Homemade Vanilla Extract: Straight From the Bean to the Bottle

Pure vanilla extract at my grocery store starts at about $4 per ounce and can be as much as $15 per ounce. I just made homemade vanilla extract for under $1 per ounce!

Not only is homemade vanilla extract a huge money saver, it's super easy, flavorful, and customizable. And when you go straight from the bean to the bottle, you can control all the ingredients and extraction process.

Homemade vanilla also makes a great gift! Be sure to grab the free printable label at the bottom to make your bottle super cute.

How to Use Homemade Vanilla Extract

You can use your homemade vanilla extract for more than just baking! Here are some of my favorite DIY recipes with vanilla extract:

Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla Extract

All you need is:

Vanilla beans
Liquor
A jar with a lid (I'm using this one)
A cute label
Time

What Kind of Vanilla Beans are Best for Vanilla Extract?

For most recipes that use vanilla extract, you are using a small amount. The end result in a batch of cookies that used vanilla made from Mexican beans & vodka versus a batch of cookies that used vanilla made from Tahitian beans & rum is negligible. So use the liquor and beans that you have available and are in your budget!

The main vanilla bean varieties are:

Madagascar:
- The most popular
- Warm, sweet, and warm-bodied
Mexican:
- Bold and smoky flavor
Tahitian:
- Sweet with a more mild flavor

You can use any variety that you like, can find, or fits your budget. I always use Madagascar since it's the most versatile and popular.

In addition to the variety, you want grade B vanilla beans. Grade B has a lower moisture content and a more concentrated flavor than Grade A so it's better for infusing in alcohol. And bonus, grade B are less expensive!

What Kind of Liquor is Best for Vanilla Extract?

A higher alcohol content is better, at least 35% ABV (70 proof)
Cheap liquor works just fine! You don't need to invest in top-shelf liquor
You can use a flavored liquor if you want to create vanilla flavored combos. But if you want a pure vanilla flavor, skip the flavored liquor.

Vodka:
- Most popular
- Has the most neutral flavor so the it'll have the purest vanilla flavor
Rum:
- Will result in a sweeter extract
Bourbon or Whiskey:
- Will result in a warmer and smokier extract

I use vodka or whiskey because when we have liquor in the house, that's what's available. For this batch, I made a jar with vodka and a jar with whiskey:

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Use about 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of liquor of choice
Slice the vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the seeds
Put the sliced vanilla beans in your jar
- If your jar is short, you can cut the vanilla beans in halves or thirds so they fit in your jar
Cover the vanilla beans with liquor of choice (use 8 oz per 5-6 vanilla beans). Make sure the beans are completely submerged
Put in a cool, dark place for 3-6 months
After 3-6 months, strain the vanilla extract to remove the seeds and store in your jar of choice
Be sure to print your label!

What to Do With the Used Vanilla Beans

You can reuse the beans and make another batch of vanilla extract. However, the beans won't be as potent so you probably want to add a fresh bean or two.
Add the used vanilla beans with seeds to your coffee beans for vanilla flavored coffee
Steep in a skin-friendly carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, etc. and use in DIY beauty recipes
Add the used vanilla beans to a jar of honey or maple syrup
Scoop the seeds out of the vanilla bean pod. Add to any kind of sugar to make vanilla sugar
Use the seeds in homemade vanilla bean ice cream