Homemade Vanilla Extract (2-Ingredient) | CookOS

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Name: Homemade Vanilla Extract (2-Ingredient)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 8-10 Grade A Madagascar vanilla beans; 8 oz vodka, bourbon, or brandy

Homemade vanilla extract is a two-ingredient infusion of Grade A vanilla beans steeped in vodka, bourbon, or brandy that delivers superior flavor and costs significantly less than commercial versions.

🏷️Vanilla extract 🏷️Vanilla 🏷️Baking 🏷️Diy 🏷️Vanilla bean

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

About·Privacy·Terms

cookingwithshereenonTikTok

Total

5 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$8–$13

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookingwithshereen

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

cookingwithshereenonTikTok

Ingredients

8-10 Grade A Madagascar vanilla beans
8 oz vodka, bourbon, or brandy

2 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Slice the vanilla beans in half lengthwise.
2
Place the sliced vanilla beans into a clean, airtight glass bottle.
3
Pour your choice of alcohol (vodka, bourbon, or brandy) into the bottle, ensuring the vanilla beans are fully submerged.
4
Seal the bottle tightly.
5
Label the bottle with the date.
6
Store the bottle in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
7
Let the mixture steep, shaking it periodically. It will be ready to use in about 2 months, but for the best flavor, allow it to steep for 6-8 months.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Split vanilla beans lengthwise before adding to spirit to maximize surface area and accelerate flavor extraction.
Store the jar in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight; shake or turn it upside-down every few days to ensure even steeping.
Use a glass jar with a tight-sealing lid to prevent evaporation and contamination during the weeks-long infusion.
Strain through fine cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to remove bean debris, then bottle in dark glass or amber bottles to preserve potency.

Substitutions

8-10 Grade A Madagascar vanilla beans → Grade B Madagascar beans or Tahitian/Mexican varieties (affects flavor profile; Grade B is more economical)
Vodka → rum or neutral grain alcohol (vodka is traditional; rum adds sweetness; higher-proof spirits extract faster)

Storage & make-ahead

Store finished extract in a cool, dark cupboard or pantry in sealed glass bottles for up to 2 years; it will not spoil but may intensify in flavor over time.

Equipment

glass jar with tight-sealing lid · fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth · dark glass bottles (optional, for long-term storage)

Common Questions

How long does homemade vanilla extract take to make?

Vanilla extract requires 4–6 weeks of steeping for full flavor development, though it can be used after 2–3 weeks if needed.

Can I use Grade B vanilla beans instead of Grade A?

Yes. Grade B beans are less visually attractive but deliver comparable or even richer flavor due to higher vanillin content; they're also more affordable.