it. You only need two ingredients and, time. So, let’s get to it!

What do you need to make homemade vanilla extract?

You need only two ingredients:

• whole vanilla beans
• alcohol

Aside from that, you’ll need:

• a pairing knife, to cut the vanilla beans to size and to split in half
• jars

Let’s Talk Vanilla Beans

Vanilla beans are classified in two categories: Grade A and Grade B.

Grade A (also known as “prime” or “gourmet”) beans contain more moisture in the beans, and are generally desired for extracting the vanilla seeds, also known as the “caviar”.  Sounds fancy, huh? If you are looking to get the vanilla caviar to add to a dessert such as a creme brûlée, than you might want to buy Grade A because they will infuse quickly into a dessert. While you can certainly use Grade A beans for extract, it makes the most sense to use Grade B.

Grade B beans are the better choice for extract because they contain less moisture than Grade A and therefore have a higher concentration of flavor. However, because they are dry, they require a longer period of time to transfer the flavor. Sometimes, Grade B will be labeled as “split”. This is because Grade B are more dry, and they are more susceptible to splitting during the drying process. This has no impact on the extract itself, so go ahead and use Grade B split vanilla beans.

Beyond the grade of the beans, vanilla can be labeled with several different names. The name often refers to the region where they come from. Regardless of the label, vanilla beans can generally be divided into two different varietals: Planifolia beans (commonly listed from Madagascar or Mexico) and Tahitensis beans (commonly listed from Tahiti or Indonesian). Bourbon Madagascar vanilla beans have that classic vanilla flavor that most store-bought vanilla beans have. Tahitian vanilla beans have a more nuanced, floral flavor. All varietals will work for vanilla extract.

Vanilla is precious and therefor expensive, and there is no way around it. However, it’s more cost-efficient to purchase vanilla beans online, instead of buying them in the store. They can cost upwards of $10 for one vanilla bean when you purchase them in a store.

Here are two brands of vanilla beans that I personally use:

Vanilla Products USA

Slo Food Group

What Type of Alcohol To Use

Alcohol in this recipe is the “solvent,” or the substance that will transfer the flavor from the vanilla beans. The most important thing to note is the proof of alcohol used. It should be at least 80 proof alcohol. The most common type of alcohol to use is vodka. Vodka is flavorless and odorless, so it really lets the vanilla shine through. However, don’t buy flavored vodka, as it will take away from the delicate vanilla flavor.

I would not recommend buying the absolute cheapest brand of vodka, but instead buy one that you would be okay with actually drinking. If you don’t drink, and aren’t sure which brand to buy, go on the safe side and buy a medium priced brand. This advice is contrary to what most other recipes recommend. My mindset is this: I wouldn’t use a type of wine to cook with that I hated the taste of, so I don’t want to use a vodka in an extract that would be horrible to drink. I know this from experience. I’ve made that mistake of using the cheap stuff, and that batch of extract wasn’t very good… especially when used in no bake desserts.

You can also try making extract with other alcohol such as rum (either clear or spiced), bourbon or brandy. But do know, the flavor of that alcohol can come through in the final product, so try to pair with a baked good that would be enhanced by it.

How to Make Vanilla Extract

Very simply put, to make vanilla extract you must infuse the solvent (in this case, it is the alcohol) with the vanilla beans.  There are a few different ways to do this, but the most important thing to keep track of is the ratio of vanilla beans to extract when you make it for the first time (more on that later). There are many different recommendations out there for the amount of beans to alcohol, but I recommend actually paying attention to the weight of the beans vs. the count. Vanilla beans can vary in size and therefore, one bunch of smaller beans will yield an extract that is weaker than one bunch of bigger beans.

To begin a batch of extract, use a ratio of 1 ounce of beans to 1 cup (8 ounces) of alcohol. How many beans that actually is will vary but it is most commonly 5-8 vanilla beans. Kitchen scales come in handy here!

Once you have chosen what jar you are using, you want to figure out how many ounces of alcohol it will hold, then determine how many beans by weight you should include.

Then, you’ll want to cut off 1/2″ from both ends of the vanilla bean, and set those aside for later. Next, carefully run a knife down the center of the vanilla bean to split it in half. Grade B vanilla beans are tougher to split because they can be more dry, so cutting the ends off first makes it easier to do. Taking the ends off will also help the vanilla beans fit easier inside of the jar. If you didn’t want to split the bean, or were uncomfortable doing it, you could alternatively chop the vanilla bean in to pieces. The point of either of these steps is to get the caviar exposed to have contact with the alcohol, which helps it infuse better. Plus, you’ll get those beautiful vanilla specks in your finished product.

Once your beans are split, place them (both the cut end pieces and the split bean) inside of the jar. Then pour the alcohol in the jar to cover the bean completely. Cover the jar and store in a cool and dark place for at least 6 weeks at a very bare minimum. Shake the jar when you can remember to, at least once a week. It is better to wait for 6-12 months to use the extract, as it will be more fragrant. There is a photo below showing vanilla extract on day 1, week 6 and month 8. As you can see the 8 month infused extract is much darker, which means more flavorful.

It is optional whether or not you want to strain your extract before using, or whether or not you want to keep the beans inside of the extract while using. It is recommended that you do keep your beans submerged at all times though, so keep that in mind if you keep them inside of the jar while you are using.

How to Have an Infinite Supply of Vanilla Extract

The one downside to making vanilla extract at home is that it takes time for the vanilla to steep. But if you are strategic, you can always have ready-to-use vanilla extract on hand. And, one of the best parts about using vanilla beans to make vanilla extract at home is that you can reuse the beans! Once you’ve used up the extract from a batch, you can reuse the beans (with added fresh ones) to make a new batch of extract. There are a few ways to do this, and depending on how often you go through extract will determine which method works for you.

But first, here are a few facts to understand:

1. Once the vanilla beans have been infused for a period of time, some of the flavor from the beans has been transferred to the alcohol. This means that the longer you reuse a bean, the less effective it becomes. Because the price of beans is high, I choose to reuse the beans a few times before tossing them out. I know when it’s time to take out the bean because the bean will start to break down in the extract and the bean will significantly lighten in color.
2. To keep the vanilla beans “fresh”, make sure they are always submerged in the alcohol. The alcohol is what stops any growth of mold or other unwanted substances. Cut the vanilla beans short if you choose to keep them in the jar while you are actively using the extract.

To keep an endless supply of extract, start by making at least 2 batches of extract at once. Once they have matured, begin using one of the jars. When you have used up half of the jar, go ahead and add a few more fresh vanilla beans to it, and top it off with alcohol. Set that jar aside to mature until you are ready for it. Now begin using the other matured extract. At this time, you should also make a new fresh batch with fresh vanilla beans.

This will mean you have three jars in total:

1. One new batch working to mature
2. One batch that is halfway ready
3. One batch that is ready-to-use.

This way, when you have finished one batch, you have one that is completely ready (and one that will be ready by the time you finish up your second batch). Rotate these three jars, making sure to start a new batch when you finish one.

It is up to you when you want to discard the old beans, and start fresh. I choose to use them 2-4 times, depending on the quality of the beans, how long the extract has been sitting and if I’ve been careful about making sure the beans stay submerged at all times. If I’m ever questioning whether the beans are good to use, I’ll go ahead and discard and start fresh. Generally speaking, when my jar gets very full of beans, I know it’s time to discard them entirely and start fresh. To do this, I’ll strain the ready-to-use extract into a fresh jar, and then start a new batch of vanilla extract with fresh beans in a clean jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make vanilla extract without alcohol?

Yes, but I haven’t tried. I’m more comfortable making extract with alcohol in terms of safety. Here is a reputable website that offers more information for making extract without alcohol.

What type of vanilla bean to use?

Any type is fine, whether Grade A or B, from any region. It is BEST to use Grade B for extract, and Madagascar vanilla beans are the most common type to use. See the section above labeled “Let’s talk about vanilla beans” for more detailed information about it.

What type of jars should I use?

There are some commercially available jars that are made just for extract, found here. Those are perfect for gifting vanilla extract. I like to reuse (clean) spice jars to store or gift my vanilla in. Or you can make vanilla extract in a large quantity, such as placing vanilla beans directly into the jar of alcohol that you are using. Just make sure to use the correct ratio to start.

How long does it need to infuse for?

Let steep for at least 6 weeks at a very minimum. It is better to wait for 6-12 months to use the extract, as it will be more fragrant.

Do you need to strain the vanilla extract?

Un-strained vanilla extract will have flecks of vanilla “caviar” in it! If you want to avoid having any vanilla bean flecks in it, go ahead and strain it. Sometimes, depending on the age of the extract, there may also be some natural pieces of the vanilla bean pod in your finished extract. If that bothers you, go ahead and strain it. Otherwise, it’s perfectly okay to use it unstrained.

How long will vanilla extract last?

Strained vanilla extract will last indefinitely. Keep in a cool dark place. Vanilla extract with beans inside of it should last a few years, if stored properly and if the beans are kept submerged.

Is it safe to use with kids?

When heated, the actual alcohol burns off so it is considered safe for kids. And even if it is being used in a no-bake recipe, a typical recipe calls for only 1-2 teaspoons of extract in a whole batch. I use this with my kids at home for both types of recipes, knowing there is little to no actual alcohol in the final product. But ultimately that is a decision for you.

Will it work the same as store-bought vanilla?

You will find that properly matured homemade vanilla extract will be stronger and more powerful than store-bought vanilla, especially if you are used to purchasing the “single-fold” vanilla. Your baked goods using vanilla will have a better vanilla flavor. If you aren’t looking to overpower a particular delicately flavored baked good with vanilla flavor, you can use about 1/2 of the amount called for in a recipe.

Recipes to make with homemade vanilla extract:

• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Malted Milk Chocolate Pie
• Mile-High Apple Pie
• Simple Whipped Cream by Hand

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