Stop Overpaying: How to Save Almost 90% on Vanilla Extract

Real vanilla extract is shockingly expensive. Just 2 ounces of organic, pure Madagascar vanilla extract costs $19.41 at Walmart.

I can make the same thing at home for $3.04.

Homemade vanilla extract is one of those simple swaps that saves you money but also adds an X-factor to recipes.

As a sourdough baker, I pride myself on using high-quality ingredients that are as natural as possible. Homemade vanilla extract is definitely one of those ingredients, and it truly makes a difference.

And please, for the love of God, do not use imitation vanilla extract. It’s literally petroleum-based.

Here’s how to make your own vanilla extract for a fraction of the price.

Why Homemade Vanilla Extract is Worth It

• Game-Changer for Baking: There’s no comparison between store-bought and homemade vanilla extract. This version has a rich, full-bodied vanilla flavor that adds depth to everything from cookies to sourdough waffles to homemade ice cream.
• Major Cost Savings: Store-bought vanilla extract is ridiculously expensive, but making your own saves you almost 90% without sacrificing quality. More vanilla, less money? Yes, please.
• Ridiculously Easy: If you can slice a vanilla bean and pour vodka, you can make this recipe. It takes just a few minutes of hands-on time—then, all you have to do is wait.
• Customizable Flavor: Bourbon vanilla extract? Rum-infused vanilla? You get to choose the alcohol base, making this recipe a fun experiment for flavor enthusiasts.
• No Artificial Additives: Unlike some store-bought brands that contain fillers, added sugar, or extremely low-quality alcohol, this homemade version is 100% pure vanilla goodness.
• Endless Supply: Once you make a bottle, you can keep topping it off with more vodka, stretching your vanilla beans for years. You’ll never run out again.

What You Need

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To make homemade vanilla extract, you need:

• Vanilla beans: I found these Grade A Organic Madagascar Vanilla Beans on Amazon. They’re incredibly high quality, and they’re a great price. Do NOT – I repeat, do NOT – buy vanilla beans from the grocery store spice aisle. It’s a total rip-off.
• Swingtop bottles: I use these swingtop bottles for my extracts, and they’re amazing. If you don’t want to make a special purchase, you could use mason jars, but I love how easy it is to pour the extract out of these particular bottles.
• Vodka (or other spirit): Last but not least, you’ll need vodka to fill up your jars. Vodka is the most neutral option, but a lot of people love using other spirits for a unique flavor. Bourbon is a popular option – hello, bourbon vanilla ice cream! – but you could use anything. I’ve heard of people using anything from rum to tequila.

Note: I’d use a mid-price vodka like Tito’s, or my personal favorite, Reyka. You definitely don’t need to splurge on a higher-priced vodka (those aren’t any better than the ones I’ve named, anyway). You can use bottom-shelf vodka, but I tend to think if you wouldn’t normally drink it, don’t use it in an extract.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making vanilla extract could not be easier!

Step 1: Score your vanilla beans.

To expose the vanilla beans and get all those lovely flavors infusing in the vodka, you’ll want to score the length of the vanilla bean from the top to the bottom. You don’t necessarily need to cut the whole thing in half, though I suppose you could if you like.

Step 2: Put 1 oz vanilla beans in each swingtop bottle.

In each bottle, add about 0.8 oz of your scored vanilla beans. If you buy the kind I use, it’s about 10 vanilla beans. Yep, it really is this easy…

Note: I have always done 6-7 vanilla beans per bottle, because this is what I was taught. However, many followers shared with me the USDA guidelines for a vanilla extract to be considered “pure,” and it breaks down to 0.84 oz of vanilla beans for every 8 oz of alcohol. I’ve adjusted my recipe in this post to match!

Step 3: Fill bottles with vodka.

Fill your swingtop bottles with vodka (or whatever other spirit you’ve chosen).

Close them up and stick them in a cool, dark place (like the back of your pantry).

Step 4: Wait.

It takes about 6 months for the vanilla beans to fully infuse the vodka and make a proper vanilla extract.

This is likely why vanilla extract is so expensive at the store – we’re paying for storage!

Now, I did wait the initial 6 months for my vanilla beans to fully infuse the vodka. I made about 8 bottles of vanilla extract using all of my supplies, so the way I see it, it’s a one-time waiting period.

If you make multiple bottles, you’ll essentially have a lifetime of vanilla extract.

After you finish a bottle, simply fill it back up with vodka. Consider adding a new vanilla bean or two. That’s it!

How to Speed Up the Process

If you don’t want to wait 6 months for your extract to be ready, you might consider the pressure cooker (Instant Pot) method.

Note: many followers have strongly advised against this method due to the risk of the alcohol burning up and causing potential 3rd-degree burns. Proceed with caution.

I haven’t personally tried it, but it has been recommended to me by dozens of followers.

You can pressure-cook vanilla extract for about 30 minutes, and it drastically speeds up the process, providing you with nearly ready-to-use extract.

Cost Breakdown: Homemade vs. Store-Bought

I get an immense amount of satisfaction out of making my husband guess just how much money I’ve saved on different purchases. Homemade vanilla extract is no exception.

Here’s the math:

• Vanilla beans: $39.99 for 50 beans
• Vodka: $30.99 for 1.75L (I buy Reyka, which is this price)
• Total cost per 8 oz: $12.16
• Cost per 2 oz: $3.04

Now, compare that to the store-bought stuff:

• Simply Organic Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract (2 oz): $19.41

That means:

• You’re saving $16.37 per 2 oz.
• 8 oz of homemade vanilla extract costs $65.48 less than buying the same amount at the store.

That’s almost 90% savings without the markup, potential fillers, or low-quality alcohol.

And the best part? This isn’t just about cost. You’re getting high-quality, organic vanilla extract with zero weird additives. You control the ingredients. You control the quality.

If you bake as much as I do, making your own vanilla extract is a no-brainer. There’s something incredibly satisfying about pouring my homemade vanilla extract into sourdough waffle batter and seeing those tiny specks of real vanilla beans.

You’re not gettin’ that from the storebought stuff.

FAQs

How long does homemade vanilla extract last?

Homemade vanilla extract essentially lasts indefinitely. If you want to get particular about it, most people would tell you to look at the expiration date on your bottle of vodka. But in reality, that’s just a legality. Alcohol lasts indefinitely.

I’ve seen videos of native Hawaiians talking about a jar of vanilla extract they inherited from their grandparents – with the original vanilla beans inside. I’m not sure if you want to go that far, but yeah; homemade vanilla extract lasts a long time.

How long does it take to make homemade vanilla extract?

It takes 10-15 minutes to make homemade vanilla extract for the first time. It’s not a difficult process. It’s just a matter of scoring the vanilla beans and funneling your vodka into the swingtop bottles.

Is homemade vanilla extract alcoholic?

Homemade vanilla extract contains alcohol, just like the stuff you buy from the store. However, you generally use a very small amount in recipes since the flavor is so concentrated, and the alcohol mostly bakes off during baking.

How long does homemade vanilla extract need to sit?

Unless you use a speedy trick like utilizing the pressure cooker, homemade vanilla extract needs to sit for about 6 months before you use it. A lot of sources say 4-6 months, but at 4 months, my extract wasn’t quite ready yet and was still fairly light in color. It really deepened and matured around the 6-month mark.

Conclusion

With just two ingredients and a little patience, you can make high-quality, DIY vanilla extract for nearly 90% less than the storebought stuff.

Let me know if you make your own extracts in the comments below.

Use this extract in: Fast & Easy Sourdough Discard Waffles