How to Make Cannabutter: Complete Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227g) unsalted butter
- 7-10 grams decarboxylated cannabis flower
- 1 cup water
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Mason jar or airtight container for storage
- Cooking thermometer (optional but recommended)
Why Cannabutter Is the Foundation of Cannabis Cooking
Cannabutter is the single most versatile cannabis-infused ingredient and the starting point for the vast majority of cannabis edible recipes. Because THC is fat-soluble, it binds readily to the fat in butter during a slow infusion process, creating a finished product that can be substituted 1:1 for regular butter in virtually any recipe. The beauty of cannabutter lies in its flexibility: once you have a well-made batch, you can use it in brownies, cookies, cakes, sauces, pasta dishes, on toast, or anywhere else you would use regular butter. The quality of your cannabutter depends on three key factors: proper decarboxylation of the cannabis beforehand, maintaining the correct temperature during infusion (never exceeding 200 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid degrading cannabinoids), and thorough straining to remove all plant material. A well-made cannabutter should have a rich green-gold color, a mild herbal aroma, and a smooth texture when cooled. The process requires patience but minimal skill, making it accessible even to kitchen novices.
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
Before infusing, you must decarboxylate (decarb) your cannabis to convert THCA (the raw, non-psychoactive form) into THC (the active compound). Skip this step and your butter will have little to no psychoactive effect. Break your cannabis into small, popcorn-sized pieces — do not grind it to powder, which makes straining difficult and can increase the grassy taste. Spread the pieces evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 240 degrees Fahrenheit (115 degrees Celsius) for 30 to 40 minutes, checking and gently mixing at the halfway point. The cannabis should turn from green to a light golden-brown color and become dry and crumbly. Your kitchen will smell strongly of cannabis during this step, so plan accordingly. Proper decarboxylation is the single most important factor in potent cannabutter. Under-decarbing leaves THCA unconverted, while over-decarbing at temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit begins degrading THC into CBN, which is sedating but less psychoactive. A dedicated cannabis decarboxylation device can take the guesswork out of this step if you plan to cook regularly. See our detailed decarboxylation guide for more information.
Step 2: Infuse the Butter (Stovetop Method)
Add 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of water to a saucepan or small pot over low heat. The water serves multiple purposes: it helps regulate temperature (preventing the butter from exceeding 212 degrees Fahrenheit since water cannot exceed its boiling point at sea level), distributes heat more evenly, and helps wash away water-soluble compounds like chlorophyll that contribute unpleasant flavors. Once the butter is fully melted, add your decarboxylated cannabis and stir gently. Maintain the mixture at a very low simmer — you should see occasional small bubbles but never a rolling boil. The ideal temperature range is 160 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir occasionally every 15 to 20 minutes. Continue simmering for 2 to 3 hours for a standard infusion. Some recipes call for longer infusion times up to 4 hours, but extended cooking beyond 3 hours provides diminishing returns and may extract more chlorophyll and plant waxes. A slow cooker set to the low setting works excellently for this step, as it maintains consistent low temperatures without requiring constant monitoring. Never let the mixture boil vigorously, as high temperatures degrade THC and can cause the butter to burn.
Step 3: Strain, Cool, and Store
After infusing, let the mixture cool for 5 minutes, then carefully strain through a cheesecloth-lined funnel or fine mesh strainer into a glass container (a mason jar works perfectly). Squeeze the cheesecloth gently to extract remaining liquid but avoid pressing too hard, which forces plant material through the cloth and creates a grittier, more bitter product. Discard the spent cannabis material. Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. During cooling, the butter will solidify on top of the water, forming a disc that you can lift off. Discard the water underneath, which contains water-soluble compounds and will have a dark color. Pat the bottom of the butter disc dry with a paper towel. Your finished cannabutter should be solid, golden-green, and have a mild herbal scent. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for up to 6 months. Label clearly with the date, strain used, amount of cannabis, and estimated potency to avoid accidental consumption and to ensure consistent dosing in your recipes.
Calculating Dosage for Your Cannabutter
Accurate dosing is critical for a safe, enjoyable edible experience. Here is how to estimate potency: multiply the grams of cannabis used by the THC percentage (in decimal form) by 1000 to convert to milligrams. For example, 7 grams of 20% THC flower: 7 x 0.20 x 1000 = 1400mg total THC. Account for approximately 10-20% loss during decarboxylation and infusion, leaving roughly 1120-1260mg in your entire batch. If your batch produces 20 tablespoons of butter (approximately 1 cup), each tablespoon contains roughly 56-63mg of THC. A typical cookie recipe using 2 tablespoons of cannabutter that yields 12 cookies would contain approximately 9-10mg THC per cookie — a reasonable dose for an experienced user. Beginners should start with recipes that use less cannabutter or dilute cannabutter with regular butter. For a milder batch, use 3.5 to 5 grams of cannabis per cup of butter instead of 7 to 10 grams. Always label your products with estimated potency and keep all cannabis edibles securely away from children, pets, and unsuspecting adults. Consider tracking your cannabis stock investments on CannaCap alongside tracking your dosing experiments — data-driven approaches work in both domains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cannabis should I use per cup of butter?
A standard ratio is 7-10 grams of cannabis flower per 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter for regular potency. For milder butter, use 3.5-5 grams per cup. For stronger butter, you can use up to 14 grams, though this increases the cannabis flavor and can make precise dosing more challenging in recipes.
Can I make cannabutter with stems and trim?
Yes, but trim and stems contain significantly less THC than flower (typically 2-5% vs. 15-25%). You will need 3-4 times more material to achieve similar potency. Trim cannabutter tends to have a stronger plant flavor. Sugar leaves (small leaves near buds) are the best trim material due to their higher trichome density.
Why does my cannabutter taste so strong?
Strong grassy flavor typically comes from grinding cannabis too finely before infusing, cooking at too high a temperature, infusing for too long (over 4 hours), or pressing the cheesecloth too hard when straining. The water method described above helps reduce flavor, and using water-cured cannabis (soaked in water for 24-48 hours before decarbing) can further minimize taste.
Can I make cannabutter in a slow cooker?
Yes, and many people prefer this method. Add butter, water, and decarbed cannabis to a slow cooker set on low (which typically maintains 160-200°F). Cook for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. The consistent low temperature and hands-off nature make this an excellent method for beginners.
How do I know if my cannabutter is potent enough?
The only way to know exact potency is laboratory testing, which some dispensaries offer. For home estimation, use the calculation method: grams x THC% x 1000 x 0.85 (accounting for 15% loss) = total mg THC in batch. Test a measured portion and wait 2 hours to assess effects before consuming more.
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Disclaimer: This recipe is for educational purposes only and is intended for use where cannabis is legal. Always calculate and label dosage carefully. Keep all cannabis products away from children and pets.