This homemade vanilla bean paste is thick, glossy, and packed with real vanilla flecks. Made with 8 vanilla beans, vodka, corn syrup, and a touch of xanthan gum, it’s ultra-concentrated and better than store-bought. Use it 1:1 in place of vanilla extract in all your favorite recipes!
Ingredients
- 8 (22g) grade A whole vanilla beans Madagascar or Tahitian
- 1/4 cup vodka or bourbon
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/8 tsp xanthan gum optional, see notes
- Pinch fine sea salt
Instructions
- Slice each vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife.
- Add both the seeds and the empty pods to your Nutribullet cup or blender.
- Pour in vodka, corn syrup, sugar, and salt.
- Blend on high for 2-3 minutes or until smooth.
- Stop halfway to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Add in the xanthan gum and blend.
- Paste should be thick but smooth with visible flecks. The paste will continue to thicken overnight.
- Transfer to a 4 oz or 6 oz glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store at room temp and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use Grade A beans for the smoothest texture and easiest blending. Grade B beans can work, but they’re better for extract since they’re drier.
- If your blender struggles to break down the pods, try chopping them into small pieces or soaking them in the vodka for 5–10 minutes before blending.
- Xanthan gum is optional but highly recommended for that glossy, spoonable consistency (just like store-bought).
- For an alcohol-free version, replace vodka with food-grade vegetable glycerin and refrigerate.
- This recipe yields about ¾ cup of paste (12 tablespoons) and can be doubled for gifting or bulk prep.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!