Best vanilla extract, according to chefs
Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Ina Garten, Alyssa Gangeri, Nicki Gatlin-Lovell, Stella Parks and 4 more. Recommendations come from allrecipes.com, seriouseats.com, nymag.com and eatthis.com.
Baking · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon
Chosen by- Ina GartenBarefoot Contessa · cookbook author, TV hostbarefootcontessa.com ↗
- Alyssa GangeriThe Butter Milk Ranch
- Nicki Gatlin-Lovell
Ina’s store-bought “good vanilla”; Gangeri cites its “deep and complex flavor.”
- 2
Heilala Pure Vanilla Extract
Chosen by- Stella ParksPastry chef, BraveTart · ex-Serious EatsWikipedia ↗
Also chosen by- Catherine O’Donnell · Gramercy Tavern source ↗
- Jessica Koslow · Chef-owner, Sqirl · Los Angeles source ↗
- Natasha Pickowicz · Pastry chef · author, More Than Cake source ↗
On her shelf of recommended extracts (2023).
- 3
Taylor & Colledge Organic Vanilla Bean Extract
Chosen by- Mark McShaneChef
Fair-trade, organic, with real seeds in the bottle. McShane: “No matter what type of dessert you make with this product, you get a great vanilla flavor.”
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on MyTastr. It never affects the ranking. Disclosure
Questions, answered
- What is the best vanilla extract, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon, chosen by Ina Garten; Alyssa Gangeri; Nicki Gatlin-Lovell. Ina’s store-bought “good vanilla”; Gangeri cites its “deep and complex flavor.” Source: allrecipes.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for vanilla extract?
- No. 2 is Heilala Pure Vanilla Extract, chosen by Stella Parks (Serious Eats, BraveTart). No. 3 is Taylor & Colledge Organic Vanilla Bean Extract, chosen by Mark McShane (chef). Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.
The tasters behind this ranking
- Ina Garten
- Alyssa Gangeri
- Nicki Gatlin-Lovell
- Stella Parks
- Catherine O’Donnell
- Jessica Koslow
- Natasha Pickowicz
- Mark McShane