How to Deseed a Vanilla Bean for Amazing Natural Flavor
Never tried actual vanilla instead of vanilla extract? You’re missing out.

Adding a splash of vanilla extract might be an easy flavor boost, but this pantry staple can never beat the fresh, warm flavor of an actual vanilla bean. Next time you want to impress dinner guests (or just treat yourself!), try infusing your desserts with real vanilla bean seeds. Those tiny black specks will add old-fashioned flare to ice cream, cake, or pudding, and you’ll have a whole new appreciation for real vanilla flavor.
Here’s how to deseed that vanilla bean: With a paring knife, split the vanilla pod in half lengthwise. Using the back end of your knife, simply scrape the vanilla seeds from each half of the pod. That’s it! The seeds will have a paste-like consistency, and you can scrape them into a small bowl until you’re ready to add them to the recipe.
Not making a fancy cake? That’s okay—fresh vanilla bean seeds add luxury to even the simplest dishes. Use homemade vanilla sugar to garnish fresh fruit or stir into coffee or tea at brunch. Simply mix the seeds from one vanilla pod with two cups of sugar. Vanilla seeds enhance sweetness, so you’ll be able to add fantastic flavor while using way less sugar—that means fewer calories! Oh, and homemade vanilla sugar makes a great gift, too. Put it in a clean glass jar, tie a ribbon around it, and share it with your favorite foodie.
If you want something a bit less sweet, try making homemade vanilla extract. Combine the seeds from three or four vanilla beans and eight ounces of vodka or bourbon in a clean glass jar. Let it infuse for at least a full month (so plan ahead if you’re looking for a birthday gift). This DIY vanilla extract will add great, fresh vanilla flavor to any dish, like this cherry cashew yogurt or homemade almond milk.
Phoebe Lapine is a food and health writer, gluten-free chef, wellness personality, culinary instructor, blogger, recipe developer and speaker, born and raised in New York City, where she continues to live and eat.
00:00:00,260 --> 00:00:04,589
Vanilla beans add a nice beautiful
fragrance to anything that you're baking
2
00:00:04,589 --> 00:00:05,797
and a hint of luxury.
3
00:00:05,797 --> 00:00:08,301
I'm [INAUDIBLE] and today,
I'm gonna show you a quick and
4
00:00:08,301 --> 00:00:10,600
easy way to de-seed a vanilla bean.
5
00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:14,244
So first things first,
just take a paring knife and
6
00:00:14,244 --> 00:00:16,717
cut your bean in half lengthwise.
7
00:00:16,717 --> 00:00:21,940
And then you just wanna take the back
of your knife and flatten it out,
8
00:00:21,940 --> 00:00:26,740
to scrape the pod,
get all of that black beautiful goodness.
9
00:00:26,740 --> 00:00:30,291
So vanilla sugar is something that you
can buy at the store for a premium.
10
00:00:30,291 --> 00:00:34,619
You can make your own vanilla sugar right
here at home by just mixing a little bit
11
00:00:34,619 --> 00:00:38,749
of this vanilla bean, and with your
regular sugar to use in any sort of baked
12
00:00:38,749 --> 00:00:40,932
goods or as a garnish for a fresh fruit.