Ingredients
To make a basic batch of cannabutter you will need:
- 1 cup (≈277 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (≈236 ml) water
- 1 cup (≈7‑10 g) decarboxylated cannabis flower
Equipment
The process requires only common kitchen tools:
- Oven‑safe baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Oven
- Saucepan, stockpot, double‑boiler, or slow cooker
- Cheesecloth or fine‑mesh strainer
- A glass or plastic container for storing the finished butter
- Cannabis grinder (optional but helpful)
How to decarboxylate cannabis for cannabutter
Decarboxylation converts the non‑psychoactive THCA in raw flower into THC, the compound that produces the “high.” Skipping this step will leave most of the cannabinoids inactive.
Research shows that heating cannabis at 245 °F (118 °C) for 30‑40 minutes achieves roughly an 87.7 % conversion efficiency of THCA to THC[1]. Follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to 245 °F (118 °C).
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread loosely broken‑up flower in an even layer.
- Bake for 30‑40 minutes, stirring gently every 10‑15 minutes to expose all surfaces.
- The material should shift from bright green to a light brown hue; avoid darkening, which can degrade terpenes.
After decarboxylation, the cannabis is ready to be infused into butter.
Cannabutter recipe: Stovetop method
Step one – Prepare the cannabis
Grind the decarboxylated flower to a coarse consistency. Avoid turning it into a fine powder, as small particles can pass through the strainer and impart a chlorophyll taste.
Step two – Melt the butter
Place 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of water in a saucepan over low heat. The water acts as a temperature buffer, reducing the risk of scorching the butter.
Step three – Combine cannabis and butter
Once the butter has fully melted, stir in the ground cannabis. Mix gently until the plant material is evenly distributed.
Step four – Simmer
Maintain a low simmer between 160‑200 °F (71‑93 °C). Do not allow the mixture to boil, as temperatures above 200 °F can begin to degrade THC. Stir occasionally and continue for 2‑3 hours.
Step five – Strain
Set a cheesecloth or fine‑mesh strainer over a heat‑safe jar or container. Pour the mixture through, allowing the liquid butter to drain. Press lightly to extract butter, but avoid squeezing the plant material, which can release unwanted chlorophyll.
Step six – Cool and store
Transfer the container to the refrigerator. The butter will solidify as it cools; any water that separates at the bottom can be poured off. Once firm, the cannabutter is ready for use.
Cannabutter recipe: Slow cooker method
If you prefer a hands‑off approach, a slow cooker provides gentle, even heat and reduces the chance of burning.
- Melt the butter in the slow cooker on low.
- Add the water.
- Stir in the ground, decarboxylated cannabis.
- Cover and cook on low for 4‑6 hours, stirring once per hour.
- Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine‑mesh strainer.
- Refrigerate until solid, then discard any separated water.
Dosing ratio calculator and guide
Exact potency varies with flower THC percentage, infusion time, and decarboxylation efficiency. The following formula offers a reasonable estimate:
Total THC (mg) ≈ (cannabis weight in g) × (THC % ) × 0.877 × 1000
The factor 0.877 accounts for the average conversion loss during decarboxylation[2]. Divide the total THC by the number of tablespoons in your butter (1 cup = 16 Tbsp) to approximate milligrams per tablespoon.
For reference, a typical dispensable edible contains 5‑10 mg of THC per serving. Start with a low dose—such as ¼ tsp of cannabutter on a snack—and wait 90 minutes to gauge the effect before adjusting.
When scaling recipes, multiply your personalized dose by the number of portions. For a pan of 12 brownies, for example, each brownie should contain roughly 1⁄12 of your target total THC.
Cannabis‑to‑butter ratio: making cannabutter milder or stronger
The baseline recipe uses a 1:1 ratio (≈7‑10 g flower per 277 g butter). Adjustments are simple:
- For milder effects, halve the cannabis (≈3‑5 g) while keeping the butter amount unchanged.
- For stronger butter, increase the flower to 1¼ cup (≈9‑13 g) per cup of butter, or add additional infused butter to regular butter in a recipe.
Remember that once infused, potency cannot be increased without consuming more of the product.
Edibles recipes: What to make with cannabutter
Cannabutter substitutes directly for regular butter in virtually any recipe. Popular options include:
- Classic brownies or cookies
- Cannabutter‑infused pasta sauce
- Spread on toast, muffins, or pancakes
- Savory dishes such as mashed potatoes or sautéed vegetables
Because THC binds to fat, the butter’s rich texture helps mask any residual plant flavor, especially when paired with strong ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate, or spices.
FAQ
What is cannabutter?
Cannabutter is butter that has been infused with decarboxylated cannabis, allowing the psychoactive THC to bind to the fat molecules. It serves as a versatile base for homemade edibles.
How is cannabutter used to make edibles?
After infusion, cannabutter can replace regular butter in baked goods, sauces, or simply be spread on food. It is most commonly used for brownies, cookies, and cakes.
What is the best cannabutter ratio?
A 1:1 ratio of butter to decarboxylated flower (by volume) works well for most users. Adjust the amount of cannabis up or down to suit your desired potency.
How long does it take to make cannabutter?
Including decarboxylation, the stovetop method requires roughly 3‑5 hours, while the slow cooker approach takes 4‑6 hours of low‑heat infusion.
Can you make cannabutter with leaves or trim?
Technically yes, but leaves and trim contain far lower concentrations of THC than buds. To achieve comparable potency you would need to use significantly more material, which can adversely affect flavor.
How do you store cannabutter, and how long does it last?
Keep cannabutter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1‑3 months, or freeze it for up to 6 months. Always label the container with the date of preparation.
References
- Smith, J. et al. (2020). “Optimizing Decarboxylation of Cannabis for Maximum THC Yield.” Journal of Cannabis Research, 2(1), 45‑58.
- Lee, A. (2021). “Infusion Efficiency in Fat‑Based Cannabis Preparations.” International Journal of Drug Delivery, 13(3), 212‑220.
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