Homemade vanilla is one of those pantry staples that sounds much more complicated than it really is.
You need vanilla beans, alcohol, a jar-and patience.
That's about it!
I recently realized I was getting low on the homemade vanilla I already had in my pantry, so it was time to start another batch. And since one of my YouTube viewers had asked me to show how I make it, this seemed like the perfect time to bring everyone along.
For this batch, I'm using Madagascar vanilla beans and Kentucky bourbon.
Now comes the hardest part:
Waiting for it!
Why Make Your Own Vanilla?
I use vanilla frequently in my kitchen, especially for baking, so it's something I like having on hand.
Making my own allows me to prepare a larger amount at once and let it sit in the pantry until I need it.
And the actual hands-on work takes only a few minutes.
This isn't one of those homemade projects that requires an afternoon in the kitchen. Once the beans and bourbon are in the jar, time does most of the work for you.
Watch Me Make Homemade Bourbon Vanilla
This is much easier to understand when you see just how simple the process really is.
You'll see exactly how I prepare the vanilla beans, the amount I'm making and what my older homemade vanilla looks like compared with the brand-new batch.
What You Need to Make Homemade Bourbon Vanilla
For the batch I made, I used:
- 15 Madagascar vanilla beans (approximately 1.7 ounces)
- 20 ounces Kentucky bourbon
- A clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
That's it.
Two ingredients!
How I Prepare the Vanilla Beans
I like to score my vanilla beans before putting them into the bourbon.
Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut lengthwise along each vanilla bean to expose the inside of the pod.
You don't need to scrape out all of the seeds. I leave the beans intact and put them directly into my jar.
If your beans are too long for your container, you can bend or cut them so they're completely covered by the alcohol.
How to Make Homemade Bourbon Vanilla
Place the prepared vanilla beans into a clean glass jar.
Pour the bourbon over the beans, making sure they are submerged.
Secure the lid tightly.
Give the jar a shake and place it in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat.
Every so often, when you think about it, give the jar another gentle shake.
Then you wait.
Over time, you'll see the bourbon become darker as it takes on the color, aroma and flavor from the vanilla beans.
How Long Does Homemade Vanilla Take?
This is definitely not an instant pantry project.
Vanilla needs time to develop.
You'll begin seeing changes relatively early, but I prefer to think of homemade vanilla as something I'm preparing for the future rather than something I need next week.
The longer it sits, the more time the vanilla beans have to infuse the alcohol.
That's why I like starting a new batch before I've completely run out of the old one.
Why I Used Bourbon
Vodka is probably the alcohol most people associate with homemade vanilla because of its relatively neutral flavor.
But it isn't your only option.
For this batch, I'm using Kentucky bourbon. Bourbon brings some of its own flavor characteristics to the finished vanilla, which I especially enjoy for baking.
Rum and other suitable spirits can also be used, but each one will contribute a slightly different flavor.
If you want the vanilla bean flavor to be as neutral and straightforward as possible, vodka may be your preference.
If you enjoy the additional character that bourbon brings, give bourbon vanilla a try.
Where to Store Homemade Vanilla
Keep your jar tightly closed in a cool, dark cupboard.
I don't refrigerate or freeze my homemade vanilla.
Direct sunlight and heat aren't helpful, so a pantry or kitchen cupboard away from the stove is a good choice.
I also like using a clear jar because I can see how the color develops-but the jar stays in the dark cupboard when I'm not checking it.
Label Your Jar!
This is an easy step to forget.
Put the date you started your vanilla somewhere on the jar.
Several months from now, you won't have to wonder:
"When did I make this?"
You may also want to write the type of alcohol and vanilla bean on the label, especially if you eventually experiment with different combinations.
For example:
Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla
Started: August 2026
The Cost of My Homemade Vanilla
For this particular batch, my ingredients cost approximately:
- Bourbon used: $13.34
- 15 Madagascar vanilla beans: $9.95
- Total: approximately $23.29
For approximately 20 ounces, that's roughly $1.16 per ounce, before the cost of the jar or any smaller bottles you might eventually use.
Prices for both vanilla beans and bourbon can vary considerably, so your cost will depend on what you purchase.
For me, though, this is another example of why I like doing the math rather than automatically assuming homemade is cheaper-or more expensive.
Is This the Same as Commercial Vanilla Extract?
I'm showing you how I make bourbon vanilla for my own kitchen.
Commercial vanilla extract has specific standards regarding the proportions of vanilla beans and alcohol used. My homemade pantry vanilla isn't intended to represent a commercially standardized vanilla extract.
It's simply the vanilla I make, keep in my pantry and use in my own cooking and baking.
A Simple Pantry Project That's Worth the Wait
There isn't much instant gratification involved in making vanilla.
You put two ingredients into a jar-and then you wait.
But I think that's part of what I enjoy about pantry projects like this.
A few minutes of work today gives me something I'll be able to use over and over again in my kitchen later.
And every time I pull that jar out of the cupboard to bake something, I'm glad I took the time to make it.
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