Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

You can make the most amazing, aromatic, 2-ingredient, vanilla extract right at home. It's less expensive than store-bought and it makes a wonderful edible gift! Plus, we have a new free, printable label that you can download!

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Hi Friends, did you know that you can make your own Homemade Vanilla Extract? It's so easy!

All you need are 2 ingredients: Vanilla beans and vodka and time (6 weeks).

I have been making it for years now and it's hard to imagine not making my own Homemade Vanilla Extract now.

If you are a baker, make this for yourself or know a baker, this makes a wonderful edible gift - right on time for the holidays!

I love this Vanilla Extract in coffee, drinks, baked recipes, or any recipes requiring vanilla extract (there are so many!)

RELATED: Featured Recipes Collection, Thanksgiving Menu 2019, Holiday Side Dish Recipes Collection

This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission.

Ingredients

• vanilla beans, grade A, I usually get ones from Madagascar *I linked to the kind that I got in the recipe card below
• vodka (you can use a cheap variety for this recipe, 70-90 proof is fine)

I always like to keep extra vanilla beans in the kitchen pantry because you never know when you will need them.

Kitchen Tools

Here are some helpful kitchen tools for making this Homemade Vanilla Extract:

• bottles
• funnel
• measuring spoons and cups
• 2-cup wet measure
• swing top glass bottles

I linked to the kitchen tools that I used for this recipe in the recipe card below.

Web Story

RELATED: Coquito, Grinch Sugar Cookies

Our Other Recipes and Posts

If you like this Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe, check out our other recipes and posts:

• Homemade Apple Quick Bread
• Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream and Frosting
• Homemade Zucchini Bread Recipe
• Apple Blackberry Coconut Crisp
• How to Make Rosemary Soap
• Quick Breads Recipe Collection
• Tuna Salad Recipe
• Mile High Pear Pie
• No Knead Bread Rolls
• Homemade Zucchini Fritters
• Tuna Melts
• Vanilla Coconut Icing
• No-Knead Oatmeal Bread
• Green Bean Casserole
• Strawberry Mint Shortcake with Ladyfingers
• Avocado Recipes Collection
• Instant Pot Recipes Collection
• Broccoli Cheese Soup and Hot Turkey Club Panini on Sofabfood
• Seafood Recipes Collection
• Everything Bagel Seasoned Avocado Toast
• Tomato Recipes Collection
• No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
• Crème Brûlée
• Homemade Garden Fresh Salsa
• Peach Cobbler Recipe
• Ganache Tart
• Homemade Carrot Ginger Soup
• Irish Coffee
• Maple Cinnamon Butter
• Caprese Pizza
• Chocolate Eggnog Fudge
• Strawberry Nutella Waffles
• Strawberry Recipes Collection
• Mint Cookies and Cream Overnight Oats
• Galette Recipes
• Wineberry Recipes Collection
• Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Bites
• Cherry Oatmeal Pancakes
• Lemon Rosemary Salmon
• Dumpling Recipes Collection
• Slow Cooker Crock-Pot Butter Corn
• French Press Coffee
• Almond Crescent Cookies
• Thanksgiving Guide
• Apple Crisp
• Cheesecake Recipes Collection
• Tea Recipes Collection
• Bars Recipes Collection
• Cold Brew Brownies
• Flower Ice Cubes

Web Story

If you like this How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe tutorial and like it, please give this recipe a rating and let us know in the comments below, thank you for reading and following along!

Homemade Vanilla Extract Label

• Get the free, Homemade Vanilla Extract label download, HERE.

This post was originally published on 12/22/2019 and updated and republished on 9/2/2021

Continue to Content

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Yield: 8 ounces

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Additional Time: 1 month

Total Time: 1 month 3 minutes

You can make the most amazing, aromatic, 2-ingredient, vanilla extract right at home. It’s less expensive than store-bought and it makes a wonderful edible gift!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vanilla beans, split lengthwise, grade A* (optional, if you want the vanilla seeds to float around)
• 8 ounces vodka, 70-90 proof (you can use the cheapest kind, no need to use expensive vodka for this recipe)

Instructions

1. In a lidded glass bottle, add the vanilla beans, put a funnel on top and add the vodka to the bottle. Put the lid on and shake.
2. Shake daily for 4-6 weeks. Optionally, you can filter the finished vanilla extract with a cheesecloth, if you want (I never do) before using.
3. When the vanilla extract is at the color you desire, you can then, transfer it to amber color glass bottles for storing or gift-giving.

Notes

• *I usually get vanilla beans from Madagascar

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned #ad

• 
  Norpro Stainless Steel Funnels, Set of 3
• 
  Swing Top Glass Bottles - Flip Top Brewing Bottles For Kombucha, Kefir, Beer - Clear Color - 16oz Size - Set of 6 - Leak Proof Easy Caps, Bonus Gaskets, Chalkboard Labels and Pen - Fast Clean Design
• 
  Nakpunar Swing Top Glass Bottles, 8.5 Ounce - Set of 4
• 
  Vivaplex, 12, Amber, 2 oz Glass Bottles, with Lids
• 
  Vanilla Products USA 5 Grade A Prime Gourmet Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Beans 5~6"
• 
  Swing Top Glass Bottles - Flip Top Brewing Bottles For Kombucha, Kefir, Beer - Clear Color - 16oz Size - Set of 6 - Leak Proof Easy Caps, Bonus Gaskets, Chalkboard Labels and Pen - Fast Clean Design
• 
  Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup, Red Graphics, Clear
• 
  Homestia Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Stainless Steel 8 PIECE for Dry and Liquid Ingredients Engraved Measurement Heavy Duty Baking & Cooking Utensils

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 48 Serving Size: 1 teaspoon
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 12Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? If you share it on social media tag us @lifeslittlesweets and hashtag it #lifeslittlesweets - Thank you in advance!

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

Follow me

Latest posts by Sara Maniez (see all)

• Fall Soup Recipes - October 4, 2025
• Pumpkin Spice Bread - October 2, 2025
• Blueberry Syrup - July 5, 2025