Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 21 votes

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Extract is easy to make with two ingredients and minimal hands-on time. This ratio of vanilla beans to alcohol yields the best vanilla flavor.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 48 teaspoons
Calories: 13 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 to 7 to 7 Vanilla Beans split or unsplit
  • 1 cup alcohol (80 proof) (8 ounces) vodka, bourbon, rum, or whiskey

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add vanilla beans to a sterilized bottle. If the beans are too long for the bottle, cut it in half or thirds as needed.
  2. Fill the bottle with your choice of alcohol, leaving about an inch at the top of the bottle.
  3. Secure the top of the bottle. Label and shake vigorously.
  4. Store in a cool, dry, and dark location for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking once per week. The longer the vanilla extract steeps, the darker and more prominent the vanilla flavor and scent will be.

Notes

  • The recipe yields 1 cup of homemade vanilla extract. The recipe can easily be increased or decreased based on how much vanilla extract you make. This recipe yields 1 (8-ounce) bottle or 2 (4-ounce) bottles.
  • How to Make Perpetual Vanilla Extract
  • One quick and easy option is to add your vanilla beans to the new glass bottle of alcohol. For a 1.75 liter of alcohol, you’ll need between 45 and 51 vanilla beans using my vanilla extract ratio. I typically use a package of 50 vanilla beans per 1.75-liter bottle.
  • I then decant the vanilla extract into a smaller bottle(s) for use in the kitchen. As you use the vanilla extract from this storage bottle, you can then top it off with more alcohol (and vanilla beans when needed) for a perpetual storage of homemade vanilla extract. Replace vanilla beans after 2 to 3 uses.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1teaspoon Calories 13kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 0.2g (0%) Fat 0.1g (0%) Sodium 0.05mg (0%) Potassium 0.05mg (0%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 48teaspoons

Amount Per Serving

Calories 13

% Daily Value*

Serving 1teaspoon
Calories 13kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 0.2g 0%
Fat 0.1g 0%
Sodium 0.05mg 0%
Potassium 0.05mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.