Homemade DIY Vanilla Extract
Learn how simple and satisfying it is to make your own vanilla extract at home. With just two ingredients, a jar, and a little patience, you’ll have rich, flavorful homemade vanilla that beats anything from the store.
Vanilla Beans + Vodka.
That’s it. 🤍
And once you start making it yourself, you’ll never go back.
Grab MY Favorite Vanilla Beans from Amazon!
What You’ll Need
- Organic Vanilla Beans (Madagascar recommended)
- Vodka of choice (I use organic)
- 1 pint glass jar with lid
- Time (the secret ingredient)
👉 Grab my favorite vanilla beans on Amazon
👉 Printable Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 organic vanilla beans (Madagascar)
- 1 pint glass jar
- Vodka (enough to fully fill the jar)
The 50 Pack that I suggest will make 5 Pint Jars – GREAT for Gifts!
Directions
- Using a sharp knife, slice each vanilla bean lengthwise to expose the inside.
(This helps release flavor faster, but you can skip this step if you prefer.) - Place the beans into the jar, cutting them in half if needed to fit.
- Fill the jar completely with vodka, making sure all beans are submerged.
- Seal with a lid (a plastic lid works best long-term) and store in a dark cupboard.
- Let sit for at least 6 months — longer is even better.
Once ready, you can strain and discard the beans, or reuse them for a second batch.
The flavor won’t be quite as strong, but it’s still absolutely usable.
💡 Pro tip: When you strain your first batch, start a second one right away so you always have vanilla on hand.
Enjoy!
Homemade vanilla extract is perfect for everyday baking and also makes a beautiful, thoughtful homemade gift.
Behind the Vanilla
Vanilla isn’t just a flavor — it’s a story.
I recently read an article in Living Magazine by doTERRA called “Vanilla Dawn,” and it was so fascinating I had to share what makes vanilla so special.
Vanilla comes from an orchid — specifically Vanilla planifolia. Madagascar vanilla, one of the most popular varieties, thrives in partial shade and grows as a climbing vine with delicate flowers.
Originally native to Mexico, vanilla plants relied on a specific Mexican bee for pollination. Without it, there was only about a 1% chance the flower would pollinate naturally.
In 1841, a young enslaved boy named Edmond Albius discovered how to pollinate vanilla blossoms by hand. His discovery changed everything, allowing vanilla to be grown in tropical regions around the world.
From Flower to Bean
- Vanilla plants take 3–4 years to begin producing beans
- Flowers must be pollinated by hand, in the morning
- Pods mature for 9 months before harvest
After harvesting, vanilla beans go through a long, careful curing process:
- Killing – Green pods are dipped in hot water to stop growth
- Sweating – Beans are wrapped to activate enzymes and develop color
- Drying – Sun-dried for about 10 days, then warehouse-dried for 2 months
- Resting – Stored in wooden boxes for another 2–3 months
- Sorting & Packaging – Graded by quality, moisture, and color
It’s a labor-intensive process — which explains why real vanilla is so valuable.
A Word About Vanilla
Not all “vanilla” is created equal.
Many store-bought versions are imitation vanilla, made with synthetic flavoring. Real vanilla extract has a depth and warmth you simply can’t fake.
The best way to ensure quality and flavor?
Make it yourself.
