Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

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Learning how to make vanilla extract is the easiest thing ever. It requires only 2 ingredients and makes all of your baked goods taste and smell incredible. Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking! Once you make your own homemade vanilla extract, there’s just no going back to the store-bought version. As a bonus, you can refill real vanilla extract with more vodka as it runs out so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

These make for darling and thoughtful DIY Christmas gifts (see tutorial below). My cousin’s wife, Alla, shared this awesome idea with me for gifting homemade vanilla extract and now all my sisters and friends know exactly what they’re getting for Christmas! lol.

I included links to all of the tools and resources that I used to make these from the sweet little glass bottles on Amazon to the free labels I designed which you can print at home. There’s also a full visual tutorial on wrapping these in kitchen towels. I really enjoyed making these and I will enjoy giving them away even more!

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

Vanilla Extract Ingredients (makes 10 (4oz) jars):

20 vanilla beans
40 oz plain vodka* (80 proof works great)

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

It’s easy to scale this recipe up or down, the proportions are 4 whole vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) vodka, or 2 vanilla beans per 1/2 cup (4 oz) vodka.

*It’s not necessary to get the most expensive brand of vodka; something middle of the road like Smirnoff triple distilled 80 proof will work just fine. I found this at the liquor store and paid $25 for a giant jug. I’ll be refilling my vanilla a long time :). My cousin used the Vodka sold at Costco (Washington Costco’s carry liquor, but Idaho’s don’t).

Tools you’ll need for Homemade Vanilla Extract:

Small funnel or measuring cup with pouring lip
10 (4oz) clear bottles with lids (avoid cork lids – alcohol evaporates through the cork)
Labels (click here to save and print the labels I designed FREE!)
Kitchen scissors or sharp knife

How to Make Vanilla Extract:

1. Wash and sanitize bottles and lids. I washed with mild soapy water, rinsed then swirled with boiling hot water to sanitize them.

homemade-vanilla-extract-3

2. Cut beans in half then Split beans. I found this is easiest with kitchen scissors. Cutting them about halfway down the stem. If the beans are too dry to split, cut them into 1″ pieces. Place a total of 2 whole beans in each jar (or 4 split halves).

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

3. Use a funnel or measuring cup to pour vodka to the top of the jar. Cover tightly with lid and let them brew for 2 months, shaking occasionally.

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

Apply the FREE vanilla extract labels by printing them on label paper or by gluing them onto the bottles. If printing on the labels, make sure your printer is set to 100% and not “fit to page” which make shrink or stretch labels.

You should give the vanilla a little shake every now and then for the next couple of months as it sits. It will turn a beautiful amber color when it’s ready to use. The instructions are right on the label so you don’t have to wait that long to gift them ;).

homemade-vanilla-extract-12

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

For Creative Gifting:

12 yards of yarn or kitchen string
12 kitchen towels for gifting, preferably tea towel style
12 small/medium cookie cutters

How to Wrap a Gift With a Kitchen Towel:

Fold a kitchen towel in half lengthwise and then in half again lengthwise. Place vanilla in the upper left corner, fold over the bottom flap, roll into a log and tie the top with a string or ribbon directly over the next of where the bottle is sitting inside the towel.

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

How to Store Vanilla Extract

Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place. Heat and light can cause it to turn cloudy.

If it does turn cloudy, murky, or muddy-looking, do the smell test and if it still smells good, it should be fine to use. Using 80 proof vodka, it is highly unlikely there is bacterial growth.

Sometimes the type of beans you get can leach pulp into the alcohol and you can strain out sediment if desired.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Vanilla Extract Recipe

4.95 from 353 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract - it's so easy and only requires 2 ingredients! This will become your secret ingredient for baking.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 (4oz) jars

Vanilla Extract Ingredients (makes 12 (4oz) jars):

  • 20 vanilla beans, I used Grade B Bourbon
  • 40 oz plain vodka*, 80 proof works great

Tools you'll need for Homemade Vanilla Extract:

Instructions

  • Wash and sanitize bottles and lids: Wash with mild soapy water, rinse, then carefully swirl with boiling hot water to sanitize them.
  • Cut beans in half then Split beans (it's easiest with kitchen scissors), cutting them about halfway down the stem. If the beans are too dry to split, cut them into small 1" pieces so they don't stick up above the surface of the extract as you use it. Place a total of 2 whole beans in each jar (or 4 split halves).
  • Use a funnel to pour vodka to the top of jar. Cover tightly with lid and let them brew for 2 months, shaking occasionally.

Notes

It's easy to scale this recipe up or down, the proportions are 4 whole vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) vodka, or 2 vanilla beans per 1/2 cup (4 oz) vodka.
Course: Condiments, Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Vanilla Extract
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$$

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

 

Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com
Learn how to make vanilla extract with 2 ingredients! Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking. The best vanilla extract recipe! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Miss Karla
    March 16, 2024

    My first batch was wonderful. When I ordered the B grade vanilla beans this time, they were not as long as your picture showed, but more moist than my first set. Should I add a few more in? I make a quart size and pint size out of a one liter size bottle of vodka. Thank you for this recipe and all the others I have enjoyed.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 16, 2024

      Hi Miss Karla! Yes, you can add more beans to help.

      Reply

  • Geri
    March 13, 2024

    Im using rum in my vanilla to see what it is like.next time will try vodka. mine has been marinating since 11/2023

    Reply

  • Paige
    March 8, 2024

    Question please…my vanilla has been sitting for about 6 weeks and it is still a pretty light amber color. Will it darken with time? Does homemade not get as dark as store bought? I plan to give it at least 9 months to sit before I use it. Thank you for ALL your fabulous recipes!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 9, 2024

      Hi Paige! You can reference my images above to see what color mine was. It will darken with time. Mine took about 2months until ready to use. The quality of the beans can affect this, you can add more beans if necessary. It does not require waiting 9mo to use but it will continue to darken and strengthen overtime.

      Reply

  • Misha B.
    March 5, 2024

    Hi Natasha! Thank you for this recipe. As a homemaker, this is going to save me a lot of money and really make my dessert stand out.

    One question I have is whether or not the quality of the vodka makes much of a difference. I wanted to use just a midgrade, premium vodka like Tito’s.

    Thank you for your time!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 6, 2024

      Hi Misha! It does affect the quality and taste. Good quality will produce better results but as long as you’re using 80 proof Vodka, it will be fine.

      Reply

  • Paige
    January 30, 2024

    My vanilla is a month old and I have noticed that when I “shake” it that small bits of bean are flaking off into the vanilla. Is this ok? Will I need to strain the vanilla before I eventually use it? THANK YOU!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 30, 2024

      Hi Paige, seeing some seeds in the jar is normal – there are some in mine and it makes desserts look nicer having those little flecks of vanilla seeds in real vanilla.

      Reply

  • Sharon
    January 2, 2024

    Hi Natasha,
    Could you please share what number Avery label you used to print your 12 per page round labels for the pure Vanilla?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 2, 2024

      Hi Sharon, here’s the link to the label template from Avery. I don’t recall the exact size but 2” sounds about right, the whole sheet prints 12 labels, which may help give you a point of reference. You can also go to the Avery website to create your own labels, they are a great resource and are user-friendly.

      Reply

  • Rachel Sterling
    December 29, 2023

    I love your recipes and can’t wait to try making my own vanilla. I don’t plan to gift it so I don’t need the cute bottles. Curious if this would be okay to just make a large single batch of. I’m sure it would but I don’t want to waste beans and vodka. Any thoughts?

    *Sorry if this has been asked and answered already. I went through a lot of comments before deciding to comment myself.*

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 29, 2023

      Hi Rachel! Yes, a few of my readers have mentioned using one large bottle to make the vanilla.

      Reply

  • Jarmi
    December 12, 2023

    I made this last year, and you’re right, it’s so much better than store bought. However, it’s time to make more… you mentioned to just add more vodka. Can I just keep using the same vanilla strings?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 12, 2023

      Hi Jarmi! Yes, you can use the same beans but over time they loose flavor and your vanilla will not be as concentrated so you’ll need to add more beans or replace the beans.

      Reply

  • Nicole Smith
    December 10, 2023

    I love, love, love following you and making your recipes (new cookbook is fabulous too!) but this one confuses me a bit. If the FDA guidelines require beans be a specific weight to alcohol ratio in order to be called Pure Extract, how is this recipe truly making “100% pure extract” if you are going by bean count (which can vary significantly by bean origin, size and moisture content) ? I just think it is misleading to your followers who think they are making 100% Pure vanilla extract when it clearly does not meet the standards to be called extract. People are gifting this to family and friends and it’s unfortunate they are wasting time and money investing in this process when it is simply and clearly incorrect (I was one of those people btw, thankfully I researched the correct process in time to save my investment in Vanilla beans, bottles and incorrect labels). Please consider updating the recipe to meet the FDA requirements for being called “100% Pure Extract” or possibly change the recipe title and labels to be more accurate and call this Vanilla flavored vodka. IMHO, thanks for your time in reading…

    Reply

    • Jen V
      February 6, 2024

      If you are not selling it, then I don’t see what the issue is.

      Reply

  • Brian Gordon
    December 10, 2023

    Our vodka in Canada is 40% alcohol how does that compare to 80 proof?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 11, 2023

      Hi Brian, you might need to google search that and see if that is acceptable for making vanilla. An 80 proof vodka is 40% alcohol and 60% water. If you have 40% alcohol, that is the same thing as 80 proof.

      Reply

  • Susan Jay
    December 9, 2023

    I made the Vanilla extract almost a month ago. It appears lighter in color than what is pictured and much lighter than my pure vanilla. I know the time isn’t up yet but should I add more vanilla beans?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 9, 2023

      Hi Susan! It could be the quality or quantity of the beans. It still has some time before you’ll know, but you can add more beans if you’d like.

      Reply

  • Sherrie
    December 4, 2023

    What vanilla beans are best to use? I see you noted that you use grade B bourbon vanilla beans but when I click the link to Amazon, it shows Tahitian beans. Just want to get the correct ones

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 4, 2023

      Hi Sherrie, those are the same beans I used. They’re Tahitian Grade B. I hope that helps.

      Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 4, 2023

      Hi Sherrie, this is the affiliate link for the Vanilla Beans that I use. Grade B bourbon or tahitian beans are both good.

      Reply

    • Geri
      March 13, 2024

      I have ask and found that Madakascar beans were best to use.

      Reply

  • David
    December 2, 2023

    I am curious. Your recipe calls for 18-20 vanilla beans but when each jar is made you only use 1 and 1/2 beans per jar.

    18-20 beans means you would be making more than 4 jars of vanilla extract.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 2, 2023

      Hi David, this recipe makes TWELVE (4oz) jars. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Janet Nonella
    December 1, 2023

    Thank you so much for sharing this, and the labels! I just put together 12 bottles for Christmas presents. I’m just waiting for the kitchen towels to arrive, and then will wrap them with cookie cutters. I love that they’ll be homemade and something everyone can use! Merry Christmas ♥️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 2, 2023

      You’re very welcome, Janet! They really are the perfect gift!

      Reply

  • Jinan
    November 23, 2023

    Hi Natasha, what can we substitute the vodka for non alcoholic drink?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 23, 2023

      HI Jinan, I haven’t seen vanilla made any other way. You might need to google search for that.

      Reply

  • Marcy
    November 15, 2023

    Do I need to remove the pods after any certain period? I know the beans should stay. But what about the actual pod?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 16, 2023

      Hi Marcy! That is not necessary. If needed, you can strain the vanilla extract when you use it in a recipe.

      Reply

  • Annette
    November 7, 2023

    Hi Natasha,
    I love your recipes and have made several that have quickly become family favourites. My question, why did you use grade B beans? Are the better than grade A?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 8, 2023

      Hi Annette, grade A beans are more expensive and are typically used for baking since they are softer and it’s easier to scrape out the seeds. You can use grade A but it’s not necessary for vanilla extract.

      Reply

  • Walla
    November 7, 2023

    it’s just a creative idea ,I’d like to try it as soon as possible, just wanna ask what to use instead of vodka?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 7, 2023

      Hi Walla, I have heard of using other liquors to make vanilla but I haven’t tested anything myself. You might google search to see what the recommendations are for substitutions.

      Reply

  • Alison
    October 9, 2023

    Im so excited to try this! I see that the beans are already starting to produce some pulp. Is it necessary to drain the pulp? Will it change the flavor when baking?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 9, 2023

      Hi Alison. You can drain it if it has larger pieces. It shouldn’t affect the flavor.

      Reply

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