Did you know you can make your own vanilla bean extract? With all of the baking I do over the holidays, vanilla extract disappears fast. And since the longer you let the vanilla beans soak, the better your extract, I thought I would get a jump on the process now.
The process is actually super simple, it just takes a little willpower to make it, and then forget about it for a minimum of 4 weeks. Again, longer is better.
Ingredients
4 Vanilla Beans
3 Cups Vodka
Glass Jars {with tight fitting lid}
Directions
Use a sharp knife to slit each vanilla bean open lengthwise, leaving about an inch at each end uncut. Put the vanilla beans in the jar and completely cover them with the vodka. Screw on the lid, and shake the jar a bit. Store it in a cool, dark place and shake it every once in a while to mix it. Leave it UNOPENED for a minimum of 4 weeks. After you have “marinated” the beans, you can either leave them in the jar to continue the strengthen the extract as you use it, or strain them out.
That’s it. In a month, you will have yummy homemade vanilla extract at a fraction of the cost. I think homemade vanilla extract would make an awesome gift too, don’t you? I think I’ll make a jar to keep, and several to give away.
~Mavis
Susan says
It will taste pretty “boozy” after 1 month. Haha! Three months is ideal. I do mine in canning jars. They’re not as pretty but they are functional and do the job. Vanilla beans are pretty cheap on Amazon and low quality, dry vanilla beans work just fine. Sooooo easy and so delicious!
Linda says
Where do you get your vanilla beans? In our local co-op, where they used to sell them bulk, you can only purchase pre-packaged beans at the cost of $11.95 for two beans. I would love to make more vanilla, but first I need to find affordable beans. Fortunately, I have a pint still brewing in the cupboard.
Mavis Butterfield says
Amazon. The beans are pretty expensive at Costco these days but you can find them there, Trader Joe’s and Amazon.
Jules says
I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile now. I bake a lot – mostly snacks for the kids instead of store bought – and the price on vanilla kept going up! But, this may sound stupid, what about the alcohol content?
Brianna says
I’m wondering the same thing!
KC says
According to the internet, vanilla extract in the US is legally required by the FDA to be a minimum of 35% alcohol. Vodka is 40% alcohol, and then you’ll lose a very small amount of the alcohol by evaporation during the soak time. Therefore, I don’t think there’s going to be a ton of difference.
Leslie says
You can also skip the alcohol and use glycerin, if avoiding alcohol is important.
Mavis Butterfield says
Not a stupid question but basically the same as any other vanilla extract you would buy in the store. Here is an interesting article I found: https://www.tasteofhome.com/cooking-tips/ask-our-dietician/alcohol-in-extracts
Mel says
I made this about a month ago using recycled green glass ginger beer bottles from Trader Joe’s. I removed the labels and used a white paint pen to label and draw vanilla flowers on the bottles. I made almost a gallon, but I bake enough on my own and for holidays that I expect it to be gone by January. It would probably be close to $100 if I were to buy that much in stores, but it was only $20 or so to make it.
Carole says
McCormicks Vanilla contains alcohol plus other things. Some manufacturers add caramel color, check the labels when you go to your local grocery store next time. The alcohol bakes out anyway. At least you know what you put into yours. I use cheaper vodka too, doesn’t really matter, you just need the alcohol to do the job. Tito’s is too high on the shelf for me!!
Mable says
Tastes better if made with light rum rather than vodka.
Helen in Meridian says
It has been 19 months since Kirkland Madagascar Vanilla disappeared at Costco. World wide there is a giant vanilla bean shortage because of storm damage. Did you know you can make vanilla in pint canning jars in an electric pressure cooker like Insta Pot. It takes about 10 minutes, and you need to let it rest a couple of weeks. How much are vanilla beans at Trader Joe’s? I need to find some reasonable ones.
Michele Palmer says
Winco used to sell individual vanilla beans for $3 something in the bulk section…but they have not come back?
Does anyone have a brand recommendation they use on Amazon?
Love this for a gift idea!!!
Mel says
I’ve had great results with Delitaliana and JR Mushrooms and Specialties on Amazon. Once they’re open, store in the bag they came in but place that in a tightly sealed ziploc. I make vanilla extract, but I also use them up by adding the beans to homemade ice cream and vanilla bean scones.
Mavis Butterfield says
VANILLA BEAN SCONES!!!!!! I am going to have to make those. Mel. I love you.
Mel says
Hahaha I’m happy to help. I use Pioneer Woman’s recipe. I know you said you don’t have freezer space now, but if you find some, you can freeze the unbaked scones and store in a ziploc bag. Bake them straight from frozen, and just add a minute or two to the cook time. I freeze batches before the holidays and then bake as needed when I need gifts or need to take a dessert.
Michele Palmer says
Mel that’s GENIUS!!! Freezing the unbaked scones… I am SO doing that!
Thank you for the Amazon brand recommendations!!!
Mel says
No problem! And I highly recommend scone freezing. If you’re exceptionally lazy like me, you can freeze the icing as well. If you need to make eggless scones, I have had good results omitting them in that recipe and upping the cream.
I really like those brands for quality and price, but I’m not sure about their sourcing (as someone else commented). I had used a fair trade brand, but I can’t find it as easily nowadays. I’ll post again if I can find it.
Cindy says
I see on Amazon that JR Mushrooms & Specialties has Mexican vanilla beans for very little – $11.12 (shipped) for a bundle. Are these the same beans you have had success with?
Mel says
I’m not seeing that listing, so I can’t say for sure, but holy cow, the price of vanilla beans has SPIKED. I usually buy them by the pound for $25-$30, but the same listings are now more like $100. Smaller amounts are now $3-$5 a bean–close to grocery store prices. Prices do fluctuate on Amazon, but there must be something else going on at the moment. Olive Nation is another brand I’ve used and liked, and it has similarly high prices at the moment.
Leslie says
If you’re interested, Madagascar and Uganda both use child labor in the vanilla bean industry. You can buy beans from other places, but they won’t be the cheapest beans. https://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/
Cindy says
Thank you, Leslie. Important to know before purchasing!
Rebecca in MD says
Not a comment about vanilla beans – – – lol.
Yes, I am using my slow cooker, which is my all-time favorite kitchen gadget. Tonight we had this recipe I made up from what I had on hand:
Two frozen chicken breasts
One can of Rotel tomatoes
One large onion cut in half and sliced
2 cloves of garlic minced
8 ounces of white button mushrooms sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Add frozen chicken breasts and then top with Rotel tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, and onion. Cook on high 4 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Add shredded chicken back to crock pot and stir with rest of ingredients. Top with mozzarella cheese, put lid back on and cook until cheese is melted.
My husband LOVED it.
Tammy says
I made a quart of vanilla with 1/8 pound of vanilla beans, two years in a row. Unfortunately it is too expensive to make right now due to the shortage of vanilla beans and I’m almost out! I used white rum to make mine – it has a very good flavor! And the bean paste is great to use in baked and canned goods!
Marsha says
I just put the beans into my bottle of vodka and leave it in a dark cabinet. With the vanilla bean shortage I added some more vodka to my supply and will use it sparingly. Hoping the prices go down by the time I run out!
Amy S says
That’s what I do too. It seems silly to make extract in multiple small jars or bottles if you’re just making it for yourself. I use a funnel to refill the little bottle in my spice cabinet and then put the big bottle away. I started my vanilla a year and a half ago for $20. When I saw what the price of vanilla beans had done, I topped off my big bottle with the rest of the vodka in my liquor cabinet. The extract still has plenty of vanilla flavor. I may have to keep diluting it until beans are resonably priced again. I saw on Amazon the other day that the quantity of beans I used is now going for $90. Just the beans!
Linda Frazier says
I’ve made two batches of vanilla since last year. I included a bottle in the baskets of cookies I give to neighbors at Christmas. I found a great source for cute, amber bottles for the vanilla- fillmorecontainers.com
Lolly says
I have a perpetual half gallon jar of vanilla. I started it….um….before Christmas of 2011? I think? Maybe 2010? Anyway, I keep the vanilla beans in the mix…just add more beans and more vodka. I think I may have emptied the beans and added new ones a couple yrs ago, because there were a lot of beans in the mix (so less vodka could be added).
Anne Wiebe says
Maybe I’m the only one, but I just don’t see the point of expensive vanilla extract. I have been baking for about 55 years. I use imitation vanilla and have never been able to detect a difference in flavor. I also have never had anyone mention that they noticed a taste difference. For the last couple of years, I’ve worked at a preschool kitchen, making large quantities of muffins, quick breads, puddings, and other items flavored with vanilla every day. The preschool prides itself on no artificial flavors or colors, so they buy the expensive vanilla extract, and again I can’t tell any difference in flavor. I spoke to another preschool cook, who said she had noticed the same, that imitation vanilla was just as good in her opinion. Does anyone else use imitation vanilla?
Michele Palmer says
Awww I love that the school prides itself on no artificial flavors or colors. My daughter has an intolerance to food dye. I work very hard to eliminate all artificial flavors and colors from our diet. I am grateful to hear of a preschool that strives to eliminate that as well!!!
I am sure McCormick & other big name companies work hard to fine tune their lengthly ingredient list on imitation vanilla because it’s way cheaper to make than vanilla extract. More money in their pocket.
Cindy says
I’m searching for small, decorative, clear glass bottles to make the extract and give as gifts. If anyone has located a vendor, please share. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Here are some 2 ounce bottles http://amzn.to/2kFWTAU
Jen says
is clear glass ok or should it be dark??
Mavis Butterfield says
I use clear glass {an old syrup bottle actually} and it works just fine.
Cindy says
So glad to hear the clear glass has worked just fine for you, Mavis. I love to see the vanilla bean at work but did wonder if the amber somehow protected the product.
Linda Frazier says
Fillmorecontainers.com has cute, inexpensive amber colored bottles. I bought the one ounce size.
Missy says
Is there an exportation date on vanilla extract?
Emily B. says
Last July I made up a bunch of 4 oz apothecary jars using vodka and vanilla beans I ordered online. I gave them away at Christmas and they loved them!