Vanilla extract is a versatile ingredient made by steeping whole vanilla beans in ethyl alcohol and water. Its rich and complex flavor enhances the sweetness in your favorite dessert and tones down the acidity in savory dishes. Whether it's vanilla cake, a meat marinade, or coffee, if you want to bring out the best in your recipe, you'll want a vanilla extract that is free from synthetic chemicals and unnecessary ingredients.
To help get you started on choosing a high-quality vanilla extract, we gathered 10 of the best. It has a mellow, creamy flavor and sweet aroma that can be used in a variety of recipes. Keep reading for more great options, and to learn more about choosing a vanilla extract make sure to read our buying guide, which was reviewed by a professional chef.
Quick List - Top Vanilla Extracts
Watkins
Pure Vanilla Extract: Naturally Derived Perfection
Nielsen-Massey
Best All-Purpose Vanilla Extract
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
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Table of Contents
Distinguishing between vanilla extract and imitation vanilla can be difficult if you don't know what to look for. From bean origin to bottle type, there are quite a few things to take into consideration. We've compiled a list of buying tips to make it easier when choosing the best vanilla extract.
When selecting a vanilla extract, it is important to inspect the label and ensure that it is free from synthetic chemicals. Familiarizing yourself with the different types of labeling and how vanilla extract is made will help you choose the perfect vanilla extract.
According to the FDA, vanilla beans must be soaked in water and ethyl alcohol for a product to be considered and labeled an extract. It may also contain sugar and corn syrup to soften the flavor of the alcohol and act as a stabilizer. However, keep in mind that the fewer ingredients there are on the label, the purer the extract is.
Imitation vanilla is usually made with vanillin, derived from wood pulp. It may contain clove oil or other synthetic chemicals to make up for the lower ratio of vanilla bean.
For those who would like to go without the alcohol, you can also find alcohol-free vanilla extract that has been made using propylene glycol. These products are a combination of imitation vanilla and pure vanilla extract and are labeled as "vanilla flavoring."
When searching for a high-quality vanilla extract, look for "pure vanilla" on the label. For a vanilla extract to be called pure, it must contain at least 35 percent ethyl alcohol and 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon.
One way to differentiate between pure vanilla and imitation vanilla is to check the color of the extract. Pure vanilla has a dark brown color, whereas imitation vanilla has a clear or caramel color.
Some vanilla extracts made in Mexico and other Latin American countries are actually made from tonka beans. Tonka beans are a legume that belongs to the pea family. They have a sweet aroma with a hint of spice that is reminiscent of vanilla, but they also contain coumarin, a chemical that is banned for consumption by the FDA.
Many Mexican vanilla extracts are often made with chemicals and contain very little or no alcohol. Although they're listed as pure on the label, there is a strong chance that they're not pure vanilla extract. If you like the aroma and taste of Mexican vanilla beans, choose a vanilla extract that's bottled in the United States.
Most vanilla extracts are single-fold, meaning they contain about 100 vanilla beans per one gallon of alcohol. Single-fold vanilla extracts are widely used by home bakers.
Double-fold and triple-fold vanilla extracts are made using twice and triple the number of vanilla beans. These are a great option for recipes that call for a strong flavor or people who like an intense vanilla aroma. Since they're more concentrated, you can use a bit less to make the bottle last longer, too!
Madagascar vanilla, also known as Bourbon vanilla, is the most popular type. Its classic, creamy, and rich flavor complements all recipes.
Tahiti vanilla has a delicate and fruity flavor. It has a strong aroma with notes of anise, plum, and cherry. We recommend pairing it with fruits and frozen desserts.
If you want to add a hint of spice to your recipe, consider Mexican vanilla. It offers a smooth and spicy flavor with a woody scent. It pairs well with dark chocolate, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and meat.
Vanilla extract has a long shelf life, but it can lose its aroma and flavor over time, especially if it's improperly stored. To maintain the quality, keep it away from sunlight and heat.
An amber glass bottle is the perfect packaging choice since it helps to keep the vanilla extract away from ultraviolet light, which is the main cause of oxidation and degradation. Plus, glass will not leach chemicals into the extract.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ingredients | Contains Alcohol | Pure Vanilla | No Tonka Bean Extract | Origin of Vanilla Beans | Amber Glass | Weight | |||||
1 | Watkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla | ![]() | Pure Vanilla Extract: Naturally Derived Perfection | Water, sugar, glycerin, vanilla extract (water, alcohol, extractive of vanilla beans), alcohol, natural flavors, fruit juice (color) | unknown | 11 ounces | |||||
2 | McCormick Vanilla Extract | ![]() | Pure, Versatile Vanilla Perfection | Vanilla Extract, Water, Alcohol | Madagascar | 16 ounces | |||||
3 | Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend Extract | ![]() | Enrich Your Baking With Mexican Vanilla | Water, 1.8 Ethyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Vanillin, Pure Vanilla Extract, Caramel Color, Ethyl Vanillin, Potassium Sorbate (as Preservative), Potassium Hydroxide (Acidity Regulator) | Mexico | 8.3 ounces | |||||
4 | Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract|21004 / RBO4CI | ![]() | Best All-Purpose Vanilla Extract | Water, Alcohol (35%), Sugar, Vanilla Bean Extractives | Madagascar | 8 ounces | |||||
5 | Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract|18532 | ![]() | Best Organic Vanilla Extract | Organic Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Organic Alcohol | Madagascar | 4 ounces | |||||
6 | Magnolia-Star Pure Vanilla Extract | ![]() | Pure Vanilla Perfection from Bean to Bowl | Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water. Alcohol (35%) | Madagascar | 16 ounces | |||||
7 | Native Vanilla Vanilla Extract | ![]() | Pure Flavor, Ethically Sourced | Vanilla Beans, Water, and Alcohol | Papa New Guinea | 8 ounces | |||||
8 | Amazon Brand Happy Belly Pure Vanilla Extra | ![]() | Essential Vanilla Extract | Vanilla Bean Extract, Water, Alcohol | unknown | 1 ounces | |||||
9 | Watkins Clear Vanilla Flavor | ![]() | Best for Pure White Baking | Water, Sugar, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Artifical Flavors | 11 ounces | ||||||
10 | McCormick Clear Imitation Vanilla Extract | ![]() | Clear Vanilla for Pure White Desserts | Water, Alcohol (13%), Vanillin and other Artificial Flavorings, and Citric Acid | 32 ounces |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 11 ounces |
Enhance your baking with Pure Vanilla Extract, made from all naturally derived ingredients for a rich and authentic flavor. This concentrated blend is perfect for both baking and freezing, delivering consistent quality in every use. Free from artificial colors and flavors, it provides a pure, clean taste to your recipes.
Non-GMO, gluten-free, corn syrup-free, and kosher, this vanilla extract caters to a variety of dietary needs. Crafted with care in the USA, it ensures top-notch quality for all your culinary creations. Please note that it contains sulfites.
Ingredients | Water, sugar, glycerin, vanilla extract (water, alcohol, extractive of vanilla beans), alcohol, natural flavors, fruit juice (color) |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | unknown |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 16 ounces |
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract delivers a deep, rich flavor crafted from premium vanilla beans. Ideal for bakers, its smooth, sweet taste enhances desserts, from cookies to cakes, while adding a warm balance to savory dishes like seafood or meat marinades. Each batch is expertly blended for consistency, ensuring flawless flavor in every use.
Free of corn syrup, gluten, and artificial ingredients, this extract is perfect for vegetarian, low-carb, and kosher diets. Whether you're crafting decadent pastries or elevating everyday recipes, McCormick Vanilla Extract is a must-have staple in every kitchen.
Ingredients | Vanilla Extract, Water, Alcohol |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | Madagascar |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 8.3 ounces |
Discover the rich, aromatic flavor of Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend. This 8.3 fluid ounces bottle offers a versatile addition to your kitchen, enhancing a wide range of dishes from meat and fish to chicken. Its unique vanilla flavor also adds a special touch to coffee, smoothies, cakes, and cookies, as well as to drinks and cocktails.
Kosher and crafted with high-quality ingredients, this blend provides a delightful twist to both savory and sweet recipes. Elevate your culinary creations with Molina’s distinctive vanilla flavor and make every dish a memorable experience.
Ingredients | Water, 1.8 Ethyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Vanillin, Pure Vanilla Extract, Caramel Color, Ethyl Vanillin, Potassium Sorbate (as Preservative), Potassium Hydroxide (Acidity Regulator) |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | Mexico |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 8 ounces |
Nielsen-Massey's vanilla extract is made from hand-picked Madagascar vanilla beans and a small amount of cane sugar for a more consistent flavor. Its smooth, full-body flavor makes this vanilla extract perfect for both cold and hot dishes. Plus, it comes housed in an amber bottle to maintain its quality.
The vast majority of reviewers loved this vanilla's aroma and flavor, saying it's rich, smooth, and sweet. They also said it enhances the flavor of baked goods and ice cream.
Ingredients | Water, Alcohol (35%), Sugar, Vanilla Bean Extractives |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | Madagascar |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 4 ounces |
This certified-organic Madagascar vanilla extract is made without added sugar, GMOs, or artificial ingredients. It has a warm aroma and deep, rich flavor. It also comes in an amber glass bottle to preserve its freshness.
A few reviewers noted that it's more on the mild side. However, they said it has a pure vanilla flavor and delicious scent. They especially enjoyed using it in tea and coffee.
Ingredients | Organic Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Organic Alcohol |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | Madagascar |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 16 ounces |
Elevate your recipes with Magnolia-Star Pure Vanilla Extract, crafted from premium Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans. This pure extract enhances the flavor of cakes, brownies, cookies, smoothies, tea, coffee, shakes, and more. It’s naturally sugar-free, gluten-free, and free from corn syrup, artificial colors, and flavors, making it a superior choice for your baking needs.
Sourced from Madagascar, the bourbon vanilla beans are aged for up to three months, then steeped and pressed to extract maximum flavor before being bottled. Magnolia-Star’s commitment to quality ensures that every drop is pure and delicious, with no synthetics or additives. Explore Magnolia-Star’s range of flavors, including vanilla, lemon, and almond, and find your new favorite.
Ingredients | Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water. Alcohol (35%) |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | Madagascar |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 8 ounces |
Experience the robust, natural flavor of Native Vanilla Pure Vanilla Extract. Our proprietary extraction process captures the essence of 300 flavor compounds from real vanilla beans, ensuring a rich and authentic taste. With a clean label, this extract contains no additives, colorants, fake flavors, or sugars, maintaining purity in every drop.
Ethically sourced, Native Vanilla supports hundreds of micro farmers in Papua New Guinea through fair trade practices and environmentally friendly growing methods. Certified Kosher and Vegan, this vanilla extract is a versatile ingredient, where 1 tablespoon of extract equals 1 whole vanilla bean, 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste, or 1 tablespoon of vanilla powder in your recipes.
Ingredients | Vanilla Beans, Water, and Alcohol |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | Papa New Guinea |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 1 ounces |
Happy Belly Pure Vanilla Extract brings the authentic, rich essence of vanilla to your favorite recipes. Made with premium vanilla bean extract in water and alcohol, this versatile ingredient enhances the flavor of baked goods, desserts, and more with its smooth, natural taste.
Packaged in a convenient 1 fl oz size, it’s perfect for everyday use. As an Amazon Brand product, Happy Belly delivers quality you can trust at an affordable price. Handle with care and avoid pouring near an open flame for safe and flavorful kitchen adventures.
Ingredients | Vanilla Bean Extract, Water, Alcohol |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | unknown |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 11 ounces |
Watkins Clear Vanilla Flavor is the perfect choice for recipes requiring a flawless white finish. This premium baking essential delivers rich, gourmet vanilla flavor that holds its essence through baking and freezing without adding color. It's ideal for wedding cakes, frostings, and any recipe where aesthetics matter as much as taste.
Crafted in the USA, Watkins Clear Vanilla is free from artificial colors, GMOs, gluten, and corn syrup, meeting the highest quality standards. Add this versatile, kosher-friendly staple to your pantry and elevate your baking creations with pure, vibrant flavor.
Ingredients | Water, Sugar, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Artifical Flavors |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | |
Amber Glass |
Pure Vanilla | |
---|---|
Weight | 32 ounces |
McCormick Culinary Clear Imitation Vanilla Extract delivers a pleasantly sweet vanilla flavor, ideal for baked goods, beverages, and desserts that require colorless ingredients. Made from premium, high-quality ingredients, this versatile extract maintains its flavor even at high temperatures, ensuring consistent, delicious results every time.
Perfect for chefs and bakers, the 32-fluid-ounce bottle offers convenience and control for both small and large applications. Kosher-certified and free from sugar, this clear vanilla flavor is a versatile, feel-good ingredient for creating stunning confections, custards, and frostings.
Ingredients | Water, Alcohol (13%), Vanillin and other Artificial Flavorings, and Citric Acid |
---|---|
Contains Alcohol | |
No Tonka Bean Extract | |
Origin of Vanilla Beans | |
Amber Glass |
Adding a touch of vanilla extract to a boxed mix is an excellent way to enhance its flavor with minimal effort! Check out our favorite baking mixes that pair well with vanilla.
No. 1: Watkins|All Natural Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla
No. 2: McCormick|Vanilla Extract
No. 3: Molina|Mexican Vanilla Blend Extract
No. 4: Nielsen-Massey|Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract|21004 / RBO4CI
No. 5: Simply Organic|Pure Vanilla Extract|18532
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