How To Make Quick Cannabutter: An Easy Cannabutter Recipe

Whether you’re a culinary novice or just new to the cannabis cooking scene, mastering the art of cannabutter is your first step towards creating a range of mouth-watering treats, from the infamous space cakes to the classic pot brownies.

This guide is designed to demystify the process, breaking it down into three easy steps that even beginners can follow with ease. And, it’s probably the fastest way to make cannabutter for yourself. 

The secret to great cannabis-infused dishes lies in the quality and preparation of your cannabutter. 

One of the most crucial steps in creating potent and effective quick weed butter is the process of decarboxylation. Often overlooked by novices, this process is what sets apart a merely good cannabutter from a truly great one. Decarboxylation, or ‘decarbing’, involves heating cannabis to activate its psychoactive and therapeutic compounds, namely THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). 

Why Decarboxylation Matters: In its raw form, cannabis contains THCA and CBDA, non-psychoactive precursors to THC and CBD. These compounds must be transformed through heat to release the full potential of the plant’s effects. Without this process, the cannabutter will lack the potency and desired effects, resulting in a disappointing culinary and sensory experience.

The Decarbing Process: Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively decarboxylate your cannabis:

1. Preparation: Start by finely grinding your cannabis to increase the surface area, which allows for more even and effective heating. However, avoid over-grinding to a powdery consistency, as this can lead to a bitter taste in your cannabutter.

2. Temperature and Time: Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). This temperature is optimal as it activates the THC and CBD without burning the plant material. Spread your ground cannabis on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The parchment prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.

3. Baking: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. This duration strikes the right balance between full activation and preserving the delicate terpenes, which contribute to the cannabis’s flavor and aroma profile. 

4. Stirring: Halfway through the baking process, gently stir or shake the cannabis on the sheet. This ensures an even decarboxylation and prevents any hot spots that might overheat certain parts of the cannabis.

5. Cooling: Once the time is up, remove the baking sheet from the oven. The cannabis should have a slightly toasted color and a distinct, aromatic smell. Allow it to cool at room temperature. This step is vital, as it stops the heating process and preserves the integrity of the cannabinoids and terpenes.

By following these detailed steps, you ensure that your cannabis is perfectly decarboxylated, setting the stage for a rich and robust cannabutter. Remember, patience and attention to detail in this phase can significantly enhance the quality of your final product.

After decarboxylating your cannabis, the next step is to infuse it into butter, creating the base for countless cannabis-infused dishes. This section will guide you through a simple yet effective method to make high-quality cannabutter quickly.

Ingredients and Tools:

– Decarboxylated cannabis

– 1 cup of unsalted butter (high-quality butter is recommended for better taste and yield)

– Medium saucepan

– Mesh strainer or cheesecloth

– Storage container for the finished cannabutter

The Infusion Process:

1. Melt the Butter: Begin by melting your unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. It’s essential to keep the heat low to avoid burning the butter, which can impart a bitter taste and destroy the delicate cannabinoids.

2. Add the Cannabis: Gradually stir in your decarboxylated cannabis into the melted butter. This gradual addition ensures an even distribution of cannabis throughout the butter, leading to a more consistent potency in your final product.

3. Simmer Carefully: Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 45 minutes. This slow infusion process is crucial for a full extraction of THC and CBD into the butter. Keep a close eye on the saucepan to maintain a gentle simmer and prevent the mixture from boiling, which can lead to a loss of potency and burnt flavors.

4. Stir Regularly: Stir the mixture frequently during the simmering process. Regular stirring helps in even infusion and prevents the cannabis from sticking to the bottom of the pan, which could lead to scorching.

5. Strain the Mixture: Once the simmering is complete, remove the saucepan from the heat. Pour the hot cannabutter through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a storage container. This straining process removes the plant material, leaving you with a smooth, cannabis-infused butter. If using a cheesecloth, gently squeeze to extract as much butter as possible, but be cautious as the mixture will be hot.

6. Cooling and Storing: Allow the cannabutter to cool to room temperature before sealing and storing it. Properly stored in an airtight container, cannabutter can last in the refrigerator for up to a month and can be frozen for longer storage.

Tips for Success:

Use high-quality, unsalted butter for a better-tasting and more potent cannabutter.

Control the heat carefully throughout the process to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Store the cannabutter properly to maintain its potency and freshness.

By following this method, you will be able to create a rich and potent cannabutter that can be used in a variety of recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes. The key to success lies in the careful balance of heat and time to achieve the perfect infusion.

Once your cannabis and butter have been thoroughly infused, the next pivotal step is straining. This process is essential to separate the potent butter from the spent plant material, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable texture in your edibles. Straining is not just a functional step; it also plays a crucial role in the final quality and taste of your cannabutter.

Materials Needed:

– Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

– Heat-resistant bowl or container

– Spatula or spoon

Straining Process:

1. Choosing Your Strainer: A fine mesh strainer is ideal for separating the smaller plant particles from the butter. Alternatively, cheesecloth can be used, which allows you to squeeze out every last drop of butter while filtering out the plant material.

2. Preparation: Place your strainer or cheesecloth over a heat-resistant bowl or container. If using cheesecloth, fold it into layers to create a finer filter. This setup should be ready as soon as your cannabutter has finished simmering.

3. Pouring the Cannabutter: While still warm, carefully pour the cannabutter over the strainer or cheesecloth. If the butter has begun to cool and solidify, gently reheat it to ensure smooth straining.

4. Extracting Every Drop: Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press against the cannabis material in the strainer. This action helps to squeeze out all the infused butter. If using cheesecloth, gather the edges and twist to form a pouch, then gently squeeze the pouch to extract the butter. Be cautious, as the butter will be hot.

5. Discarding the Plant Material: Once all the butter has been strained, the remaining plant material can be discarded. This spent material has given up its potent compounds to the butter and is no longer needed.

6. Cooling and Storing the Butter: Allow the strained cannabutter to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container for storage. Remember, proper storage is key to maintaining the quality and potency of your cannabutter.

Pro Tips:

Strain while the butter is still warm for easier handling and better yield.

Be gentle but thorough when pressing the plant material to extract maximum butter without breaking down the plant matter into the strained product.

For those sensitive to the taste of cannabis, rinsing the strained butter with warm water can help remove some of the plant’s bitter flavors.

By carefully following these steps, you can ensure that your cannabutter is smooth, potent, and ready for your favorite recipes. The quality of your straining process directly impacts the final product, making it a crucial skill in any cannabis chef’s repertoire.

For those seeking a more hands-off approach or looking to infuse larger batches, making cannabutter in a slow cooker is an excellent alternative. This method is ideal for maintaining a consistent low heat, crucial for extracting cannabinoids without risking burning the butter. Slow cooking also allows for a longer infusion time, potentially resulting in a more potent and flavorful cannabutter.

Advantages of Using a Slow Cooker:

Consistent Low Heat: A slow cooker provides a steady, low heat, reducing the risk of overheating the butter and cannabis mixture.

Longer Infusion: The extended cooking time allows for a thorough infusion, potentially increasing the potency of the cannabutter.

Ease of Use: Once the ingredients are combined in the slow cooker, it requires minimal monitoring, freeing you up to attend to other tasks.

Ingredients and Equipment:

– Decarboxylated cannabis

– 1 to 2 cups of unsalted butter (depending on your potency preference)

– Water (optional, but helps prevent scorching)

– Slow cooker

– Mesh strainer or cheesecloth

– Storage container

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Combine Ingredients: Place your decarboxylated cannabis and butter in the slow cooker. If using water, add enough to cover the bottom of the cooker. The water will help regulate the temperature and prevent burning.

2. Cook on Low: Set your slow cooker to low heat. Cover and let it cook for about 3 to 4 hours. This gentle simmer is ideal for extracting the cannabinoids and terpenes without degrading them.

3. Stir Occasionally: While not as hands-on as stovetop methods, it’s still a good practice to stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even infusion and prevent any hot spots.

4. Strain the Mixture: After the cooking time is up, carefully strain the mixture through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a heat-resistant container to separate the solid plant material from the butter.

5. Cool and Store: Allow the cannabutter to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator or freezer as previously outlined.

Tips for Optimal Results:

Quality of Cannabis: As with any cannabutter method, the quality of your starting material will significantly impact the final product. Choose high-quality, well-cured cannabis for the best results.

Water Addition: Adding water can help prevent the butter from burning and make the straining process easier, as the plant material will be less likely to stick to the butter.

Patience is Key: Slow cooking takes time, but the result is a smoothly infused cannabutter with well-preserved flavors and cannabinoids.

Using a slow cooker for making cannabutter is a convenient, low-maintenance method that can yield excellent results. This method is particularly suitable for those who prefer to avoid the more active monitoring required in stovetop preparations.

Don’t discard the trimmings from your cannabis plants; they are a treasure trove for making cannabutter. While trim may have lower THC content compared to the buds, it’s still valuable for creating a milder but effective cannabutter, perfect for those preferring a less intense effect.

Why Use Trim: Using trim for cannabutter is a cost-effective and resourceful way to utilize all parts of the cannabis plant. It’s especially beneficial for home growers who might have an abundance of trim.

Making Cannabutter with Trim:

1. Decarboxylate Your Trim: As with buds, begin by decarboxylating your trim. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 240°F (115°C) for about 20-25 minutes.
2. Infuse with Butter: Combine your decarboxylated trim with butter in your chosen method (stovetop, slow cooker, etc.). Trim-infused butter may require a slightly longer infusion time due to its varied texture and composition.
3. Strain and Store: Strain the butter using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Store as you would any cannabutter, in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Tips for Using Trim:

Quantity: You may need to use more trim than you would flower to achieve similar potency levels.

Clean Trim: Ensure the trim is free from leaves and stems, which can impart a more grassy flavor.

Cannabis stems, often discarded, can also be used to make a milder cannabutter. While stems contain less THC than flowers or trim, they still have enough cannabinoids to be worth the effort.

Preparation of Stems:

1. Grind the Stems: Use a grinder to break down the stems into smaller pieces. This increases the surface area for better infusion.
2. Decarboxylate: Spread the ground stems on a baking sheet and decarboxylate in the oven.
3. Infuse and Strain: Follow the same infusion process as with buds or trim. Strain carefully, as stem pieces can be harder and sharper.

Considerations When Using Stems:

Flavor: Stems can have a woody flavor, which might be noticeable in your cannabutter.

Potency: Expect a lower potency from stem-infused cannabutter. This can be ideal for micro-dosing or for those new to cannabis edibles.

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a concentrated form of cannabis oil known for its high potency. Infusing cannabutter with RSO is an efficient way to achieve a strong and effective product.

Using RSO in Cannabutter:

1. Decide the Potency: Determine the amount of RSO based on the desired strength of your cannabutter. Be mindful of the high potency of RSO.
2. Mix with Melted Butter: Gently heat your butter and blend in the RSO until fully integrated.
3. Cool and Store: No need for straining as there are no solid plant materials. Store as usual.

Benefits of Using RSO:

Potency Control: You can easily adjust the strength of your cannabutter.

Efficiency: It’s a quick method without the need for decarboxylation or straining.

Cannabis wax or shatter can also be used to make highly potent cannabutter. These concentrated forms of cannabis need to be handled with care due to their high THC content.

Making Cannabutter with Wax:

1. Decarboxylate the Wax: Spread the wax on a parchment-lined baking sheet and heat in the oven to decarboxylate.
2. Infuse with Butter: Once decarboxylated, mix the wax with melted butter, ensuring it’s fully dissolved.
3. Strain (if needed) and Store: Some waxes may leave residues, so straining might be necessary. Store as you would any cannabutter.

Note on Using Concentrates:

Potency Awareness: Be very aware of the potency when using concentrates and dose your edibles accordingly.

Uniform Infusion: Ensure the concentrate is evenly mixed with the butter for consistent potency throughout.

Flavoring cannabutter can enhance its taste and make your edibles more enjoyable. Adding herbs, spices, or other flavorings can mask the inherent cannabis taste, which some find overpowering.

Ideas for Flavoring Cannabutter:

Herbs and Spices: Infuse herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic into your cannabutter during the simmering process.

Citrus Zest: Lemon or orange zest can add a fresh, tangy flavor to your cannabutter, complementing the cannabis taste.

Sweeteners: For sweet dishes, consider mixing in a bit of honey, maple syrup, or vanilla extract after the infusion process.

Steps for Flavoring Cannabutter:

1. Choose Your Flavors: Decide on the flavors you want to infuse based on the intended use of your cannabutter. For savory dishes, herbs and garlic work well, while sweeteners and citrus zest are great for desserts.
2. Infuse During Cooking: For robust flavors like herbs and garlic, add them to the butter during the simmering process. This allows the flavors to meld together.
3. Add Delicate Flavors Afterward: For delicate flavors like citrus zest or vanilla, stir them into the finished cannabutter after it has cooled a bit. This preserves their fresh, aromatic qualities.

Tips for Flavored Cannabutter:

Balance the Flavors: Be careful not to overpower the subtle nuances of cannabis. Aim for a harmonious blend of flavors.

Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.

Pesto cannabutter is a versatile and flavorful twist on traditional cannabutter, perfect for spreading on bread or tossing with pasta.

Ingredients:

– 1 cup cannabutter

– 1 cup fresh basil leaves

– 2-3 cloves of garlic

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

– 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Olive oil (optional)

Preparation:

1. Make Cannabutter: Prepare your cannabutter using the method of your choice.
2. Blend the Pesto Ingredients: In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, cheese, nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
3. Combine with Cannabutter: Add the cannabutter to the food processor and blend until well-mixed. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of olive oil to reach the desired consistency.
4. Store or Use Immediately: You can use the pesto cannabutter immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later use.

Serving Suggestions:

– Toss with pasta for a quick and flavorful meal.

– Spread on toasted bread for a delightful appetizer.

– Use in place of regular butter in savory baking recipes.

Determining the dosage of your cannabutter is crucial for ensuring consistent and safe consumption. Understanding the potency of your cannabutter helps in dosing your edibles properly, which is especially important for those using it for medicinal purposes.

Determine The Total Milligrams Of THC Or CBD:

The total milligrams of THC or CBD in your cannabutter depend on the potency of the cannabis you used and the amount of butter. This calculation provides a baseline understanding of the strength of your infusion.

Determine The Dosage Of Your Edible:

Step 1: Calculating The Amount Of Cannabis Used Per Tablespoon Of Butter

1. Calculate the Total Cannabis Used: Start by determining the total weight of cannabis used in the recipe, typically measured in grams.
2. Divide by Butter Quantity: Divide this amount by the total number of tablespoons of butter used in your recipe. This gives you the amount of cannabis per tablespoon of butter.

Step 2: Calculate Milligrams Of THC In Your Flower

1. Know Your Strain’s Potency: Understand the THC or CBD percentage of the strain you are using. This information is usually provided by the supplier.
2. Calculate Total THC/CBD: Multiply the THC or CBD percentage by the total grams of cannabis used. This gives you the total milligrams of THC or CBD in your cannabutter.

Step 3: How To Calculate The Dosage Of Edibles

1. Use Your Previous Calculations: Take the total milligrams of THC or CBD in your cannabutter (from Step 2) and divide it by the total number of tablespoons (from Step 1). 
2. Determine Per Serving Dosage: Divide this number by the number of servings in your recipe to find the approximate dosage per serving.

Botany Farms: Delta-8 Zombie Kush

Botany Farms offers a range of high-quality cannabis strains, like the Delta-8 Zombie Kush. This particular strain is known for its unique blend of effects, making it a great choice for those looking to infuse a balanced, enjoyable high into their cannabutter.

Live Resin CBD + THC Tincture

For those looking for a more controlled and precise way to infuse their butter, Botany Farms’ Live Resin CBD + THC Tincture is an excellent choice. This tincture offers a combination of CBD and THC, providing a well-rounded infusion experience. It’s perfect for adding to your cannabutter mixture, especially if you’re aiming for a specific ratio of CBD to THC.