How To Make Cannabutter At Home

This luscious cannabutter is the backbone of brownies, cookies, and even savory dishes that make dinner a little more delightful, and the best part is you can make it right in your own kitchen. Here’s everything you need to know about crafting the perfect batch of cannabutter, step by step.

But first, a few disclaimers. In Canada, it is legal to make cannabis-infused products at home for personal use as long as you are of legal age and using cannabis purchased legally. But don’t resell your homemade goodies or give them to minors. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get cooking.

Why Cannabutter?

Cannabutter is the edible MVP because it incorporates the psychoactive goodness of THC (or the chill factor of CBD) so seamlessly with the rich, buttery flavor that is perfect for cooking and baking. It’s versatile, easy to store, and can be used in virtually any recipe that calls for butter, from classic cookies to gourmet sautéed veggies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (the better the butter, the tastier your cannabutter)

• 1 cup of coarsely ground cannabis (roughly 7-10 grams)

• 1 cup of water

• Cheesecloth or fine strainer

• Saucepan or slow cooker

• Airtight container for storage
  

Step 1: Decarboxylation 

Photo by José Antonio Luque Olmedo / istock

Before you mix your cannabis with butter, you need to activate its psychoactive compounds through a process called decarboxylation. This step is crucial to unlocking THC and CBD.

1. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).

2. Spread your ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
   

You’ll know it's ready when the cannabis turns a golden-brown color and smells earthy.

Step 2: Infuse Your Butter

Now, it’s time to marry your butter and cannabis.

1. Melt your butter in a saucepan or slow cooker over low heat. Add 1 cup of water to prevent scorching.

2. Stir in your decarboxylated cannabis, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the butter-water mixture.

3. Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The key is to keep the mixture below boiling—around 160-200°F (70-93°C).
   

Step 3: Strain and Store

Photo by Alexey Demidov

Once your butter is infused, it’s time to strain out the plant material.

1. Place a cheesecloth or fine strainer over a bowl or jar.

2. Slowly pour the mixture through the cheesecloth, squeezing out every last drop of buttery goodness.

3. Let the strained butter cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it until it solidifies. The water will separate from the butter, so drain it off before use.
   

Patience is key to preventing bitter flavors and maximizing potency. Avoid accidental consumption by clearly labeling your cannabutter container and start small when using your cannabutter in recipes to gauge its strength.

How to Use Cannabutter

When you’ve created your golden ingredient, the possibilities are endless. You should use it to bake cookies, make a batch of mashed potatoes, or just spread it on toast. It’s also important to keep your portions small for the time being until you know how strong your butter is — no one wants that surprise six-hour trip to the couch.

This is a fun way to personalize your cannabis experience, and it’s easier than you might think to make cannabutter at home. From a cannabis-friendly dinner party that you’re hosting to just using it to help you relax and enjoy an evening snack, this homemade infusion will make your edibles even better.