How to Make Cannabutter
Cannabutter, also known as cannabis-infused butter, is a staple ingredient in many cannabis-based recipes. This process, known as an “extraction,” removes the psychoactive compound THC from the cannabis and infuses it into the butter. To make cannabutter quickly and easily, follow these simple steps.
First, gather your ingredients. You will need unsalted butter and cannabis buds or trim. We recommend using high-quality butter for the best taste, as it contains less water and will yield a higher amount of finished product. Additionally, it is crucial to decarboxylate your butter before infusing it with cannabis to maximize the amount of THC infused into your butter.
Decarboxylating your herb before you cook is a vital step in the process. If you skip decarboxylation, you will be setting yourself up for a depressing surprise when you find your cannabutter has a weak potency. While the name may sound intimating, decarboxylation is easy. Just heat your herb on a baking sheet before adding it to butter! Here are a few simple directions:
How to Decarboxylate Cannabis
1. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
2. Grind your cannabis buds into a fine consistency.
3. Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. This process will activate the THC and CBD in the cannabis, making it more potent.
5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cannabis cool.
Once you have activated your flower, it’s time to make some butter. While there are several quick and easy ways to make cannabutter, this stove-top cannabutter method is one of the best for new cannabis chefs:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1-ounce cannabis buds or trim
Instructions:
1. Grind the cannabis buds or trim them into a fine consistency.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
3. Add the ground cannabis and stir to combine.
4. Add the water and continue to stir.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 hours, or until the liquid has reduced by about half.
6. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the plant material.
7. Allow the butter to cool and solidify.
8. Once solid, remove it from the saucepan and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Note: Keeping the mixture at a low simmer is important, as high heat can cause the butter to burn and the THC to evaporate. Keep an eye on the mixture and add more water as needed to prevent burning.
Enjoy your homemade cannabis butter, you can use it as a 1:1 substitute for regular butter in any recipe. You can also experiment with different ratios of butter to cannabis to achieve your desired potency.
