Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Sarah Mock As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Making this sous vide vanilla extract recipe will give you homemade vanilla extract in less time.

Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (1)

Don’t lose this recipe! Enter your email below and we will email this recipe to you, plus more yummy recipes weekly.

This easy vanilla recipe is perfect as a homemade gift to give, a foodie gift or even as a hostess gift. Always have homemade vanilla or vanilla paste in your cabinet for all your baking recipes.

If you are looking for more sous vide recipes to make infusions in less time be sure to make sous vide grapefruit infused gin, sous vide limoncello, cold brew coffeeand lilac infused alcohol. Be sure to check out my complete collection of sous vide recipes.

Why is sous vide the fastest way to make vanilla extract?

Using the sous vide method of cooking to infuse your alcohol to make homemade vanilla extract not only cuts your infusion time from weeks to hours, in my opinion, it gives it a deeper depth of flavor. By gently warming the alcohol, the flavors and colors of the vanilla beans are quickly drawn into the infusion.

What kind of alcohol is used to make vanilla extract?

There are a few alcohols that can be used to make vanilla extract. Vodka has the most neutral flavor and can be the most cost-effective, but bourbon, brandy, or rum would be different alternatives to vodka. Each different alcohol will give your homemade vanilla extract a unique flavor profile. Leave the top-shelf or high-proof alcohol on the shelf when choosing your alcohol for making vanilla extract. A simple 40% (80 proof) alcohol will do the job.

DIY Vanilla Extract ingredients

  • 2 cups vodka
  • 4 split vanilla beans

How to make sous vide vanilla extract:

  1. In a mason jar place 2 cups of your chosen alcohol and 4 split vanilla beans,
  2. Secure them with clean lids and bands.
  3. Heat your sous vide to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Carefully submerge the jars in the heated water, ensuring they covered by at least an inch of water.
  5. Process for a minimum of 1 hour.
  6. The longer you sous vide the vanilla extract, the richer and deeper the flavor will become.
  7. I sous vide for 4 hours to achieve the vanilla in this photos.
  8. Remove from the sous vide bath and allow to cool completely before storage.

How do you make traditional vanilla extract?

  1. To make vanilla extract combine 2 cups of vodka and 4 vanilla beans that have been split to reveal the vanilla bean seeds inside the pod.
  2. In a closed canning jar, submerge the vanilla in your chosen alcohol.
  3. Close the container and wait 3-4 weeks until the infusion is complete.

How will I know the vanilla extract is ready?

Your homemade vanilla extract will be ready when the fragrance of the alcohol no longer smells of alcohol and smells strongly of vanilla. The color of the alcohol will be golden to amber in color.

Sous vide drink recipes:

  • The best eggnog recipe
  • Sous Vide Cold Brew Coffee
  • Sous Vide Grapefruit Infused Gin
  • Homemade cucumber infused gin
  • Sous Vide Homemade Limoncello Recipe
  • Lilac Infused Alcohol

Sous vide dessert recipes:

  • Sous Vide Creme Brulee
  • Sous Vide Oreo Cheesecake
  • Sous Vide Lemon Curd
  • Sous Vide Mascarpone Cheese
Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (2)

Why use amber jars for homemade vanilla extract?

I have started to use amber jarswhen making my homemade vanilla extract because the amber canning jar provides excellent UV protection for the vanilla extract. This is important because UV rays can sometimes change the components of the vanilla infusion. By blocking the UV rays your DIY vanilla extract will retain the gorgeous amber flavor and color. This is not due to the color of the canning jar but due to the fact that the color amber blocks out the damaging UV rays.

Seafood sous vide recipes:

  • Sea Bass with roasted tomatoes, corn, olives and capers
  • How to perfectly cook shrimp
  • Mahi Mahi tacos
Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (3)

Can you get drunk off of vanilla extract?

It is possible to get drunk off of of this recipe for vanilla extract. With the high alcohol content it is possible if you drank the right serving for your body mass. I do not recommend trying to get drunk off of this vanilla extract or any alcohol, for that matter. Drunkenness is not one of the things I savor. Keep this vanilla extract out of reach of children and use it in appropriate proportions in recipes and co*cktails.

Meat sous vide recipes:

  • Sous Vide Stuffed Flank Steak
  • Boneless pork chops
  • Sous vide beef burgundy
  • Sous Vide Turkey Breast
  • Bacon sous vide
  • Corned Beef

Pin to Pinterest:

Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (4)

📖 Recipe

Sous Vide Vanilla Extract

Sarah Mock

Making this sous vide vanilla extract recipe will give you homemade vanilla extract in less time. This easy vanilla recipe is perfect as a homemade gifts to give, a foodie gift or even as a hostess gift. Always have homemade vanilla in your cabinet for all your baking recipes.

5 from 15 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Note From Sarah

There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

Prep time for the recipePrep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook time for the recipeCook Time 1 hour hr

total time to prep and cook the recipe.Total Time 1 hour hr 3 minutes mins

Course Drinks - Non Alcoholic

Cuisine American

Makes 96 teaspoons

Per Serving 11 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vodka
  • 4 split vanilla beans

Instructions

Sous vide vanilla extract recipe

  • In a mason jar place 2 cups of your chosen alcohol and 4 split vanilla beans,

  • Secure them with clean lids and bands.

  • Heat your sous vide to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Carefully submerge the jars in the heated water, ensuring they covered by at least an inch of water.

  • Process for a minimum of 1 hour.

  • The longer you sous vide the vanilla extract, the richer and deeper the flavor will become.

  • I sous vide for 4 hours to achieve the vanilla in this photos.

  • Remove from the sous vide bath and allow to cool completely before storage.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 11kcal

Nutrition Disclosure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

More Canning Recipes

  • Canning Cranberry Juice 🫙
  • Canning Pizza Sauce (Fresh Tomatoes)
  • Preserved Figs In Syrup
  • Homemade Fig Preserves Recipe Without Pectin

About Sarah Mock

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Stephanie

    Do you remove the beans after the sous vide or leave them in?

    Reply

    • Sarah Mock

      The choice is up to you! I leave them in for 'carry over' infusion but once the time is up, the vanilla is ready. They can be removed.
      Sarah

      Reply

  2. Emily Luczkowski

    What is the advantage of using the sous vide verse an instant pot for vanilla extract? TIA

    Reply

    • Sarah

      Emily, I don't have an instant pot so I can't speak from experience but I know that with the sous vide version you have to the .10 degree control of the temperature. By having a specific temperature I know the alcohol is far below the boiling point of 173.

      Reply

  3. Kasey Schwartz

    Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (10)
    I have always wanted to make my own vanilla. I think I'll try this for all of my holiday baking coming up! THANKS!

    Reply

    • Sarah

      It it super easy for when you need a lot of vanilla!

      Reply

  4. Linda Nortje

    Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (11)
    So glad I found your recipe as vanilla extract is getting so expensive ! Never would have thought to sous vide a homemade extract !

    Reply

    • Sarah

      Home made is the way to go! Sous vide get you there faster.

      Reply

Homemade Vanilla Recipe - Sous Vide Extract - Savoring The Good® (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell if homemade vanilla extract is good? ›

You can learn a lot just by looking at your extract. Visually, is it a dark, amber color? If it was made with a light spirit (like a vodka or a white rum) you will be able to see through it when you hold it up to a light source. It should be a beautiful amber color.

How long should homemade vanilla extract sit? ›

You only need 2 ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using. Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options.

How do you balance vanilla extract? ›

If I added too much vanilla by mistake, I would balance it with a contrasting flavor. A pinch more salt (not enough to make the recipe salty, some citrus zest (vanilla and citrus are excellent companion flavors), maybe something dark and slightly bitter like buckwheat honey or molasses.

Can bacteria grow in homemade vanilla extract? ›

Some people suggest sterilising the jar first but bacteria cannot grow in 40% alcohol so I didn't bother with this step. And because of the alcohol it will last for years. Give it a quick shake, then store in a dark place like the pantry for about 2 months. Keeping it out of the light helps keep the nutritional value.

Why does my homemade vanilla extract still taste like vodka? ›

Answer #2: Alcohol is normal. Remember that all "Pure" extracts are required to have a minimum 35% alcohol content, which is just as much alcohol that is in hard liquor.

How often should I shake my homemade vanilla extract? ›

After some time has passed, give the jar a shake once or twice a week, until the alcohol turns a rich brown and smells of fragrant vanilla essence. The total time will depend on how many beans and how much vodka you use. For the most potent final product, let your extract bloom for 6–12 months before breaking into it.

Should I strain my homemade vanilla extract? ›

If you would like to strain out the vanilla bean seeds, you can do so with a fine-mesh strainer. But I recommend leaving the vanilla beans with their seeds in the jar. That way, you can continue to gradually refill the bottle with more vodka as you use the vanilla extract.

Does homemade vanilla extract ever go bad? ›

When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening. What is the shelf life of my vanilla beans? When stored properly, two years.

Should I use vodka or Everclear for vanilla extract? ›

Vodka is the preferred alcohol for extractions like this, as its flavor is neutral and does not compete with that of the vanilla beans.

How many times can vanilla beans be used to make vanilla extract? ›

It is up to you when you want to discard the old beans and start fresh. I choose to use them 2-4 times, depending on the quality of the beans, how long the extract has been sitting and if I've been careful about making sure the beans stay submerged at all times.

What are the best vanilla beans for making vanilla extract? ›

Indonesian Vanilla – The beans from Indonesia are mass-produced and usually a grade B bean. For making homemade vanilla extract, this is the type that is recommended. They may be a bit more brittle and dried out which makes them perfect for the long soaking in vodka or bourbon.

What flavor cancels out vanilla? ›

Pure maple syrup has a rich, delicious flavor that both compliments and replaces the vanilla flavor in most baked recipes. It also has the added benefit of adding moisture to baked goods, so it's a great alternative for cakes, pound cakes and muffins.

Why does my vanilla extract smell like alcohol? ›

We sell only pure vanilla here at the Vanilla Company, and we also buy our beans in small quantity, so it shouldn't be surprising that the smell of alcohol accompanies our extracts. But there is a way to eliminate that aroma. It's simple. Just add sugar.

What cancels out the taste of vanilla extract? ›

If you are looking for something to "balance" the flavor a little bit, you could maybe try salt or lemon juice/extract.

How can you tell if vanilla extract is pure? ›

Pure vanilla extract must contain vanilla beans, water, and alcohol. Alcohol is used to "extract" the flavor from the vanilla beans. Per the FDA's definition of "vanilla extract," it must contain at least 35 percent alcohol by volume and at least 100 grams of vanilla bean per liter.

Why does my homemade vanilla taste like alcohol? ›

So, yes, it's very common for alcohol-free vanilla extracts to be based on glycerin, and it's normal for glycerin (which is bitter) to taste like alcohol (which is also bitter). As a side note, there may be other ways of extracting vanilla than with alcohol and with glycerin, and not all of them will taste the same.

Is homemade vanilla extract stronger than store bought? ›

To make your own vanilla extract, you'll need 6 whole vanilla pods and 8 oz. alcohol (70-proof or above). At 12.5% concentration, this homemade extract is slightly stronger than single-fold vanilla extract; use it wherever a more prominent vanilla flavor is desired.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6208

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.