Making edibles at home is easier than you might think. If you’re just starting out in the kitchen, cannabutter (cannabis-infused butter) is the perfect introduction. It’s simple to make, doesn’t call for tons of ingredients, and can be easily added to all different types of food for instant infusion. Your morning toast? A batch of cookies? Popcorn? Butter Noodles?!? You bet.
Ingesting THC is the healthiest way to medicate. When you opt for edibles instead of smoking, you remove combustion which releases carcinogens. Plus, it’s way more discreet. Eating edibles means THC is absorbed through your bloodstream instead of through your lungs when inhaled, so effects will creep in slowly, but they’ll be stronger and longer than those that come with traditional smoking.
The only wild card at hand when it comes to making your own edibles is proper dosage. There’s no way to guarantee how potent your product will be, so proceed with caution and start small when snacking on your treats. Many factors influence potency, like the THC content of the cannabis used in the recipe, and the temperature and rate at which the cannabis was heated.
Before we begin, let’s talk about quality. Have you ever heard the saying, “you can’t polish a turd?” Well, if you use shitty weed to make cannabutter, your edibles won’t kick. Top shelf edibles are made from top-shelf bud, just keep that in mind. We recommend flower that has a THC content of at least 15 percent.
First-timer tips for making cannabutter at home
- Low and slow….low. and. slow.
- Start with a small batch your first time. Use 1 cup of butter and a quarter ounce of weed until you get comfortable with the recipe.
- Always decarb your bud. Never skip this step! Decarboxylating the cannabis prior to mixing it with the butter will ensure a quality cannabutter with a great taste. Both THC and THCA are cannabinoids found in raw cannabis buds, and when smoked or vaporized, THCA converts to THC. Without high temperatures THCA will stay in its non-intoxicating state.
- Always add water to the saucepan when melting the butter. Don’t just melt the butter on its own.
- Butter burns QUICK. Keep heat low when melting the butter and do not leave it unattended on the stove.
- Use ¼ – ½ ounce of cannabis (at 15% THC) per pound of butter (4 sticks).
- Don’t over-grind the weed.
- Never let the butter mixture reach a roaring boil.
What you’ll need to make cannabutter:
- Hand grinder
- Oven access (or a slow cooker or a butter making product like one listed below)
- Parchment paper
- Baking Tray
- Measuring cups
- Saucepan
- Strainer or colander
- Funnel
- Cheesecloth
- Mason Jar
How to make cannabutter
There are a few different ways to make cannabutter. One cannabutter recipe isn’t necessarily better or easier than the other — it just depends on what you’re working with in the kitchen. We’re going to cover both the stovetop method and the crock pot method, allowing you to choose the cannabutter recipe that works best for you.
The Stovetop Method
The stovetop cannabutter method is the quicker of the two, but requires a little more stirring throughout the process.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup Water
- Quality cannabis (roughly 8-14 grams depending on THC content)
Directions:
- Decarb your bud. Regardless of the quality of your material, all bud needs to be decarbed before it’s used to infuse butter. Low and slow is the name of the game. Preheat your oven to 230°. Lay parchment paper on top of a nonstick baking tray. Sprinkle the buds over the parchment paper and pop the tray into the preheated oven. Every 10 minutes remove the tray and give it a shake to move the buds around. Plan to heat fresh, sticky bud for about an hour and older, drier nugs for about 35 minutes.
- Grab a standard hand grinder and lightly grind the decarbed bud. Don’t grind to a powder, like you would when preparing weed for a bowl or joint. Keep it a little coarse.
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of butter to a saucepan and heat on medium-low. When the butter starts to melt add your cannabis as you gently stir the mixture. Simmer on low for three hours, gently stirring occasionally.
- Let your butter cool. Drape a cheesecloth over a funnel and set the funnel on top of a glass jar.
- Once your butter is cooled, slowly pour it into the funnel lined with cheesecloth to strain the mixture into your storage jar.
- Store your butter in the fridge or freezer.
The Crockpot Method
The crockpot cannabutter method is perfect for those who just want to ‘set it and forget it’. If you have a slow cooker at home, we recommend you use this method.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. butter (4 sticks)
- ¼ cup water
- 7-14 grams of decarbed cannabis
- Slow cooker
Directions:
- Decarb your cannabis following the steps above.
- Lightly grind your decarbed bud.
- Add the cannabis, sticks of butter, and ¼ cup of water to the slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to LOW or, if a degree setting is available, 150 ℉.
- Cook for 8 hours.
- Allow to cool but not harden.
- Line a glass jar or bowl with a cheesecloth and secure.
- Sift the mixture through a fine strainer and pour into a cheesecloth-covered jar.
- Remove the cheesecloth and squeeze any remaining goodness through the strainer and seal the jar with an airtight lid.
- Store in the refrigerator.
How to test your cannabutter potency
Start small. Spread ¼ of a teaspoon on a cracker or piece of bread, ingest, and wait an hour to reflect on the effect. If you’re not feeling it, take another ¼ of a teaspoon and wait another hour. Continue every hour with ¼ of a teaspoon until you reach your desired high. Add up your increments and use this as your standard dose for a starting point when including this batch of cannabutter in other recipes. And remember, each batch is different– so play it safe and test it out each time before diving in.
How to use your cannabutter in other recipes
Once you have a handle on your cannabutter potency, add it to anything! From dressing your morning slice of toast to making the classic batch of pot brownies, your fresh slab of cannabutter is ready and waiting to infuse literally anything you’d like. Identify your starting dose using the method above, and then use that amount as a standard in other recipes. For example, if a full teaspoon did the trick and you want to chef up a box of brownies that makes 12 servings, infuse the brownie batter with 12 teaspoons of your cannabutter and mix well.
Best cannabutter makers for every type of stoner
If you’re really into making cannabutter and what to streamline the process a bit, consider investing in a butter infusing machine. There are many choices when it comes to infusion appliances out there–some that keep it simple and others that come with all the bells and whistles.
For the OG:
MagicalButter MB2e
If you’re into no-nonsense functionality, give MagicalButter a try. This tool combines an immersion blender with a custom controlled digital heating unit to effortlessly infuse everything from butter, oil, and alcohol to lotions and more. The creators of this product designed it with simplicity in mind, in hopes to make the magic of infused goodies accessible to everyone. You don’t have to worry about timing or temperature when using the MagicalButter, it takes care of everything including grinding, heating, and stirring for you— and even has preset functions for specific recipes. It’s easy to clean with automatic cleaning cycles and comes with a one year warranty.
For the tech-lover:
LEVO II – Herbal Oil and Butter Infusion Machine
Want to control your culinary creations from your phone? With smart-capabilities, Wifi connectivity, and an easy-to-use app, The Levo II does it all with three settings: Dry, Activate, and Infuse. No need to decarb your weed in the oven, this appliance will do it for you when you select the Activate setting. Considered a small-batch machine, the LEVO II can infuse up to 19 ounces at a time. All parts are dishwasher safe, including the silicone stirrer, power pod, and ceramic-coated reservoir.
For the multi-tasker:
Ardent Nova Decarboxylator
The Nova offers two-in-one technology that allows you to decarb your weed and infuse your butter with the same machine. After running the Nova through the decarb cycle, simply load the infusion sleeve with the decarbed cannabis and place it in the machine for a second cycle that will pull the THC from the plant and infuse the oil. It’s that easy. Ardent even provides scientifically backed information to consumers and offers test results on the best types of oils to infuse, what strains to use, and more.
For the impatient stoner:
Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser
Most infusion recipes that work off the stovetop or an appliance requires hours to complete. But, not Hi. With a 45-minute cycle known for its consistency and potency, this machine gets the job done quickly. There are also 90 minute and 240-minute cycles you can choose from–and a handy automated cleaning cycle that leaves the appliance ready for another batch of butter. The kit includes everything you need: an organic hemp filter, user manual and recipe book, fine metal strainer, and measuring cup.
Our 5 Favorite Cannabis Cookbooks
Check out these reads that will educate and inspire your cannabis-infused culinary adventure.
1. The Art of Weed Butter: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Cannabutter Master
If you can nail a cannabutter recipe, your edible-making skills are basically in the bag. This book offers an in-depth guide on infusing butter, coconut oil, and various other cooking fats and oils with helpful photos and recipes.
2. Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed
Love the Viceland show? Grab this book. Inspired by the culinary creations presented by chefs throughout the tv series, this cookbook offers sophisticated recipes for stoners who are comfortable in the kitchen.
3. The Easy Cannabis Cookbook: 60+ Medical Marijuana Recipes for Sweet and Savory Edibles
This cookbook created by the “Martha Stewart of weed”, Cheri Sicard, is packed full of simple recipes that any aspiring amateur chef can handle. It breaks down staples like how to make cannabutter and oil, sugar, honey, cream, and others–plus it also includes a handy fool-proof dosage guide.
4. The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook: More Than 50 Irresistible Recipes That Will Get You High
Every stoner has heard of High Times. The legendary magazine’s first cookbook doesn’t disappoint. Learn basic recipes like cannabutter, tinctures, and glycerin before you go for full-on entrees like Eggplant Alfredo. Yum. This book even has a chapter on holiday-themed recipes. We dig it.
5. Cannabis Cookbook: Quick and Simple Medical Marijuana Edible Recipes
This cookbook offers an informative narrative that covers THC, CBD, and the benefits of other various cannabinoids before diving into recipes that include yummies like hash browns, stuffed peppers, sweet potato friends, and more. Plus, it has a troubleshooting section we think is super legit.
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How do you make your cannabutter? If you tried our stovetop method or purchased one of the appliances we’ve listed, let us know what you think! Or, share your pro-tips, dosage, or favorite recipes.
Can’t wait to make some butter!!!! Thanks