Tired of unnecessary sugars and ingredients in your vanilla extract? Make it yourself with this easy DIY tutorial on how to make homemade vanilla extract.
 
Tired of unnecessary sugars and ingredients in your vanilla extract? Make it yourself with this easy DIY tutorial on how to make homemade vanilla extract. #homemade #diy #vanilla #glutenfree #realfood #dairyfree #sugarfree #eggfree
 

Homemade vanilla extract.

Making vanilla is make at home is very easy, and can even save you money. I started making it a couple years ago and haven’t gone back since! Unless you buy your vanilla from somewhere in Central or South America, I would say the taste and quality of homemade vanilla outshines any you would buy in the store. 
 
vanilla bean pods from raiasrecipes.com

 

How to make vanilla extract.

Making vanilla at home is very easy. As with most ferments and tinctures, the hardest part is waiting for it to be done!

The beans.

To start with you need to find good quality vanilla beans. My favorites are from Madagascar or Tahiti. I usually buy them on amazon.com or from Azure Standard.

The alcohol.

I have heard of people making vanilla extract with glycerin, but I always use alcohol. You can use bourbon or vodka for your extract. I usually use vodka because it’s cheaper. Also, bourbon is made from corn and I am very sensitive to corn. Vodka is made from potatoes, though there are brands that use wheat. So just keep that in mind if you have a wheat allergy or sensitivity. If you have celiac or gluten intolerance and you’re worried about using wheat vodka, you don’t need to be worried. The distillation process depletes the vodka of any gluten.

The jars.

Nothing fancy here, folks! I use old salad jar bottles and regular mason jars. Just make sure your jar has a good sealing lid, ’cause you’re going to need to shake your vanilla extract.

Homemade vanilla extract from raiasrecipes.com

How to use your homemade vanilla!

My hubby is addicted to using vanilla – he will put it in pretty much anything! Here are a few of our favorite recipes to use our homemade vanilla extract in…

 

Tired of unnecessary sugars and ingredients in your vanilla extract? Make it yourself with this easy DIY tutorial on how to make homemade vanilla extract. #homemade #diy #vanilla #glutenfree #realfood #dairyfree #sugarfree #eggfree

In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Free from grain, gluten, eggs, dairy, and sugar.

Ingredients

Instructions

On a cutting board, slice the vanilla pods down the center, revealing the beans. Don’t worry about going all the way to the end.

Place the beans in an pint-sized mason jar (or something like that) and pour the vodka over the sliced bean pods.

Screw the lid on tight and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, until the vodka is speckled with vanilla bean flecks.

Store in a dark cupboard for about 6 weeks, shaking vigorously every two or three days.

Notes

If you’re extra frugal, when your vanilla bottle is half empty from use, refill with vodka and continue as before. I usually don’t refill mine more than twice, as each refill weakens the vanilla.

Raias Recipes - https://raiasrecipes.com
Homemade Vanilla by Raia's Recipes