Fact Checked by Doctor NameIntroduction: How to Make Cannabutter?
Table of Contents
Understanding the Role of Cannabutter in Edibles
Many marijuana-infused edibles include cannabutter. Decarboxylation and infusion extract THC, CBD, and other active components from cannabis into butter or oil.
Cannabutter may be used for butter or oil in any recipe to make cannabis-infused foods.
Learning how to create superior cannabutter at home lets you manage edible potency and effects.
Benefits of Making Your Cannabutter
Making your cannabutter allows you to customize the strain, potency, and amount you produce. You can experiment with different extraction methods and ingredients.
Homemade cannabutter is likely to be much more affordable than purchasing premade edibles or cannabutter from dispensaries.
You also know exactly what ingredients are going into your edibles when you make the cannabutter yourself.
Some additional benefits of DIY cannabutter include:
- Ability to control the dosage and potency precisely according to your needs
- Tailor the effects by selecting specific cannabis strains
- Avoid additives, preservatives and unknown ingredients in commercial products
- Make affordable edibles compared to dispensary prices
- Get the most out of your cannabis by using trim and leaves
- Make large batches to use in multiple recipes over time
Making cannabutter at home does take some time and effort, but with the proper techniques, it is a very approachable process for any home cook.
Selecting the Right Cannabis Strain
Tailoring Effects to Edible Preferences
Consider your desired effects when choosing strains for cannabutter. Indica-dominant hybrids promote relaxation and reduce stress or anxiety.
Sativas provide more euphoric, energizing effects well-suited to daytime use. Balance THC with some CBD for clear-headed relief.
Popular strains for cannabutter include OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, Granddaddy Purple and Blue Dream.
Avoid pure sativas like Durban Poison, which can magnify anxious side effects in edibles.
Here are some examples of strains to match your edible experience:
- Relaxation or sleep – Indicas like Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple (GDP)
- Reduce anxiety or stress – Hybrids like Blue Dream, OG Kush
- Energy, creativity – Sativa hybrids like Strawberry Cough, Jack Herer
- Focus, clear-headed – 1:1 THC: CBD strains like Harlequin, AC/DC
Balancing THC and CBD Levels
Look for a THC content between 15-25% in the strain you choose. Higher potency flower produces more concentrated cannabutter.
Balance with strains containing CBD to mellow the “high”. A 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD is ideal for new consumers.
Consider the potency of your cannabutter when dosing edibles. Start with 5-10mg of THC until you know your tolerance. CBD can be dosed higher with less intoxication.
For medical patients targeting specific symptoms, a higher THC-to-CBD ratio of around 2:1 may be optimal.
Always start low and increase the dose of edibles gradually as needed. Consuming too much THC at once can lead to an uncomfortably strong high.
Decarboxylation: A Crucial Step
Significance of Activating Cannabinoids
Raw cannabis contains THCA and CBDA, the acidic forms of THC and CBD. Decarboxylation uses heat to convert these acids into their active neutral forms that provide effects.
Skipping decarb can mean up to 40% less potency in your cannabutter.
Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that happens naturally over time, but heating cannabis significantly speeds up the process from months to under an hour.
While describing cannabis may seem like an optional step, it makes a huge impact on the strength and quality of edibles.
Proper Decarbing Techniques
There are a few effective methods for decarbing your cannabis:
- Oven: Spread cannabis on a baking sheet and bake at 225-245°F for 30-60 minutes until dry and brown.
- Ardent Decarboxylator: This device gently heats cannabis at a precise temperature to maximize decarb. Easy to use and highly effective.
- Sous Vide: Seal cannabis in a bag and cook in a water bath at 203°F for 90 minutes to decarb.
- Slow Cooker: Add cannabis to butter or oil in a slow cooker, and cook on low heat for 4-8 hours to decarb before infusing.
Always let cannabis cool fully after decarbing before handling it for infusing. Ensure even decarbing by grinding cannabis finely first and stirring baked material a few times. Properly decarboxylated cannabis will crumble easily when cooled.
For concentrates like wax, shatter or live resin, decarb by heating to 295°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbling stops. Decarbing before infusing maximizes potency.
Essential Ingredients and Tools
Quality Cannabis Flower or Trim
Cannabutter can be made from dried flower buds or sugar leaves and trim.
Trim produces more affordable cannabutter but also extracts more chlorophyll for a stronger taste and green color. Use flower buds for premium quality, flavor and lighter color.
Both trim and flower can be used to make quality cannabutter. Choose based on your budget and preferences:
- Flower Buds – Highest potency and best flavor. Preferred for low-dose edibles.
- Sugar Leaf Trim – Nearly as potent as buds, also contains more chlorophyll. Works well for cost savings.
- Fan Leaves and Stems – Produces lowest potency and taste but eliminates waste. Useful for cooking or topicals.
Choosing the Best Butter
For the highest cannabinoid extraction, use oils like coconut oil, MCT oil or clarified butter like ghee.
The higher fat solubility draws out key compounds. Regular unsalted butter still works well. Do not use salted butter due to the added water content.
Here are the top butter and oil choices:
- Coconut Oil – A common choice for infusing due to very high saturated fats. Imparts a coconut flavor.
- Clarified Butter (Ghee) – Removes milk solids and water for full cannabinoid extraction. Neutral flavor.
- MCT Oil – Derived from coconuts, pure C8 and C10 MCTs are an excellent solvent. No coconut taste.
- Cacao Butter – Has a similar fat profile to coconut oil. Makes chocolate edibles.
- Regular Butter – Widely accessible and easy to use. Salted butter can cause issues.
Equipment for the Process
You’ll need a baking sheet for decarbing in the oven. For infusing, options include a double boiler, slow cooker, sous vide circulator or Instant Pot. A stainless steel mixing bowl works for stovetop infusion.
Cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer or a nut milk bag helps separate plant material after infusing. A digital kitchen thermometer ensures you maintain ideal temperature control.
Glass jars or containers allow secure storage in the freezer or fridge to preserve cannabutter potency.
Basic Cannabutter Recipe – Step-by-Step Guide
Ratios of Cannabis to Butter
A standard cannabutter ratio is 1 ounce of ground cannabis to 1 pound (2 cups or 4 sticks) of butter or oil. This produces moderately potent cannabutter.
Increase to 2 ounces of cannabis per pound for a very potent concentration. Use less cannabis for mild effects.
When calculating cannabis-to-butter ratios, consider the following:
- The potency of cannabis strain (15-25% THC ideal)
- Desired strength and dosing of your edibles
- Target effects from more THC vs CBD
- Your tolerance
- Type of edibles being made
Start low at 1 ounce per 1 pound of butter until you determine potency. Consume edibles in small doses until the effects are known.
Stovetop vs. Slow Cooker Methods
A stovetop double boiler gives more precise control over temperatures but requires monitoring and stirring.
A slow cooker, Instant Pot, or sous vide simplifies the process for hands-off decarbing and infusing, but regulating temperature can be more difficult.
On the stove, heat butter and cannabis over low heat between 160°F and 200°F, stirring occasionally for 2 to 4 hours.
In a slow cooker, cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours, checking temperature. Methods like sous vide allow very specific temperature control.
Controlling Heat for Optimal Results
Keep temperatures between 160°F to 200°F during decarb and infusion for best results. Too high overheats and damages compounds, while lower allows potential mold growth. The ideal is around 185°F.
Monitor temperature closely and adjust heat to maintain the proper range. Use a thermometer and adjust the stove flame or slow cooker settings. For ovens and decarboxylators, verify calibration.
Experiment to find your perfect time and temperature for full potency extraction. Sample the cannabutter to test potency and effects.
Strain the finished cannabutter through cheesecloth before use to remove marijuana solids. Store in a sealed glass container in the fridge or freezer.
Enjoy your homemade cannabutter in any recipes that call for butter or oil! Start low and go slow with dosing until you learn the potency.
Infusing Cannabinoids into Butter
Achieving Even Cannabinoid Distribution
When infusing cannabis into butter or oil, even the distribution of cannabinoids leads to consistent dosing and effects.
- Grind cannabis into a coarse consistency with a coffee grinder or blender to maximize surface area.
- Stir the cannabis and butter mixture frequently during infusion to prevent scorching or uneven heating.
- Maintain a consistent temperature in the 160-200°F range throughout infusion for full extraction.
- Allow enough infusion time (2-8 hours) for cannabinoids to fully transfer into the fat.
- Use enough butter to fully coat and immerse the cannabis material during infusion.
Time and Temperature Guidelines
The ideal infusion time and temperature to properly extract cannabinoids depends on factors like the decarboxylation method, amount of cannabis, and potency desired.
- For stove and double boiler methods, maintain 180-190°F for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- In slow cookers, keep on a low setting (190-200°F) for 6-8 hours for full infusion.
- With sous vide circulators, water bath temperatures of 185°F for 4 hours work well.
- When doing combined decarb and infusion in a slow cooker, use lower temps (160°F) for 8+ hours.
- Infuse longer for maximum potency or less time for milder cannabutter.
- Monitor temperature closely and adjust heat to stay in the proper range.
Straining and Storing
Filtering Out Plant Material
Properly straining cannabutter ensures no cannabis solids end up in edibles.
- Cheesecloth layered over a fine mesh strainer effectively separates plant particles.
- Nut milk bags work as an alternative to cheesecloth for straining.
- Coffee filters or paper filters also filter out all fine particles from the cannabutter.
- Allow the strained cannabutter to cool fully before storage.
Suitable Storage Containers
Store cannabutter in airtight glass or food-grade plastic containers to prevent air exposure.
- Small mason jars work great for cannabutter storage.
- Avoid reactive metals like aluminum foil or steel containers.
- Dark-colored containers prevent light exposure that can degrade compounds.
- Label containers with cannabutter details, including strain and date made.
Refrigeration and Freezing Tips
Keep cannabutter refrigerated or frozen to best preserve potency and shelf life.
- Refrigerate for use within 2 months. Keep sealed and away from the air.
- Freezing extends shelf life up to 6 months. Thaw before use.
- Freeze in smaller portions for easier defrosting and dosing control.
- The glass retains quality better than plastic for freezing.
Troubleshooting Your Cannabutter
Adjusting Potency Levels
If your cannabutter effects seem too strong or mild, adjust the cannabis-to-butter ratio and strain potency.
For a More Potent Cannabutter:
- Use a higher THC strain in the 18-25% range
- Increase the amount of cannabis per butter ratio
- Grind cannabis more finely for extraction
- Infuse for longer duration (6-8 hours)
For Milder Cannabutter:
- Choose strains with 10-15% THC
- Use less cannabis per butter ratio, like 1⁄2 ounce per pound
- Coarsely grind cannabis to limit extraction
- Reduce infusion time to 2-4 hours
Addressing Unpleasant Tastes
Undesirable tastes in cannabutter can come from overheating, poor straining or old cannabis.
- Maintain temps below 200°F to prevent burning.
- Thoroughly filter out plant particles with cheesecloth or nut milk bags.
- Ensure cannabis is freshly dried and cured, not old or stale.
- Clarify butter by simmering and skimming milk solids to improve flavor.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
These tips help avoid issues when making cannabutter:
- Don’t skip decarboxylation – activates cannabinoids
- Avoid overheating – preserves terpenes
- Use exact temperatures – prevents inconsistency
- Stir thoroughly during infusion – distribute compounds
- Strain fully with fine filters – remove sediment
- Check potency before using – avoid excess dosage
- Store in sealed glass containers – retains freshness
- Label with details and date – tracks shelf life
Creative Uses of Cannabutter
Incorporating Cannabutter into Recipes
Any savory or sweet dish may use cannabutter instead of butter.
- Make cookies, brownies, cakes, breads, and more.
- Melt it to saute vegetables, pasta, potatoes, or rice.
- Use for spreads, dips, salads, soups, and sauces.
- Use for frying or sautéing in place of oil or butter.
- Mix into coffee, smoothies or milkshakes for an infusion boost.
Dosage Control in Cooking
When cooking with cannabutter, calculate the desired THC per portion and add the needed amount.
- Determine cannabutter potency through testing if possible.
- For 10mg THC, use enough cannabutter containing 100mg THC per 1 cup of butter.
- Scale recipe portions to achieve the target dose based on cannabutter strength.
- Cut potent treats into smaller pieces for lower, controlled dosing.
Baking and Culinary Applications
Cannabutter works well in all types of baking recipes and across many cuisines.
- For baked goods, limit oven temperatures to 300°F or lower.
- Incorporate cannabutter at the end of cooking when possible to preserve THC.
- Pair earthy, herbal cannabutter with bold spices like curry.
- Sweet and citrus flavors complement and mask weed flavors.
- Savory foods like meats, cheeses and garlic also balance the taste.
Understanding Dosage and Consumption
Calculating THC Content in Edibles
To determine cannabutter THC content:
- Multiply the % THC of cannabis by the grams used
- Assume a 70% extraction efficiency in butter
- Divide THC milligrams by butter amount in grams
For example:
- 20% THC strain x 14g cannabis = 2800mg THC
- At 70% extraction = 1960mg THC infused
- In 226g (1 cup) butter: 1960 / 226 = 8.7mg THC per 1g butter
Personalized Dosing for Desired Effects
- Consume only 1-3mg THC your first time using cannabutter.
- Increase by 2-5mg at a time until you find your ideal dose.
- Allow at least 2 hours before taking more to account for delayed effects.
- Record doses that provided your target effects.
- Adjust the dose for higher-fat meals that increase THC absorption.
Monitoring Tolerance Levels
- Take note if you need to increase the dosage over time to get the same effects.
- Tolerance breaks of 2-3 weeks can help reset sensitivity.
- Switch between THC and CBD dosing to prevent building tolerance.
- Track changes in ideal dosage in a journal.
- Increase cannabutter potency if needing to consume very large amounts.
Legal Considerations and Compliance
Complying with Cannabis Regulations
- Verify making cannabutter at home is legal in your state, as laws vary.
- Ensure you do not exceed purchase or possession limits.
- Only obtain cannabis from licensed dispensaries when required.
- Comply with all personal growing regulations if using homegrown cannabis.
Adhering to Local Laws
- Check municipal cannabis consumption rules and restrictions.
- Dispose of waste properly according to regulations.
- Keep cannabutter safely stored away from children or pets.
- Avoid public consumption or sharing to stay compliant.
- Get approval where needed if housing bans cannabis usage.
Be sure to stay up to date on all cannabis laws in your area to keep compliant and avoid issues when making and using cannabutter at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I Make Cannabutter with Shake or Trim?
A: Yes, shaking, little buds, trim, sugar leaves, and fan leaves may be used to produce cheap cannabutter from cannabis trash.
Trim and leaves make less powerful cannabutter than bud but may still affect consumables.
Compared to flowers, it tastes herbal and grassy. But wholesale trim is much cheaper. Try using surplus material instead of tossing it away.
Q: How Long is Cannabutter Fresh?
A: Cannabutter stays fresh for 2-3 months in the fridge if properly kept. Store it in an airtight container away from air, light, and heat, which destroy THC.
Cannabutter may be frozen for 6 months before the quality degrades. Break it into chunks before freezing for easy usage. Always mark the strain and date on the container.
Q: Can I Freeze Cannabis Butter?
A: Yes, preserving homemade cannabutter for months is great. Colder temperatures slow THC and terpene degradation.
Freeze the cannabutter in small quantities to defrost as needed. Thaw it in the fridge before using it. When frozen, glass containers avoid sticking and keep quality better than plastic.
Conclusion
Recap of Key Steps
Making your cannabutter at home provides flexibility to control potency and tailor effects. Follow these key steps:
- Decarboxylate dried cannabis in the oven first
- Choose high-quality flower buds or use trim for value
- Grind cannabis finely to increase surface area
- Infuse into clarified butter, coconut oil or ghee on low heat
- Maintain temperatures between 160°F to 200°F
- Allow adequate infusion time of 2 to 8 hours
- Strain through cheesecloth to remove plant material
- Refrigerate or freeze cannabutter in airtight containers
- Start with small doses of edibles until potency is known
With some basic kitchen tools and quality ingredients, you can easily make customizable cannabutter at home. Experiment with strains and recipes to perfect your infusion.
