Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste
Want to know every good baker’s secret weapon? It’s Vanilla Bean Paste! This 3-ingredient Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste is way healthier than storebought versions and so much more flavorful.
Vanilla paste is far more flavorful and luxurious than vanilla extract. While both have great uses in baking, vanilla bean paste adds something special.
Unlike Vanilla Extract, which is a smooth and consistent brown liquid made from soaking vanilla beans in vodka for 8+ weeks (which you can make at home too!), Vanilla Paste is made from grinding the actual vanilla bean pods. Vanilla Paste is thicker than Vanilla Extract, provides a more intense vanilla flavor, and is full of those fancy luxe vanilla bean flecks that you’ll see in expensive, sophisticated desserts.
This Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste recipe does take some prep work, but it is SO so worth it. It’s much more potent in flavor than plain old vanilla extract and doesn’t contain any of the refined sugar or corn syrup typical to storebought brands (their first ingredient is usually sugar, not vanilla).
I know, you probably think I’m crazy. When 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Paste is spread out over an entire cake batter or marshmallow mix, that teaspoon of sugar is basically negligible! You’re right. But I still try to avoid processed white sugar whenever I can. The days of eating three Hersheys bars and a Snickers on a daily basis are over… so here I am, having made this AWESOME Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste and could not be happier!
Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste
Ingredients
- 30 Vanilla Beans
- 6 tbs Vanilla Extract (I used homemade!)
- 1⅔ cups Agave Nectar (or Vegetable Glycerine for a sugar-free version)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth (you can chop up the vanilla beans if you want to save some time).
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the mixture inside.
- Press on the vanilla bean "pulp" to get as much liquid out. Pour the strained vanilla paste liquid into a jar and seal tightly (discard the pulp, or you can reuse it to steep in homemade vanilla extract). Store the vanilla paste in the fridge.
I am pleasantly surprised by the end result of this recipe. It looks and smells exactly like the storebought brands, but tastes soooo much better.
I love knowing exactly where my ingredients are coming from and how the final product is made. Get peace of mind knowing that you’re adding this quality vanilla paste to your baked goods, not a corn syrupy mix, along with the satisfaction of making such a great recipe at home!
If you’ve already made my Homemade Vanilla Extract and don’t know what to do with the leftover vanilla bean pods, DON’T THROW THEM AWAY! They are precious, precious gold. Use them to make this Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste!
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– Jess
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Indulge − no strings attached!
From what I have read recently, it turns out that agave nectar is actually worse than high fructose corn syrup. While its advocates were touting its low glucose content, they were neglecting to tell us about the fructose content, which is higher than in HFCS, which as we know is actually worse for us than glucose is. It was a kind of bait and switch.
So then, that leaves me with the question, what should one use in place of either? Lyle’s Golden Syrup, perhaps? I honestly don’t know, but Lyle’s is made from cane sugar. And then there is brown rice syrup. I’d love to know what more experienced bakers than I would suggest.
You can use any liquid sweetener you want — maple syrup, honey, brown rice syrup, golden syrup, etc.
How long can this homemade vanilla bean paste be stored in the refrigerator.
This lasts quite some time as long as it’s stored in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge… I’d say ~6 months?
Happy baking! 🙂
-Jess
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Can vanilla bean paste be made without extract since it is based with alcohol and since halal does not allow alcohol, am looking for an alcohol free versiopn or substitute
You need a liquid to help the vanilla beans grind. I use vanilla extract instead of water so the flavor isn’t diluted. I have an alcohol-free vanilla extract recipe on the blog though! 🙂
https://dessertswithbenefits.com/homemade-alcohol-free-vanilla-extract/
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this. How long will this paste last?
HI Jessica,
I’m looking forward to making this recipe (I’ve just ordered the beans 🙂 ). I had a quick question though: when using this paste in a recipe, what would the proportion be? For instance, if the recipe calls for 1 tsp Vanilla extract, Nielson Massey suggests using 1 tsp of their paste as well. This makes using the paste not too complicated. Is the proportion / ratio of paste to extract the same with your recipe as well?
Thank you for the recipe, I make in here substitute vanilla bean with vanilla powder because vanilla bean expensive.
Glorious! I don’t need it to be sugar-free, but would like less sweetener nonetheless. Do you think I could do 1/2 glycerin and 1/2 shave and achieve the same results? So excited to try this!
Yes, that should work just fine! 🙂
How long will this past last in the refridgerater?
This should last 6 months or more if I’m a tightly sealed jar in the fridge! 🙂
Could the vanilla bean paste be made entirely of left over vanilla beans after using them to make extract, or should some or most of them be unused??
I only used the used vanilla beans because they’re soft after soaking to make the extract. If you don’t want to make the extract you can try blending fresh beans, but it might take a little bit longer in the blender 🙂
If a recipe calls for 1 tsp vanilla extract, do you use 1 tsp vanilla bean paste?
Correct! 🙂
I used some vanilla beans to make vanilla extract. Can I still use the pods to make this paste even if they don’t have much seeds left in them? I don’t usually see recipes that call for vanilla paste. Do u use the paste in lieu of extract? Do u have any favorite recipes that call for paste?
Hmmmm the vanilla bean pods should have lots of beans in them, otherwise your paste might taste extra bitter from just blending the pods without the beans mixed in.
Vanilla paste is mostly used in frostings and no-bake items to avoid the alcohol taste of vanilla extract. I LOVE using vanilla paste instead of vanilla extract! Especially in Vanilla Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream!
Hello,
Do the vanilla extract first.
Remember to get B rated beans, they are dryer and more flavorful.
Also, the beans will do 2 rounds of extract before they are just not good enough for extract anymore.
Now those beans are nice and soft, so they are ready to use in Vanilla Paste.
Same great flavor, just no waste. Use the whole bean for the paste.
Also Raw Honey is the way to go with this item, as raw honey NEVER goes bad, so the paste will last forever.
I mean they found honey in the tombs in Egypt and it was still good!!!
Also look up Agave Nectar, it is worse for you then sugar.
Just my thoughts. Hope this helps. This is the process I use for extract then paste. I always have plenty on hand.
this sounds sooooo good.
how long will the paste last in the refrigerator?
It should last ~6 months or longer as long as it’s stored in an airtight jar in the fridge! 🙂
Erma — July 10, 2021 at 7:55 pm
I think it will last forever, if you use raw honey instead of Agave Nectar. Honey found in tombs in Egypt is still edible.
For how long can it be stored?
I’d say ~6 months in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge. Mine has lasted up to a year in a mason jar 🙂
I think it will last forever, if you use raw honey instead of Agave Nectar. Honey found in tombs in Egypt is still edible.
So good!!!
This is the best recipe I’ve come across. Comes out perfect every time & no mess. Thank you sharing.
Just made these today.. So easy to make.. This as my first time making them but My family loves them
Can you use the vanilla beans to make extract, then take them out and use the same beans for paste?
YES! See the last line in the article – she says exactly that.
Hello, I posted this information below also, but thought I would share it here, because it fits your question also.
Do the vanilla extract first. Remember to get B rated beans, they are dryer and more flavorful.
Also, the beans will do 2 rounds of extract before they are just not good enough for extract anymore.
Now those beans are nice and soft, so they are ready to use in Vanilla Paste. Same great flavor, just no waste. Use the whole bean for the paste.
Also Raw Honey is the way to go with this item, as raw honey NEVER goes bad, so the paste will last forever. I mean they found honey in the tombs in Egypt and it was still good!!!
Also look up Agave Nectar, it is worse for you then sugar. Just my thoughts.
Hope this helps. This is the process I use for extract then paste. I always have plenty on hand.
How many ounces of vanilla beans are you using for this recipe? I have purchased 10 oz of beans that had 30 beans total. I have also got 2.5 oz of beans and there were 30 beans total. Thank You for the clarification.
I didn’t measure the beans by ounces, I just count how many beans I used. The vanilla beans I get are usually 6″ long, though, if that helps! 🙂
Refined sugar free vanilla paste sounds intriguing, except agave nectar is higher in fructose than high fructose corn syrup. Have you made the version with the vegetable glycerin and how does it compare in taste and texture?
That recipe of yours is absolutely fabolous! Wish I would knew it before!
Can the left overs be used in a tea bag to make regular vanilla extract? Or will they be too weak in flavor?
I’m not sure if the leftover pulp will be strong enough to make vanilla extract, but you can use it to flavor other things like homemade almond milk, kombucha, tea, etc. 🙂
Hello, Do the vanilla extract first. Remember to get B rated beans, they are dryer and more flavorful. Also, the beans will do 2 rounds of extract before they are just not good enough for extract anymore. Now those beans are nice and soft, so they are ready to use in Vanilla Paste. Same great flavor, just no waste. Use the whole bean for the paste. Also Raw Honey is the way to go with this item, as raw honey NEVER goes bad, so the paste will last forever. I mean they found honey in the tombs in Egypt and it was still good!!! Also look up Agave Nectar, it is worse for you then sugar. Just my thoughts. Hope they help. This is the process I use for extract then paste. I always have plenty on hand.
Can I ask how the shelf life is on this paste recipe after it’s made?
I’d say around 6 months to 1 year in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge 🙂
I think it will last forever, if you use raw honey instead of Agave Nectar. Honey found in tombs in Egypt is still edible.
Where did you get the jars shown
I find them on occasion at the dollar tree, they may have them out line at the dollar tree website…
Thanks for the recipe… What is agave nectar? Can i use honey instead of agave nectar? I think i cannot found it in my country.
Actually Raw Honey is great for this recipe. I never use Agave Nectar.
Yum!
I belong to a vanilla bean co-op on Facebook. They purchase large quantities of vanilla beans from around the world, like Madagascar and Indonesia and pass along the savings because they are purchasing in such huge bulk. The FB page name is Vanilla Bean Co-Op. Usually the average price per ounce is around $10, but it depends on where they are sourced from and how large they are as to how many come in an ounce. I usually purchase 4 ounces and receive roughly 32 beans total.
I just made this last night using Organic Agave Nectar. It’s really good. It seems to be more runny than pasty, but I’m sure it’s because of the nectar and homemade vanilla in it.
My question is, does it need refrigeration?
Thanks, Fritzie
Yes, this needs refrigeration! I said it in the recipe during the last step. I store mine in a tightly sealed mason jar in the back corner of my fridge 🙂
How much does this make?
It makes 2 cups 🙂
How many grams does this recipie make?
I’m not sure the total weight, but it makes about 2 cups of vanilla paste total 🙂
You can buy vanilla beans from a group in Facebook. They get shipments all the time, from different places.
Homemade Vanilla Paste sounds delicious! How long will it keep? Should it be refrigerated or room temperature? I also was wondering if you have a shortcut recipe for a recipe that only requires 1 teaspoon.
Why do you strain the mixture? Can you use the pulp as vanilla powder? Thanks, looking forward to trying this recipe!
Can you use fresh beans or is it best to use beans that have been used for extracting first?
I think any beans should work. The beans that have soaked in alcohol for 8+ weeks should definitely be a little softer and easier to blend, though! 🙂
Vanilla bean paste is on my list to order beans today. I only buy my madagascar, grade b beans online. The ones in the grocery stores are dry and not worthy to use IMHO.
What is the asterisk in the recipe (next to “Vanilla Beans” refer to please ? I can’t find it anywhere else on the page
Oh gosh I have no idea why there was an * there?? Thanks for catching that!
I have a question, on converting the recipe from “30 beans” to powdered vanilla beans” that I purchased from Indri’s group. I have 2 ounces of powdered beans and agave syrup. Thanks!
For how long does it last in the fridge?
I kept my vanilla paste in a sealed mason jar in the fridge. It last me a year! 🙂
It’s supposed to be 6 tablespoons of vanilla extract right? It’s too late as I already made my batch but I wanted to double check as I am saving this recipe for the future. Thanks in advance!
When you are making the bean paste, do you purée the entire pod or scrape out all the beans? Thanks!
Yep! You use the whole beans, grind them, then strain the pulp out later 🙂
Now I want to make it.
I already made vanilla extract in vodka and it ran out. i will make a new one soon. and now i want to make the paste, since it’s so expensive and they put all kind of add ingredients to it.
How long does this keep in the fridge?
Nice!
Dear Jess~
I am wondering what is the “Shelf life” for the vanilla bean paste. You said to keep it in the frig.
Can you let me know?
Thanks. Joan
How long does this last in the fridge? My favorite thing about extract is it basically lasts forever, but I LOVE the idea of using the beans for paste too!!
how much of the pulp per cup of vodka should you steep in order to make extract?
Why does the paste need to be refrigerated? Other recipes say store in pantry.
What is the weight of the vanilla beans? Depending on what kind they vary widely in size. Thanks
How many ounces does this recipe make??
How long will homemade vanilla bean paste keep in the fridge? Can’t wait to try out this recipe. I’m obsessed with homemade vanilla extract.