If you love to create and DIY, then this homemade vanilla extract recipe is for you. This easy, 2 ingredient recipe will will have you on your way to saving money and enjoying the rich taste of pure vanilla extract made from your own kitchen in no time.
When I first found out that I could make my own vanilla extract, I was pumped! I love vanilla, but so often I just void it out of recipes because it’s so darn expensive. When I first heard about making your own vanilla from Stacy on Off Grid with Doug and Stacy, I knew I wanted to try. I am a compulsive DIYer, after all!
After reading lots of different recipes online, experimenting, and learning more, I found myself ready to give it a go. And I am so glad that I did! It has worked out really wonderfully so far, and I can honestly say I will never go back to imitation or store-bought vanilla extract again!
Let’s dive into some of the things you should know about making your own homemade vanilla extract.
Cost of Making Your Own Vanilla Extract vs. Buying It
Now, of course these numbers are numbers that are relevant for my area, and your prices may be a bit different. Nevertheless, this is still going to be a pretty accurate representation of how much it will cost to make the vanilla extract vs. how much it will cost to buy it.
Individual costs
Vanilla extract can range in price greatly, but for simplicity and practical purposes, we’re going to say that you normally buy the classic McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract. At Walmart, that goes for $4.58/fluid ounce. This will be our comparison number.
When you make your own homemade vanilla extract, you’re investing in a long-term product. You’ll need to buy the ingredients, and those will be a higher upfront cost than just buying one bottle of pure vanilla extract. The materials you’ll need are vodka and vanilla beans.
Vodka can also vary in price and you can get some really cheap varieties. Let’s say I’m using the $9.98 Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka. This price is for a 750 mL bottle, which means I’m spending $0.39 per fluid ounce.
Vanilla beans, like everything else, can also be really expensive or relatively cheap. I’m going to be purchasing 10 whole vanilla beans from Amazon (see them here) for $9.99.
Comparing the costs
When you make homemade vanilla, you can continue to add vodka to the beans continuously until it starts to lose flavor. I am still on my first batch of vanilla beans from when I started this over a year ago, and my vanilla is still going strong. It still has a brown, amber look and still gives my baked goods and ice cream that wonderful vanilla taste I’m hoping for.
With this in mind, let’s just assume I can use my 10 vanilla beans to make the entire 750 mL bottle of vodka into vanilla extract. This gives me 25.4 ounces of homemade vanilla extract for roughly $20.
In the store, purchasing 25.4 ounces is going to cost me $91.60. That is $71.60 more than what I am paying to make it on my own. Isn’t that crazy?! Not to mention, making it on my own also allows me to know exactly what I’m putting into the vanilla extract. No additives, nothing extra. Just the vodka and beans to make this wonderful addition to my pantry.
How long does it take to make homemade vanilla extract?
It does take some time to extract the vanilla flavor from the vanilla beans, and it’s best to let your vanilla extract sit at least 6 months before using it. Just give it a shake every once and a while to give the beans a little spin in their vodka bath to help with the extraction.
*Note: I have used my vanilla before the 6 month mark, and it does taste/work just fine! It might smell a bit strongly like alcohol, but the vanilla flavor is already there after at least 3 months.
How many vanilla beans does it take to make homemade vanilla extract?
This all depends on how much vanilla extract you’d like to make! For a full bottle of vodka (750 mL), 10-15 vanilla beans should work just fine. As I mentioned before, I am still on my first bottle of vodka and my first batch of beans over a year later, and my vanilla extract is doing great. If you find that the flavor is lacking, you can always add more vanilla beans to boost that vanilla extraction.
As a reference point, commercial vendors usually use between 6-8 vanilla beans per one ounce of vanilla extract, which I think is a lot. Generally speaking, 5-6 beans per 1 cup of vodka should do the trick just fine.
How many times can vanilla beans be used to make vanilla extract?
You can continue to reuse your vanilla beans until they start to lose their vanilla flavor. Just continue to add more vodka to your jar as your supply runs low, and your beans will continue to extract their flavor for quite a long time.
Homemade vanilla extract vs. vanilla essence: what’s the difference?
Vanilla extract is a natural product created when you extract the flavor of the vanilla beans into alcohol. The liquid then takes on the flavor of the vanilla beans so that it can be used in liquid form. Vanilla essence, or imitation vanilla, is a processed product created using different products and chemicals. The goal is to create a vanilla-like flavor and color to the liquid using human-created strategies. The main difference? Vanilla extract is a natural product and vanilla essence is created in a factory with man-made chemicals. Which one do you want to consume?
How long does homemade vanilla last?
Homemade vanilla extract can last forever if it’s stored properly. It’s best to use it all within 5-10 years to get the best flavor and smell from it, though. But seriously- who would be able to keep vanilla that long?!
Does it need to be refrigerated?
No! Homemade vanilla should never be refrigerated or frozen. Cold temperatures will cause the vanilla extract to become cloudy. The best place for vanilla extract is at room temperature in your kitchen pantry.
What is the alcohol content of homemade vanilla extract?
Homemade vanilla extract is actually really high in alcohol content. The alcohol doesn’t go away just because you’ve added vanilla beans to it, so whatever proof vodka you’ve used is the amount of alcohol that’s in your extract. Commercial vanilla producers are generally at 35% alcohol content within their products. Keep that in mind if you’re eating it without baking it first!
What should I do if it smells like alcohol?
Don’t worry about it. It has a lot of alcohol in it, after all! Your homemade vanilla extract should have a vanilla aroma to it, but if it does smell like alcohol too, that’s to be expected. Just know that it will not taste great plain, but after time and aging, it will taste wonderful added to your favorite treats.
What is the best alcohol to make vanilla extract?
My alcohol of choice for homemade vanilla extract is vodka, but I have also heard of it being done with bourbon as well.
Make it a gift! Best jars for sharing
Homemade vanilla extract is an awesome gift idea for friends and family. If you’re looking for some really cute jars and labels to store your homemade extract in, check these out:
Shop this recipe
Get (almost) everything you need here:
- Vanilla Beans
- Vodka (this you’ll have to buy on your own)
Steps to Making Your Own Vanilla Extract
To make the extract, begin by finely chopping up the beans. Next, pour in the vodka and place the lid on tightly. Give it a good shake, set it on the counter, and walk away. That’s it! I told you it was easy!
For best results, you’ll want to let your extract sit for at least 2 months. The longer the better! As you use it, just continue to add more vodka. Eventually it will start to lose its flavor, and when that happens, you can simply add a few more beans. However, you shouldn’t need to add beans for a good while!
You can also use this same technique with almonds to make almond extract. That is on my must-try list coming up soon. Stay tuned!
There are beans floating around in my vanilla. What do I do?
If you’re lucky enough to get a bean in your treat, then good for you! But, if the idea of small bean particles floating around in your vanilla turns you off, you can strain it with a cheesecloth once it’s sat for a long enough period of time. However, it’s important to note that if the beans aren’t in the extract, no extraction is happening, so you can’t just add vodka to get more. No beans, no extract. Just vanilla-y vodka. 🙂
Don’t forget to save this for later!
Recipes to use your homemade vanilla extract:
Easy Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
Save money and enjoy your own homemade vanilla extract with only 2 simple ingredients! Be sure to save this recipe for the future!
Ingredients
- 10 Vanilla Beans
- Plain Vodka (cheap is just fine)
- A pint sized jar with a lid
- Decorative jars if you're looking to share with others
Instructions
- To make the extract, begin by finely chopping up the beans. Add the beans to your jar.
- Next, pour in the vodka and place the lid on tightly. Give it a good shake, set it on the counter, and walk away.
- That's it! I told you it was easy!
Notes
*For best results, you'll want to let your extract sit for at least 3 months (6 months are recommended). The longer the better! As you use it, just continue to add more vodka. Eventually it will start to lose its flavor, and when that happens, you can simply add a few more beans. However, you shouldn't need to add beans for a good while!
**If the idea of small bean particles floating around in your vanilla turns you off, you can strain it with a cheesecloth once it's sat for a long enough period of time. However, it's important to note that if the beans aren't in the extract, no extraction is happening, so you can't just add vodka to get more. No beans, no extract. Just vanilla-y vodka.
Do you make your own extracts? Let me know in the comments below!
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