Instant Pot Vanilla Extract + Video Tutorial {Vegan, Gluten-free, Paleo, Low Carb, Keto}

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Making Instant Pot Vanilla Extract saves so much time when making homemade vanilla extract! You can use in as little as 1 day. Suitable for Vegan, Gluten-free, Paleo, Low Carb and Keto diets. Post includes important safety tips and a video tutorial. Weight Watchers points also included.

The completed Instant Pot Vanilla Extract packed in individual bottled and tied with handwritten gift tags

Peeps, this right here is a game changer. You can make homemade vanilla extract in your Instant Pot. Nope, you didn’t read it wrong. In just a fraction of the time you can be using your Instant Pot Vanilla Extract in your recipes.

I loooooooove vanilla beans but quite honestly making homemade vanilla extract was a labour of love. It was worth it in the end but it took soooooooo long.

I’ve been testing this recipe out at home and after carefully researching how to safely cook with alcohol in the Instant Pot, I finally perfected it.

And folks, before making this Instant Pot Vanilla Extract recipe, it is important that you please read through the safety information and tips that I have included further down in this post.

On a recent girls’ night at my house, I made the Instant Pot Vanilla Extract while we ate dinner. Not only was it incredibly aromatic during the entire dinner, the girls left with their own homemade vanilla extract that I would have had to make months in advance. It’s the perfect last minute gift that everyone you know will enjoy.

The completed Instant Pot Vanilla Extract poured into individual bottles and tied with a handwritten gift tag sitting on a blue cloth dish towel

And the best part? It is ready to use in as little as 1 day. For the best results, you will want to let your vanilla extract sit for up to two weeks before use so that the vanilla can continue to infuse flavour into the alcohol.

Please make sure to read the important safety tips and information about cooking with alcohol in the Instant Pot that are included a bit further down in this post.

Instant Pot Vanilla Extract Materials

KITCHEN TOOLS, UTENSILS & APPLIANCES  NEEDED

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my disclosure.

Here are some of the items you will need to make this recipe.

Ready to make Instant Pot Vanilla Extract? Gather your ingredients and I’ll show you how….

How to Make Instant Pot Vanilla Extract Step by Step

  1. Prepare vanilla beans by splitting lengthwise and then cutting in half so they fit inside the jars.
  2. Place vodka and vanilla beans inside jars and seal the lids so that they are finger tight.
    top-down view of two canning jars, vanilla beans and knife set on countertop for making Instant Pot Vanilla Extract
  3. Add the water to the Instant Pot insert.
  4. Place jars on the trivet inside the Instant Pot, close the lid, seal, and set to high pressure for 30 mins.
  5. Allow for a Natural Pressure Release of a full 60 mins.
    Two sealed jars of Instant Pot Vanilla Extract sitting on trivet inside the Instant Pot
  6. Remove jars from Instant Pot with tongs. Let it cool completely, and then store.Completed Instant Pot Vanilla Extract in a small bottle and tied with a handwritten gift tag

Tips for Making Instant Pot Vanilla Extract

  • Beans need to be completely submerged in the vodka. Don’t make the same mistake I did when testing this recipe out a few times. Make sure those beans are cut into thirds and all of the vanilla is in the liquid.
  • For richer and darker homemade vanilla extract do 45 mins in the Instant Pot. Because you will lose more liquid as the vodka evaporates you should use a larger jar. Add 2 cups of vodka per jar with 6 vanilla sticks cut per jar. This is a lesson I learned the hard way. Don’t repeat my mistakes folks. Move up in size.
  • Using new canning jars is a good idea. If you are worried you could reuse your canning jar a few times before moving on to a new jar.
  • You can fit 3-4 canning jars inside your Instant Pot depending on the size of the jar and the Instant Pot.
  • Make sure liquid is just below the first jar thread as the liquid needs room to expand.

How Soon Can You use Your Pressure Cooker Vanilla Extract?

Instant Pot Vanilla Extract is ready to go in as little as 1 day but for the best homemade vanilla extract let sit for up to 2 weeks before use.

How Long Can You Store Instant Pot Vanilla Extract?

I have stored it for 2-3 months so far and it has been OK. I know people have said they stored it for at least 6 months. Others have suggested indefinitely.

Two Important Safety Tips for Making Instant Pot Vanilla Extract

Safety Tip #1: Do not use a stovetop pressure cooker or cook near an open flame.

Safety Tip #2: Do not use a quick pressure release EVER with this recipe. You have to do a full natural pressure release as to not release alcohol vapor into the air.Two jars filled with Instant Pot Vanilla Extract with two vanilla beans placed inside the larger of the jars

Cooking with Alcohol in the Instant Pot

I can see the heads turning but I have done some research for you so you can safely make your own homemade vanilla extract in your Instant Pot.

It’s important to not make the vanilla extract near an open flame and to not use a stovetop pressure cooker. Since the vapour of the alcohol is flammable it is extremely important to do a full natural pressure release. Making your homemade vanilla extract in canning jars with lids will also decrease the amount of alcohol vapours that could be released inside your home. Let your Instant Pot natural release for at least 1 hour.

If you are still unsure, please contact the maker of your specific pressure cooker to ensure that it is safe to use alcohol in your device.

I Thought You Were Not Supposed To Can or Seal In The Instant Pot?

It’s not canning or jarring for preservation. You will not get the seal canning requires doing this.

The Best Vodka for Homemade Vanilla Extract

With so many different types of vodkas at different price points, of course you’ll need to know what the best vodka for Instant Pot Vanilla Extract is. If you’ll drink it in a cocktail you can use it for your Instant Pot Vanilla Extract. Mid-point priced 80% proof vodkas like Smirnoff are what I use.

Other Alcohol Can You Use For Pressure Cooker Vanilla Extract

You can use bourbon when creating other extracts for a more smoky flavour and other people I know have used rum too.

What Type of Jars to Use For Pressure Cooker Vanilla Extract

For making my Instant Pot Vanilla Extract I have used both Ball and Kilner canning jars (1 cup/250 ml or 2 cups/500 ml). Both companies say their jars are safe for use in the Instant Pot.

Depending on the size of the jars, I can fit 3-4 in my Instant Pot at a time. I have used my jars regularly in the Instant Pot with no worries, but you could use new canning jars and only use a few times before swapping them out for a new jar to use in the Instant Pot if you are worried about this.

Storage Bottles For Instant Pot Vanilla Extract

You can use these bottles to store your vanilla extract. They make a great size for gifting too. Simply add some coloured string and a handwritten label.

How To Make Homemade Vanilla Extract – Traditional Method

No Instant Pot? No problem! Here is how to make Homemade Vanilla Extract with no heating or special equipment required:

  1. Prepare vanilla beans by splitting lengthwise and then cutting in half so they fit inside the jars.
  2. Place vodka and vanilla beans inside jars, making sure the vanilla beans are completely submerged.
  3. Seal your jar lids and give them a good shake.
  4. Store at room temperature and keep out of direct sunlight.
  5. Continue to shake the jars a couple of times a week for 12 weeks.
  6. The homemade vanilla extract is now ready to use.

What to Make with Instant Pot Vanilla Extract

Instant Pot Pumpkin Brownie.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Bread Pudding.

Peanut Butter Banana Brownies.

Weight Watchers Points in Instant Pot Vanilla Extract

One serving of Instant Pot Vanilla Extract contains just 1 Freestyle point!

For More Homemade Extract Recipes

Instant Pot Cinnamon Extract.

Instant Pot Vanilla Extract Video

 

Thank you for reading my Instant Pot Vanilla Extract recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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The completed Instant Pot Vanilla Extract packed in individual bottled and tied with handwritten gift tags
Print Recipe
4.89 from 9 votes

Instant Pot Vanilla Extract

Make Instant Pot Vanilla Extract in just a fraction of the time!
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 36kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 6 vanilla beans split in half then cut
  • 2 cups vodka
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Prepare vanilla beans by slicing lengthwise and then cutting in half.
  • Place vodka and vanilla beans inside jars and seal the lids so they are finger tight.
  • Add the water to the Instant Pot Insert. 
  • Place jars on the trivet inside the Instant Pot, close lid, seal, and set to high pressure for 30 mins.
  • Allow for a Natural Pressure Release of a full 60 mins.
  • Remove jars from the Instant Pot with tongs. Let cool completely then store.
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Video

Notes

Tips for Making Instant Pot Vanilla Extract
  • Cook time does not include time to come up to pressure or for pressure to release.
  • Instant Pot Vanilla Extract is ready to go in as little as 1 day but for the best homemade vanilla extract let sit for up to two weeks before use.
  • Do not use a stovetop pressure cooker or cook near an open flame.
  • Do not use a quick pressure release EVER with this recipe. You have to do a full natural pressure release as to not release alcohol vapor into the air.
  • Beans need to be completely submerged in the vodka.
  • For richer and darker homemade vanilla extract do 45 mins in the Instant Pot using a larger jar. Add 2 cups of vodka per jar with 6 vanilla sticks cut per jar.
  • Use a new canning jar or a canning jar that has not been used more than two times previously.
  • Make sure liquid is just below the first jar thread as the liquid needs room to expand.
 
Weight Watchers Points
There is 1 Freestyle point in a serving of Instant Pot Vanilla Extract.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal

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23 Comments

  1. I would love to try this. Maybe I misread the text and missed it completely – do I put the loss on the jars when I place them in the IP or no?

    1. 5 stars
      So if I’m making the richer & darker vanilla (2 cups) am I’m using pint jars or larger??

  2. 4 stars
    The recipe is a little unclear-you said you’d used the 1/2 pint jars, but even in the pint jars, there’s no way to fit 2 cups vodka & beans, and still leave room for expansion.
    Here’s how I tackled it- I used 3- half pint jars, 9-vanilla beans, 1/5 Smirnoff. I sliced the beans top to bottom, then cut them into thirds, placing 3 beans per jar, then added vodka to just under the line below the lid. This ensures the entire bean is submerged & all 3 jars fit nicely in the Instant Pot. I cooked the 30 minutes pressured & allowed to de-pressurize naturally. All came out great. I bought 1oz jars at Hobby Lobby with a lock seal, and a pack of labels and wahlah! Great gifts with the ‘made on’ date written on the bottle.