I’ve always been a big fan of making things from scratch, especially the little staples I use all the time. I love knowing exactly what went into a recipe and letting the process unfold at its own pace. Vanilla extract is one of those ingredients that shows up in so many recipes, yet it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Store-bought vanilla works just fine—but homemade feels different. Richer. More personal and authentic.
This recipe is simple, requires just two ingredients, and mostly just asks for patience. Time does the real work here. It’s also a great reminder that some of the best things don’t need much effort—just patience.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vanilla beans
- 8 ounces vodka
Instructions
- Place the vanilla beans into a clean glass bottle or jar.
- Pour the vodka over the beans, making sure they are fully submerged.
- Seal the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 6 months, giving it a gentle shake every so often.
Once it’s ready, strain if desired and use as you would store-bought vanilla extract. Vanilla extract continues to improve over time. Most people find the flavor fully developed between 6 and 12 months.
As you use the extract, you can top off the bottle with more vodka to keep it going longer.
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Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vanilla beans
- 8 ounces vodka
Instructions
- Place the vanilla beans into a clean glass bottle or jar.
- Pour the vodka over the beans, making sure they are fully submerged.
- Seal the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 6 months, giving it a gentle shake every so often.
- Once it’s ready, strain if desired and use as you would store-bought vanilla extract. Vanilla extract continues to improve over time. Most people find the flavor fully developed between 6 and 12 months.
- As you use the extract, you can top off the bottle with more vodka to keep it going longer.
