Make alcohol-free vanilla extract with food-grade glycerin
Scrape seeds from 4 vanilla pods into a jar, cover with food-grade glycerin, then shake occasionally and infuse for 6–8 weeks.
The video shows a glycerin-based method as an alcohol-free alternative. Because glycerin is thicker, scraping the seeds out first helps extraction; it also advises ensuring the glycerin is edible/food grade and checking vegetarian source if needed.
The short version
- Use food-grade glycerin
- Scrape seeds to help extraction in a thicker medium
- Shake occasionally during a 6–8 week infusion
What you need
- jar with lid
- knifeFor splitting/scraping pods
How to do it
- 1
Buy edible/food-grade glycerin (check vegetable vs animal-derived if needed).
If sourcing details aren’t clear, the video suggests buying online.
Watch this step - 2
Scrape the seeds from vanilla pods (the video uses 4 pods for 200 ml).
Scraping helps because glycerin is thicker.
Watch this step - 3
- 4
- 5
What goes wrong
Using non-food-grade glycerin
Confirm it’s edible/food grade before using
Not scraping seeds when using glycerin
Scrape seeds out to give the thicker glycerin a ‘helping hand’
Why it works
Thicker glycerin benefits from exposing the seeds directly to speed flavour transfer; time and agitation help infusion.
Put it to use
Learn next
Meal-prep chia pudding for the week and store it in the fridge
Make multiple portions at once and keep them refrigerated so you can grab a ready-to-eat pudding whenever you need.
Poke holes and spoon citrus juice onto a warm cake to infuse flavor and moisture
After a short rest, poke holes in the cake and spoon over citrus juice so it soaks through.
How to split a vanilla bean to expose the seeds for extract
Slice a fresh vanilla pod lengthwise to expose the seeds, then cut it in half so it fits in the jar before adding alcohol.
How to make homemade extracts using alcohol (basic method)
Put the flavoring ingredient in a sealable jar, cover completely with pure vodka (alcohol), seal, shake, and let it infuse in a cupboard for several weeks.