This guide is from a book called ‘The Art of Weed Butter’ by Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey, with extra information from Zoe Denenberg. It’s part of our series on Cooking With, Eating, and Enjoying Weed.
How to make cannabis butter? You can use cannabutter to make brownies, cookies, or any recipe with weed in it. You don’t have to be an expert chef or weed expert to make it. You just need patience, organization, a good recipe, and some understanding of how much weed to use. You can also use the same method to make infused chili oil for noodles or special coconut oil for popcorn.
This recipe makes about 30 mg of THC per tablespoon of butter or oil. A typical dose is 10 mg. Start by trying a small amount, like ¼ teaspoon, and wait for about an hour. Edibles take longer to work than smoking. Pay attention to how you feel and adjust your dose accordingly. It’s better to be cautious to ensure a good experience.
Step 1: Elimination of the Carboxyl Group
How to make cannabutter? To make weed butter, start by baking your cannabis to activate its effects. This process, called decarboxylation, turns the cannabinoids in the plant into their active forms. This step is important for getting the most out of your infusion with butter or oil.
It’s better to use whole cannabis flowers instead of ground ones to avoid a mess in your oven. After baking, you can break up the decarbed flowers using a hand grinder.
Items required:
- 0.5 ounces of marijuana buds
- Parchment paper
- Glass baking tray or sheet pan
- Manual grinder or scissors
Instructions:
- First, preheat the oven to 220°F.
- Next, gently break the buds into large pieces and spread the plant material evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the sheet on the center rack of the oven.
- Depending on the quality and moisture level of the weed, bake for 20 minutes for older or lower-quality cannabis, 45 minutes for well-cured, high-grade cannabis, or 1 hour or more for freshly harvested, moist cannabis.
- Keep an eye on the cannabis while it bakes, stirring it gently every 10 minutes to prevent burning. As it decarboxylates, the color will change from bright green to a deep brownish-green.
- Once decarboxylation is complete, remove the cannabis from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet.
- After cooling, break up the decarbed cannabis to the desired consistency using a hand grinder, scissors, or your hands. Aim for a fine consistency that’s suitable for rolling joints, but not too fine as to pass through cheesecloth or a joint, which can cloud the butter. A clean and clear cannabutter is the goal.
Step 2: Crafting Cannabutter Using a Stovetop Infusion Process
How to make weed butter? The next part of the process takes more time. You’ll need to cook the cannabis with your chosen fat for about 4 hours. People often use butter or ghee, but you can use other fats like olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil too. It doesn’t matter which fat you choose, the process is the same. If you’re making weed butter, it’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness.
The longer you cook the melted butter and cannabis together, the stronger your thc butter will be. We suggest cooking for four hours, which gives the right amount of strength and a grassy flavor without being too strong. Adding water to the pot stops the butter from burning, so you don’t need a double boiler. Just keep the saucepan on low heat and keep an eye on it. It might make your kitchen smell a bit, but that’s because of the terpenes, which give cannabis its smell. If you’re worried about burning or want a more hands-off way, you can also use a slow cooker set to the lowest heat.
Ready to make marijuana butter? Follow this simple stovetop method.
Here is what you will require:
- 1½ cups of water
- 8 ounces of clarified butter, unsalted butter, or oil
- ½ ounce of cannabis that has been decarboxylated
- Medium-sized saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Thermometer
- Cheesecloth or mesh strainer
Here are the steps:
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine water and either butter or oil.
- If using butter, allow it to melt before adding the ground decarboxylated cannabis. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon and cover with a lid.
- Simmer gently for 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent burning. If possible, monitor the temperature with a kitchen thermometer to ensure it stays below 180°F.
- After 4 hours, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a mesh strainer into a container. Let the infused butter cool to room temperature.
- Use the butter immediately or store it in an airtight container, such as a sealed mason jar, in the refrigerator or freezer for up to six months.
Ways to Utilize Infused Butter Made with Cannabis
Utilize your homemade cannabis-infused butter in a variety of delectable recipes, both sweet and savory. For a timeless twist, swap out 1 teaspoon of cannabis butter per serving in classics like cheesecake brownies, breakfast blondies, or even our renowned chocolate chip cookies. To break it down, if a batch makes 12 brownies, substitute 12 teaspoons (equivalent to 4 tablespoons or ¼ cup) of cannabis butter for a serving with a 10-milligram dosage. For instance, our confetti cake recipe calls for 1½ sticks (12 tablespoons) of butter and serves 12 individuals. Planning a special canna-fetti cake for your friend’s birthday? Employ 4 tablespoons of cannabis butter alongside 8 tablespoons of regular butter for the ideal potency.
The culinary journey doesn’t halt at making cannabutter. Delve into the savory realm with cannabis-infused oil by blending 1 tablespoon of infused olive oil with 3 tablespoons of regular extra-virgin olive oil. Use this blend to enhance dishes like a succulent Charred Raw Corn salad, delivering 30 milligrams for the entire dish, equating to 7.5 milligrams per serving. Alternatively, elevate flavors with garlic chile oil atop chicken and rice soup, substituting 2 tablespoons of cannabis-infused sesame oil for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. The final result may not mimic grandma’s traditional chicken noodle soup, but it promises a delightful sensation.
Prefer to bypass the lengthy stovetop infusion process? Decarboxylate your cannabis, then follow associate food editor Rachel Gurjar’s recipe for bhang, a customary cannabis beverage enjoyed during Holi. Regardless of your chosen method, cannabis-infused edibles offer a discreet, smoke-free avenue to relish the flower’s effects. Just remember to consume responsibly.
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