What to Make With Cannabutter? Easy Recipes to Try

Are you ready to start cooking with cannabis? Cannabutter, a staple ingredient in many cannabis recipes, is the secret to unlocking a whole new realm of culinary possibilities.

In this article, we explore cannabutter, how it’s made, and the benefits of cooking with this versatile cannabis-infused butter.

Key Takeaways

• Cannabutter is a blend of cannabis and butter where THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are infused into the butter through decarboxylation and slow cooking.
• Cooking with cannabutter provides a longer-lasting and more full-bodied high compared to smoking and allows for precise dosing, making it ideal for both recreational and medicinal users.
• The best strains for making cannabutter include Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple, and Bubba Kush (for relaxation). Sativa strains like Sour Diesel, Green Crack, and Durban Poison provide an uplifting, energizing high.

What is Cannabutter?

Cannabutter is a combination of cannabis and butter. The THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids from cannabis are infused into the butter through decarboxylation and slow cooking. The result is a potent, cannabis-infused butter that can be used in all sorts of recipes.

How Cannabutter is Made

Making cannabutter involves a few key steps. First, the cannabis flower is decarboxylated to activate the THC and other cannabinoids. This is typically done by baking the ground cannabis in the oven at low temperatures (220°F to 248°F) for 30-40 minutes.

Next, the decarboxylated cannabis is simmered in butter and water for several hours. This low-heat, slow cooking allows the cannabinoids to infuse into the butter well. Finally, the mixture is strained to remove the plant material, leaving behind a potent, green-tinged cannabutter.

Benefits of Cooking with Cannabutter

Cooking with cannabutter offers several benefits for both recreational and medicinal cannabis users.

For starters, ingesting cannabis produces a longer-lasting and more full-bodied high compared to smoking. This is because the cannabinoids are processed through the digestive system and liver before entering the bloodstream.

During digestion, THC is metabolized into 11-OH-THC, which is also psychoactive, and then into 11-COOH-THC. 11-OH-THC is thought to be more psychoactive than THC, which explains why edibles produce stronger, longer-lasting effects.

Cannabutter also allows for precise dosing, as each serving contains a specific amount of cannabinoids. This is especially useful for medicinal users who need consistent doses to manage their symptoms.

Plus, cooking with cannabutter opens up a wide array of recipe possibilities. From classic “pot brownies” to gourmet pasta dishes, the options are endless. Cannabutter is an easy and discreet way to incorporate cannabis into all sorts of delicious foods.

How to Make Cannabutter

Making cannabutter at home is simple and requires just a few key ingredients. With some know-how, you can create a potent, versatile cannabis-infused butter perfect for cooking and baking.

Ingredients

To make cannabutter, you’ll need:

• 1 cup of unsalted butter
• 1 cup (7-10 grams) of ground, decarboxylated cannabis
• 1 cup of water
• Cheesecloth
• Fine mesh strainer

Decarboxylation Process

Before making cannabutter, it’s vital to decarboxylate the cannabis. Decarboxylation activates the THC and other cannabinoids in the plant material, making them more bioavailable and potent.

To decarboxylate cannabis, preheat your oven to 245°F (120°C). Spread ground cannabis on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even heating.

Infusion Methods

There are several methods for infusing cannabis into butter. Two popular methods are the slow cooker method and the kief method.

The slow cooker cannabutter recipe involves combining the decarboxylated cannabis, butter, and water in a slow cooker and cooking on low for 8-24 hours, stirring occasionally. This low and slow method fully extracts the cannabinoids.

If you have kief, the resinous trichomes that collect in a grinder, you can make cannabutter with it for a quicker, more potent infusion. Simply melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the kief, and simmer on low for 30-60 minutes.

Straining and Storage

Once the cannabutter is well-infused, strain out the plant material. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl. Pour the butter mixture through the cheesecloth, letting it drain fully. Gently squeeze the cheesecloth to extract all the butter.

Transfer the strained cannabutter to an airtight container and refrigerate until it’s fully solidified. Cannabutter can be kept in the fridge for several weeks or in the freezer for up to six months.

Now that you have your homemade cannabutter, it’s time to start cooking! The next section explores delicious and easy recipes you can make with infused butter.

Best Cannabis Strains for Making Cannabutter

When it comes to making cannabutter, the strain of cannabis you choose can have a big impact on the final product. Different strains offer unique flavor profiles, potency levels, and effects that can enhance your cooking and baking.

Indica Strains

Indica strains are known for their relaxing, full-body effects. They tend to have a heavy, sedating high that’s perfect for unwinding at the end of the day. When used in cannabutter, indica strains can add a deep, earthy flavor to your recipes.

Some popular indica strains for making cannabutter include:

• Northern Lights: A classic strain with a sweet, spicy aroma and a potent, relaxing high.
• Granddaddy Purple: Known for its sweet, grape-like flavor and deeply relaxing effects.
• Bubba Kush: A heavy indica with an intense, earthy aroma and a powerfully sedating high.

Sativa Strains

Sativa strains are energizing and uplifting, with a cerebral high that can boost creativity and focus. They tend to have a lighter, fruity flavor profile that can add bright, zesty notes to cannabutter recipes.

Popular sativa strains for cannabutter include:

• Sour Diesel: A pungent strain with a fuel-like aroma and an energizing, dreamy high.
• Green Crack: Known for its sharp, citrusy flavor and a buzzy, euphoric high.
• Durban Poison: A pure sativa with a spicy, anise-like aroma and a clear-headed, creative high.

Hybrid Strains

Hybrid strains offer the best of both worlds, combining the relaxing effects of indicas with the uplifting buzz of sativas. They can have a wide range of flavor profiles and potency levels, making them a versatile choice for cannabutter.

Two noteworthy hybrid strains are Blueberry Kush and Alaskan Rainbow THCA. Blueberry Kush is an indica-dominant hybrid known for its sweet, berry-like aroma and deeply relaxing high. It’s an excellent choice for making cannabutter for bedtime treats or soothing, full-body relief.

Alaskan Rainbow THCA, on the other hand, is a sativa-dominant hybrid with a complex, fruity flavor profile and an uplifting, euphoric high. Its high THCA content makes it a potent choice for cannabutter, perfect for daytime recipes or creative pursuits.

Ultimately, the strain you use to make cannabutter depends on your preferences and the effects you’re looking for. Experiment with different strains to find the perfect fit for your desired experience.

Easy Cannabutter Recipes to Try

Now that you have your homemade cannabutter, it’s time to start cooking up some delicious cannabis-infused treats. From classic baked goods to savory snacks and creative culinary creations, the possibilities are endless!

Here are easy and tasty recipes to start your cannabutter cooking journey.

Sweet Treats

When it comes to cannabis-infused desserts, you can’t go wrong with the classics. Weed-infused Rice Krispie Treats are a nostalgic favorite elevated with the addition of cannabutter for a potent twist.

Melt the cannabutter with marshmallows, mix in Rice Krispies cereal, and press into a greased pan. Once cooled, cut into squares for a gooey, chewy treat that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

For a rich, fudgy dessert, try whipping up a batch of CBD Brownies. These decadent squares are made with CBD-infused butter for a mellow, relaxing high that won’t leave you feeling too spacey.

Mix your dry ingredients, then stir in eggs, vanilla, and melted cannabutter until well combined. Bake until the top is glossy and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.

Gummy candies are another popular choice for cannabis edibles, and you can easily make them at home with cannabutter.

To make Edible Weed Gummies, mix fruit juice, gelatin, and melted cannabutter in a saucepan. Then, pour the mixture into molds and refrigerate until set. Experiment with different juice flavors and cannabutter ratios to find the perfect gummy recipe.

Savory Delights

Cannabutter isn’t just for sweets—it can also add a potent kick to your favorite savory dishes. For a game-day snack that packs a punch, try Weed Chicken Wings.

Toss chicken wings with your favorite spices and a few tablespoons of melted cannabutter, then bake until crispy and cooked through. Serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

You can also use cannabutter to infuse classic comfort foods like mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, or garlic bread. Simply substitute cannabutter for regular butter in your go-to recipes, adjusting the amount based on the desired potency.

Breakfast and Snacks

Start your day off right with a cannabis-infused breakfast. Cannabutter can be used instead of regular butter in pancake or waffle batter, spread on toast or muffins or melted over a stack of fluffy scrambled eggs. You can even stir a spoonful into your morning coffee or tea for a discreet and efficient wake-and-bake.

For a quick and easy snack, try spreading cannabutter on crackers or rice cakes and topping with sliced fruit, jam, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. You can also mix cannabutter into popcorn seasoning for a movie night treat or blend it into smoothies for a creamy, dreamy dose of THC.

Other Creative Ideas

The beauty of cannabutter is its versatility – you can incorporate it into all sorts of creative culinary creations. Here are a few ideas to get your imagination flowing:

• Stir a spoonful of cannabutter in pasta sauce for an infused Italian night.
• Mix cannabutter into the filling for homemade ravioli or tortellini.
• Use cannabutter instead of oil for stovetop popcorn, then season with spices.
• Melt cannabutter and drizzle over roasted vegetables or a baked potato.
• Brush cannabutter onto grilled corn on the cob for a summertime treat.
• Stir cannabutter into morning oatmeal or overnight oats.
• Bake cannabutter into homemade granola bars or energy bites.
• Mix cannabutter into the batter for homemade pizza crust or focaccia bread.
• Incorporate cannabutter into cookies or cake recipes for an infused twist.
• Use cannabutter as a base for infused salad dressings or dipping sauces.

The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to cooking with cannabutter. Start with these easy recipes, then let your creativity run wild as you experiment with new flavor combinations and infusion methods.

Just remember to start with a low dose and wait at least an hour before consuming more, as the effects of edibles take time to kick in. Happy cooking!

Tips for Cooking with Cannabutter

Dosing Guidelines

When cooking with cannabutter, it’s important to start low and go slow. Edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, and the effects can last for several hours. A standard dose of THC is 10mg, but if you’re new to edibles, it’s best to start with 5mg or less.

To determine the potency of your cannabutter, you’ll need to know the THC percentage of the cannabis you used. You can then use an edible dosage calculator to determine how much THC is in each serving.

It’s also a good idea to clearly label your cannabutter creations and store them separately from regular food to avoid accidental consumption.

Flavor Pairings

Cannabis has an earthy, nutty, or slightly bitter flavor. When cooking with cannabis butter, consider how this flavor will pair with the other ingredients.

For sweet recipes, like cookies or brownies, the taste of cannabis can be easily masked by chocolate, vanilla, or other strong flavors. Savory dishes, like pasta sauces or stews, can benefit from adding herbs and spices that complement the earthy taste of cannabis, such as rosemary, thyme, or garlic.

You can also experiment with different cannabis strains to find flavors that complement your recipes. Strains with notes of lemon, berry, or pine can add a unique twist to infused dishes.

Storing Cannabutter Properly

Cannabutter should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze cannabutter for up to 6 months, which is a great option if you’ve made a large batch or want to have some on hand for future recipes.

When storing cannabutter, be sure to label the container with the date it was made and the THC content per serving. This will help you keep track of potency and freshness.

If you notice any signs of mold or rancidity, such as a sour smell or discoloration, discard the cannabutter and start fresh. Proper storage ensures that cannabutter stays potent and flavorful for longer.

Where to Buy High-Quality Cannabis for Making Cannabutter

When making potent and flavorful cannabutter, the quality of your starting material matters. Look for reputable dispensaries or online retailers that offer lab-tested, high-quality cannabis flower.

Explore different strains to find the perfect flavor and effect profile for your cannabutter creations.

Our THCA collection offers a range of potent, THCA-rich strains perfect for infusing into butter. These strains are known for their high THC content and unique flavor profiles, from fruity and sweet to earthy and pungent.

If you prefer the classic aroma and effects of cannabis flower, our curated flower collection is a great place to start. Go for strains with high trichome content and a strong, fresh smell, as these indicate a high-quality, potent flower.

For those seeking the therapeutic benefits of cannabutter without the psychoactive effects of THC, our CBD collection offers a range of high-CBD strains. These flowers provide anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and anxiety-reducing properties, perfect for medicinal users or anyone looking for a more mellow experience.

No matter the strain or type of cannabis you choose, always start with a small amount and test the potency of the cannabutter before using it in recipes. With high-quality, lab-tested cannabis as the base, you’ll soon be making delicious and potent cannabutter creations.