Thomas Family Farm
How to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract at Home

How to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract at Home

• By Thomas Family

Why Make Your Own Vanilla Extract?

Commercial vanilla extract can be expensive and sometimes contains additives. Making your own is simple, cost-effective, and produces a superior product. At Thomas Family Farm, we’ve been perfecting this process for years, and we’re excited to share our method with you.

What You’ll Need

  • Premium vanilla beans - Quality matters! We recommend using Madagascar or Tahitian varieties
  • Vodka or high-proof alcohol - The alcohol helps extract vanilla compounds
  • A glass jar - Airtight glass jars work best
  • Patience - Good things take time

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Vanilla Beans

  • Purchase whole vanilla beans that are plump and fragrant
  • Split each bean lengthwise using a sharp knife
  • Scrape out the tiny seeds inside (you can use these in baking too!)

Step 2: Fill Your Jar

  • Place vanilla bean halves in your glass jar
  • For a standard recipe, use 6-8 whole beans per cup of alcohol
  • More beans = stronger flavor (and you can always use more)

Step 3: Add Alcohol

  • Pour your chosen spirit over the vanilla beans
  • Use high-proof alcohol (at least 35% ABV) for best results
  • Make sure all beans are submerged

Step 4: Store and Wait

  • Cap your jar tightly
  • Store in a cool, dark place
  • Shake gently once or twice a week
  • Be patient - it takes 4-6 weeks for decent vanilla extract, but 2-3 months for premium quality

Step 5: Strain and Enjoy

  • After your desired steeping time, strain out the beans
  • Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
  • Transfer to clean bottles
  • Your homemade vanilla extract will keep indefinitely!

Pro Tips from Our Farm

  1. Save the beans - After straining, don’t throw away the vanilla beans. Use them in sugar to make vanilla sugar, perfect for baking.

  2. Double extract - After straining, you can add fresh vodka to the same beans for a second batch (it won’t be quite as strong, but still wonderful).

  3. Gift worthy - Homemade vanilla extract makes beautiful gifts for bakers and cooking enthusiasts.

  4. Use in everything - Beyond baking, vanilla extract adds warmth to coffee, hot chocolate, smoothies, and even savory dishes.

The Difference It Makes

Once you taste homemade vanilla extract in your baking, you’ll never go back to store-bought. The flavor is richer, more complex, and truly special.

Buy Our Premium Vanilla Beans

If you’d like to get started right away, stop by Thomas Family Farm to pick up our selection of premium vanilla beans. We’re happy to help you choose the best beans for your extract.

Happy vanilla making! We’d love to hear how your homemade extract turns out. Stop by the farm and tell us your vanilla extraction story!

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