How to Make Cannabutter: Classic Cannabis Butter Recipe

Cannabutter is the foundation of cannabis cooking. This versatile ingredient can be used in any recipe that calls for butter, from brownies and cookies to pasta and sauces.

Quick Answer

To make cannabutter: Decarboxylate cannabis at 240°F for 45 minutes, simmer with butter and water at 160-180°F for 2-3 hours, strain through cheesecloth, refrigerate until butter solidifies, then drain water. Use 1 cup butter to 7-14 grams decarbed cannabis.

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Why Cannabutter Works

Fat-Soluble Extraction

THC and other cannabinoids are fat-soluble, meaning they dissolve in fats but not water. Butter contains about 80% milk fat, making it an excellent extraction medium.

High fat content = better cannabinoid absorption = more potent butter.

Versatility in Cooking

Cannabutter replaces regular butter 1:1 in any recipe:

• Baked goods (brownies, cookies, cakes)
• Savory dishes (pasta, garlic bread, sauces)
• Spread on toast
• Added to coffee or hot drinks

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What You Need

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks/225g) unsalted butter
• 7-14 grams decarboxylated cannabis
• 1 cup water

Equipment

• Saucepan or slow cooker
• Wooden spoon
• Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
• Heat-resistant container
• Thermometer (recommended)

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Step-by-Step Cannabutter Recipe

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

If not already done, decarboxylate cannabis at 240°F for 40-60 minutes. This step is essential - skip it and your butter will not be potent.

Step 2: Melt Butter with Water

Add butter and water to saucepan over low heat. Water prevents burning and helps regulate temperature.

Why water? Butter alone can burn at low temperatures. Water keeps temperature stable and washes away impurities.

Step 3: Add Decarbed Cannabis

Once butter melts, add decarboxylated cannabis. Stir to combine fully.

Ratio guideline:

• Mild: 7 grams per cup butter
• Standard: 10-12 grams per cup butter
• Strong: 14+ grams per cup butter

Step 4: Simmer on Low Heat

Maintain temperature between 160-180°F (70-82°C). Do not let it boil.

Simmer time options:

• Minimum: 2-3 hours
• Standard: 3-4 hours
• Extended: 6-8 hours (maximum extraction)

Stir every 30 minutes. Add more water if level drops significantly.

Step 5: Strain the Mixture

Set cheesecloth over heat-resistant container. Pour butter mixture through carefully.

Press gently to extract all liquid. Do not squeeze hard - this releases chlorophyll and makes butter taste grassy.

Step 6: Refrigerate Overnight

Cover and refrigerate for 8-24 hours. Butter will solidify on top, water will sink to bottom.

Step 7: Separate Butter from Water

Remove solidified butter disc. Discard water (it contains no cannabinoids).

Optional: Scrape any sediment from bottom of butter disc for cleaner product.

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Slow Cooker Method

Many prefer slow cookers for hands-off cooking:

1. Add butter, water, and decarbed cannabis to slow cooker

2. Set to low (or "keep warm" if that is your lowest setting)

3. Cook for 8-24 hours, stirring occasionally

4. Strain and refrigerate as above

Advantage: Consistent low temperature, no monitoring required.

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Dosing Your Cannabutter

Calculating Potency

Formula: (grams of cannabis x THC% x 1000) x 0.80 = approximate mg THC per batch

Example with 10g at 20% THC:

• 10 x 0.20 x 1000 = 2,000 mg THC in cannabis
• 2,000 x 0.80 (infusion efficiency) = 1,600 mg THC in butter
• 1 cup butter = approximately 1,600 mg THC total

Per tablespoon (16 tablespoons per cup):

• 1,600 ÷ 16 = 100 mg THC per tablespoon

Starting Doses

• Beginners: Use 1/4-1/2 tablespoon per serving
• Regular users: 1/2-1 tablespoon per serving
• Experienced users: Adjust to preference

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Tips for Perfect Cannabutter

Tip 1: Low and Slow

Never boil your butter. High heat destroys THC. Keep temperature under 200°F.

Tip 2: Use Quality Butter

Higher fat content = better extraction. European-style butter (82%+ fat) works best.

Tip 3: Do Not Over-Press When Straining

Gentle pressing extracts butter. Hard squeezing extracts chlorophyll and creates bitter taste.

Tip 4: Water is Your Friend

Adding water prevents burning, regulates temperature, and washes away plant matter.

Tip 5: Patience Pays Off

Longer simmer times (6-8 hours) extract more cannabinoids than short times.

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Storage

Refrigerator

Store in airtight container for 2-3 months.

Freezer

Freeze in ice cube tray for portion control. Lasts 6-12 months.

Room Temperature

Not recommended - butter will go rancid within days.

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Troubleshooting

Butter is too weak

• Did not decarboxylate properly
• Temperature was too low during infusion
• Did not simmer long enough
• Used insufficient cannabis

Butter tastes too grassy

• Pressed too hard when straining
• Simmered too long (past 8 hours can increase plant taste)
• Cannabis had excess stems and leaves

Butter separated or has weird texture

• Too much water remained
• Did not refrigerate long enough for complete separation
• Normal variation - will still work in recipes

Butter looks green

Normal. Chlorophyll from cannabis tints butter green. Does not affect potency or usability.

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Using Cannabutter in Recipes

Direct Substitution

Replace regular butter 1:1 with cannabutter in any recipe.

Mixing Ratio

For milder edibles, use half cannabutter and half regular butter.

Best Recipes for Cannabutter

• Brownies and bars
• Cookies
• Cake and cupcakes
• Pasta sauces
• Garlic bread
• Mashed potatoes
• Rice dishes

Temperature Caution

Keep baking temperatures at 350°F or below when possible. THC degrades above 315°F, though short exposure to higher temperatures in an oven is generally fine.

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Cannabutter is the classic foundation of cannabis edibles. Master this recipe and you can infuse virtually any dish.