Making Pure Vanilla Extract at home is a fun way to save some money on a high quality ingredient, and also makes for a fantastic gift! Using the Instant Pot allows for the extract to be made quickly and with a much richer flavor than the traditional pantry method of just letting time do the work.
Vanilla Extract is one of the items in my kitchen that I absolutely never skimp on. Once you’ve tried the good stuff, you can’t fathom tainting a perfectly prepared baked good with inferior vanilla. At the very least, always always use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation, but even from there it is fun to try different brands, types of vanilla beans, etc. In the past few years the price of pure vanilla extract has gone BONKERS, and considering how quickly I go through a bottle, I started making my own to save some money. I am happy to report that I have no plans of going back to store-bought for my go-to pure vanilla extract. I do still enjoy a fancy vanilla bean paste and other varieties for special occasions or certain recipes, but my everyday vanilla is this exact recipe. I’ve been using this method to make my own Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract for just over 2 years now, and the flavor is wonderful. I love how clean and pure the flavor is. Plus, since the vanilla beans stay in the jars even during storage, there’s little speckles of vanilla bean that are visible in the extract. Based upon that fact alone, my husband is a staunch supporter. He is a firm believer that the vanilla ice cream with vanilla bean flecks is a far superior confection than those without.
Anyhow, enough about my love for vanilla! In order to make your own Pure Vanilla Extract at home, you’ll need just a few ingredients and a few supplies.
For best results, use the Instant Pot method. I have also tried the pantry method which simply involves placing the vanilla beans and vodka in jars and letting them sit for a long period of time to allow the flavor to extract from the beans naturally. I have done both and while the pantry method is super easy and works okay, I found that no matter how long it steeps it never gets the same depth of flavor extracted from the beans as the pressure cooker method does.
Can you believe the change in color between the before and after?
These are one of the brands of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla beans I have used and enjoyed. (If you buy 10 beans, just scale the recipe to make 5 jars. you'll need 1 cup of vodka per vanilla bean.)
I like to use these cute little bottles and just label them with a sticker and a little ribbon tied around the lid.
PrintHomemade Vanilla Extract (Instant Pot Method)
Making Homemade Vanilla Extract is quicker and easier than ever before thanks to the pressure cooker. In just over an hour, you'll turn your vanilla beans and vodka into high quality pure vanilla extract for use in all of your favorite recipes!
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Ingredients
6 Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans
6 cups Vodka, 80 Proof
1 cup Water
Instant Pot with trivet
3 16-ounce glass canning jars with screw-top lids
Instructions
Using a sharp paring knife, carefully split the vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the caviar (yes, that’s the name of the speckly pulp inside the vanilla bean).
Add 2 split beans to each canning jar.
Pour one cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot liner.
Arrange jars on top of trivet in the instant pot liner. Do not allow jars to touch eachother.
Pour vodka into each jar, until nearly full.
Close lids by lightly screwing on the lids, but not sealing them tight.
Set pressure cooker to HIGH pressure for 60 minutes, followed by 60-90 minutes of natural release. Remove carefully as jars will still be very hot.
Tighten lids securely, label, and store in a cool, dark space indefinitely.
Shake well before using.
Keywords: pure vanilla extract, homemade vanilla, instant pot vanilla extract,
Happy Friday, Friends! Thanks for visiting Kitchen Joy. It means the world to me.
Sweetpea
Can’t wait to try this method! Is the recipe correct that you don’t put any water in the bottom of the instant pot?
Thanks
Mandy
One cup of water goes into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Sorry for any confusion. It was listed in the ingredients but wasn't made clear in the instructions. I've corrected it now. Thanks so much for asking!