Homemade Vanilla Extract

Make homemade vanilla extract without added sugar or preservatives. You only need 2 ingredients and a bit of patience for a delicious baking staple to put in the pantry or give as a gift!

I’ve always been a huge fan of vanilla, using it in Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, White Bean Blondies, and Homemade Vanilla Bean Coffee Creamer. And it’s not just for cakes or cookies, I even use vanilla extract in Homemade Bug Spray!

For several years I’ve bought vanilla extract in bulk, buying what I thought was a quality product for a fair price.

Then we moved to Georgia and the price of vanilla extract doubled. That was my cue to start making my own homemade vanilla extract.

We save money by making food from scratch, and I was excited to experiment. Not only is our version truly pure vanilla extract, but it costs less than even the best store-bought vanilla!

REASONS TO MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Have you ever looked to see what’s in your store-bought vanilla? I’ve found dextrose in Kirkland brand vanilla extract (from Costco) and corn syrup in McCormick brand – and I bought both of these bottles without even thinking to read the label beforehand.

In order to be labeled “pure vanilla extract,” the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the solution to consist of 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans to a gallon of at least 35% alcohol and up to 65% water. The FDA also stipulates that:
“Vanilla extract may contain one or more of the following optional ingredients: (1) Glycerin, (2) Propylene glycol, (3) Sugar (including invert sugar), (4) Dextrose, (5) Corn syrup (including dried corn syrup).”

Despite the fact that we typically use vanilla extract only a teaspoon at a time, it concerns me that these unnecessary additives and sweeteners are legally allowed to be in store-bought vanilla extract. Especially when you’d expect that “vanilla extract” only contained vanilla. (And let’s not even get into imitation vanilla and artificial flavors!)

From a budget perspective, it concerns me that “pure vanilla extract” can be significantly watered down! The manufacturers can dilute their vanilla extract accordingly and while we think we’re getting 100% vanilla extract; we really only get 35% vanilla extract!

Make a large batch of homemade vanilla extract and you will have a good supply on hand for baked goods. You can also use as a great gift for the holidays in a cute mason jar!

VANILLA EXTRACT INGREDIENTS

Here’s how to be frugal with your vanilla extract ingredients.

• Alcohol. I prefer to use vodka (more on that below) and the cheapest I’ve found is a 1.75L bottle of vodka at Wine Depot, a.k.a. the “Costco of adult beverages.” Make sure it’s at least 70-proof (35 % alcohol).
  • The flavor of the vanilla extract will taste different depending on the type of alcohol you use, so bear that in mind as you make homemade vanilla extract. The neat thing is you can pick from different flavors. It’s hard to say how much rum flavor will be present in your finished recipe if you’re using just 1 teaspoon of spiced rum to make this extract, but if you’re not one to take chances, stick with vodka for a more neutral vanilla flavor.
• Vanilla Beans. Just a heads up, vanilla beans are expensive – at grocery stores and online. If you want to get high-quality Tahitian vanilla beans, buy them online (these are the ones I buy). The good news is you’ll get enough beans for multiple batches! Grade B beans are typically cheaper and are perfect for making homemade vanilla extracts.

If you’re replicating a typical bottle of store-bought vanilla extract, you need about 16 ounces of alcohol and 4 vanilla beans.

HOW TO MAKE VANILLA EXTRACT INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Combine alcohol and whole vanilla beans in a clean jar and seal.

Step 2: Place the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 months, occasionally agitating the beans in the alcohol.

Step 3: When the vanilla extract is done, you can leave the beans in or remove them.

VANILLA EXTRACT RECIPE TIPS

• To Split, or Not to Split (the Bean). Some say to split the vanilla beans in half lengthwise before submerging and others say to submerge the vanilla bean whole for the extraction process. It doesn’t seem to affect the final outcome, so I say do whatever is easier for you.
• Re-using Vanilla Beans. Another frugal perk of making this vanilla extract recipe is that you can reuse the beans and make more! When you run out of extract, fill the container back up with more alcohol, set it aside, and soon you’ll have another batch of homemade vanilla extract.
  • The only catch with this is that your second batch might not be as flavorful as the original, so taste the vanilla extract before you use it in a recipe to ensure it’s as strong as you’d like. If it’s not as strong, add new vanilla beans and let it cure.
  • If the vanilla flavor is strong enough for you, consider that money saved!
• Make Vanilla Extract Faster. I haven’t tested this myself, but I’ve read that you can cut the vanilla beans in half, or even smaller, and that you’ll make extract in as little as 3 weeks. I usually aim for about 2 months for my vanilla extract, but the longer you let it sit, the more the flavor develops.

STORING VANILLA EXTRACT

Assuming you’re frugal like me, the best jars for homemade vanilla extract are the ones you already have on hand. Old oil and vinegar bottles are perfect in size! Once they’re washed, you can remove the label from the jar with this method and start making the extract!

If you don’t have any old glass bottles, there are plenty of jar options available. Thrift stores and garage sales are good places to look, but this set of 8.5-ounce bottles is ideal – it seals completely and keeps the vanilla beans submerged. Plus, you can make a half batch of vanilla and it’ll fit perfectly.

Make sure you use dark-tinted bottles or store the vanilla extract in a cool, dark place to protect it from light and keep it from going bad.

VANILLA ESSENCE FAQS

WHAT TO DO WHEN PRICES FOR VANILLA BEANS GO UP

I’ve figured out a few vanilla substitutions that work for baking and cooking if vanilla beans are not in the budget. In fact, I found 15 different ways to substitute for vanilla! You don’t want to skip the vanilla, but if the prices on beans right now will bust your budget, try a substitution. Your cupcakes and desserts will taste delicious!

Substituting lesser-priced ingredients for higher ones is the FIRST thing I teach my students in Grocery Budget Bootcamp. Because of substituting inexpensive ingredients, or ingredients already in the pantry, most of my students save money on the first day of class! It always blows me away when I hear about the savings from simple substitutions. Enrollment is currently closed, but you can join my FREE 5-day Crush Inflation Challenge and start saving money on groceries tomorrow!

MORE FRUGAL DIY RECIPES

• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Homemade Seasoning Salt
• How to Make Powdered Sugar
• How to Make Buttermilk
• Homemade Bisquick