This DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract is the easiest thing to make. 2 ingredients and a couple of weeks of time, you can make your own homemade vanilla extract for a fraction of the cost of store-bought.

Have you guys noticed recently how expensive real Vanilla Extract is these days?

I was recently at Costco and 8 oz of pure vanilla extract was selling for just under $20!!!

If you love to bake as much as I do, 8 oz of vanilla does not last very long.

So, what about the "Imitation Vanilla"?

Although significantly cheaper, according to The Spruce Eats, imitation vanilla is made from artificial flavourings, which isn't surprising.

What might raise your eyebrows is that most of these artificial flavourings come from wood byproducts, and these byproducts can contain chemicals.

Plus, you will need twice as much imitation vanilla flavouring to match the strength of pure vanilla extract,

This comes as a risk since imitation vanilla is typically made with synthetic vanillin extracted from wood pulp, so you lose the gentle vanilla hint that you'd get with the real deal.

Why is Pure Vanilla Extract so expensive?

Vanilla comes from orchids of the genus Vanilla
While the major species of vanilla orchids are now grown around the world, they originally came from Mesoamerica, including parts of modern-day Mexico and Guatemala
The pods are picked when they are still not ripe, and then plunged into hot water and laid out to dry for anywhere from two to six months
Vanilla can only grow 10 to 20 degrees north and south of the equator
In order for vanilla orchids to produce pods (commonly referred to as beans), the plant must be pollinated by hummingbirds or a specific species of bees native to Central America.
Furthermore, the flowers are only open for a short period of time.
In order to harvest vanilla commercially, therefore, the plants must be hand-pollinated.

Now do you understand why vanilla is so expensive?!!!

What are the different types of vanilla

Bourbon Vanilla:

is the name for all vanilla grown in Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean

Tahitian Vanilla:

produced by crossing 2 different varieties of vanilla plants.
the pods/beans are large but produce less seeds
has more of a floral note

Mexican Vanilla:

So-called Mexican "vanilla" is often made with a toxic substance called coumarin
Coumarin is related to warfarin, which is found in some blood thinners.
Eating foods with coumarin may be dangerous for people taking blood thinners, because the combination could increase their risk of bleeding
If you buy vanilla from Mexico, check the label carefully and make sure it states "vanilla bean" and not "tonka bean"

What do the different "grades" mean when it comes to vanilla?

There are two grades that most people are familiar with:

Grade A Prime Gourmet, which is about 30% moisture and can be used for cooking and making extract.
Grade B Extract, which is about 20% moisture and should only be used for making vanilla extract

Why should your try this DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe?

it will save you a ton of money
it only requires 2 ingredients
you can reuse the vanilla beans to make a second batch of extract
it is the perfect gift to give a friend
it is SO EASY to make!

What do you need to make this DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe?

alcohol
Grade B vanilla beans
glass container

How do you make this Homemade Vanilla Extract?

Take your vanilla beans and split them down the center, but not all the way through to the other side...you are just "opening" them up to allow for the vanilla to be more easily extracted

Add the vanilla beans to a jar and pour alcohol into the jar

Seal the jar and shake it daily for 6-8 weeks

Tips and Tricks for Homemade Vanilla:

I used a cool old wine bottle for my glass container so feel free to use anything that you have lying around
Store the vanilla in a dark area or make sure that your glass container is darkly tinted
Once vanilla has sat for 6-8 weeks, transfer the vanilla into smaller containers to give as gifts or to be used for yourself
Refill the empty glass container that still has the same vanilla beans with more alcohol and let it sit for another 6-8 weeks (you have just made over 50 ounces of vanilla...that is a HECK of a lot cheaper than store-bought vanilla!)
You can use any alcohol you chose such as vodka, rum or bourbon...you will not taste the alcohol so do NOT use expensive liquor
The longer the vanilla mixture "matures" the better then taste
If you want to make a smaller amount, the general rule of thumb is that you need 1 vanilla bean for every 2 oz of alcohol

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DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Print Recipe

This DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract is so easy to make and will save you a ton of money. Make it now and it will be ready to be divided into smaller containers to give as gifts over the Holidays!

Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 x 750 ml Vanilla Extract 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

12 vanilla beans
750 ml vodka (or other type of alcohol)
large glass jar with lid

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Take your vanilla beans and split them down the center, but not all the way through to the other side...you are just "opening" them up to allow for the vanilla to be more easily extracted
Add the split vanilla pods to a large jar. Pour in alchohol and seal the jar. Give the jar a gentle shake.
Every couple of days, gently shake the jar.
The vanilla is ready in about 6-8 weeks but the longer you leave it, the deeper the flavour.
When you are ready to use the vanilla, pour the vanilla liquid into a separate container and seal it. Use it whenever your recipe calls for vanilla. Pour another 750 ml of vodka into the container that still has the vanilla bean pods. Repeat the "shake every couple of days" procedure for another 6-8 weeks.

Notes

The same vanilla bean pods are used to make 2 x 750 ml of vanilla
The longer you leave the vanilla beans, the stronger the vanilla flavour.

Author: Cat
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Category: Sauces
Cuisine: Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free