Cannabutter Recipe

This recipe is excerpted from The Essential Guide to CBD. Learn step-by-step how to safely make your own budget-saving CBD products and edibles in this all-new resource. Get your copy now.

Yield: Approximately 2 pounds of butter

Ingredients

• 1/2 to 1 ounce dried CBD-rich cannabis flowers or trim
• 2 pounds unsalted butter or unrefined coconut oil
• 1 quart hot tap water

Unlike edibles made with CBD oil, it’s difficult to estimate the dosage of cannabutter made from cannabis flowers. The cannabutter’s potency depends on a variety of factors, including flower variety (indica vs. sativa) and the time and temperature used to cook the butter. We recommend starting small—1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon—to see how the butter affects you before increasing the dose.

Directions

Step 1: Grind the CBD cannabis flowers

Using a hand grinder, mortar and pestle or coffee grinder, coarsely grind the dried cannabis flowers to turn them into smaller pieces.

Editor’s tip: Grinding the flowers helps release the cannabinoids and terpenes, but the butter can taste too intense if the flowers are ground too finely. If you’re using a coffee grinder, be sure to use the coarsest setting. You can clean the grinder by grinding uncooked rice before and after grinding the flowers.

Step 2: Cook on low heat in the slow cooker

Place the ground CBD flowers in the bowl of a 2.5-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add the unsalted butter and hot water and turn the unit on low. Cook the cannabutter for 8 to 24 hours, adding extra water if needed. The water helps regulate the butter’s temperature to keep it from burning, and it’s easy to remove after the butter sets if you accidentally add too much.

Editor’s tip: To make dairy-free, vegan cannabutter, use unrefined coconut oil instead of butter.

Step 3: Strain through cheesecloth

When the butter has simmered for 8 to 24 hours, it’s time to remove the CBD flowers. Line a colander or sieve with cheesecloth and set it above a heat-proof bowl. Let the butter drain unassisted for 10 minutes.

Editor’s tip: Resist the urge to squeeze or press out any remaining butter from the cheesecloth. It can push some unpleasant-tasting plant material into the finished product.

Step 4: Chill

The butter will appear separated after it’s been strained, but don’t worry. The milk solids and oil will come together as the cannabutter chills. You can chill the butter in the bowl, or ladle it into a silicone butter mold or airtight container. Cover the bowl and chill the butter in the refrigerator until it’s solidified, about 3 to 4 hours.

Editor’s tip: If you notice any small bits of CBD flower left behind in the butter, don’t fret. If they’re small enough to make their way through the cheesecloth, they’ll be barely noticeable in your baked goods!

Step 5: Discard water and store

Remove the cannabutter from the mold or bowl and discard any water that remains behind. Pat the butter dry with paper towels and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For extended use, store the cannabutter in the freezer for up to six months.

How to Store Cannabutter

The cannabanoids in cannabutter are most stable when stored in a cool, dark place, so it’s best to store cannabutter in the fridge or freezer to maintain its potency. Store the solidified butter in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. If you’re making sticks with a butter mold, you can wrap them in waxed paper to protect them from freezer burn.

How Long Does Cannabutter Last?

Cannabutter has a shorter shelf life than regular butter because it’s been infused with CBD flowers. It should last about two weeks in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer.