Cannabutter is the foundation of cannabis cooking. Once you've made it, you can use it in any recipe that calls for butter. Here's a beginner-friendly guide to making your own.
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 7-10 grams cannabis flower (adjust for desired potency)
Equipment
- Baking sheet and parchment paper
- Grinder
- Saucepan or slow cooker
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer
- Glass container for storage
- Thermometer (recommended)
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
Raw cannabis contains THCA, which isn't psychoactive. Heating converts it to active THC.
- Preheat oven to 245°F (118°C)
- Break cannabis into small pieces (don't grind too fine)
- Spread on parchment-lined baking sheet
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway
- Cannabis should look lightly toasted, not burnt
Step 2: Infuse the Butter
Stovetop Method
- Add butter and water to saucepan
- Melt butter on low heat
- Add decarboxylated cannabis
- Simmer on low (160-200°F) for 2-3 hours
- Stir occasionally; don't let it boil
- The water prevents burning
Slow Cooker Method (Easier)
- Add butter, water, and cannabis to slow cooker
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours
- Stir occasionally
Step 3: Strain and Store
- Set cheesecloth over a glass container
- Pour the mixture through cheesecloth
- Squeeze to extract all butter (careful - it's hot)
- Discard plant material
- Refrigerate until butter solidifies
- Remove solid butter; discard water underneath
Calculating Potency
Estimating cannabutter strength:
- Determine your flower's THC percentage
- Multiply grams used x 1000 x THC% = total mg THC
- Assume 70-80% extraction efficiency
- Divide by number of servings in your recipe
Example: 7g flower at 20% THC = 1,400mg. After extraction (~80%): ~1,120mg total in your batch of butter.
Dosing Tips
- Start with 5-10mg THC per serving
- Test a small amount before using in recipes
- Wait 2 hours to feel full effects
- Label your cannabutter clearly
- Store away from children and pets
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.
Need quality flower for your cannabutter? Find a dispensary near you.
Tags
#cannabutter#edibles#recipe#cooking#DIY