How to Make Cannabis Butter: Step-by-Step Recipe (2026)

Cannabis butter (also known as cannabutter) is the foundation of nearly every cannabis recipe: cookies, brownies, cakes. If you master this recipe, you’ll have the key ingredient to cook with cannabis safely and potently.

🎬 Video: Step-by-Step Preparation

📺 Watch video on Vimeo PevGrow

➕ Ingredients for Cannabis Butter

For about 250g of cannabis butter (yields 20-25 servings of cookies or brownies):

Base ingredients:
– 15-25g of cannabis flowers (trichome-rich, better quality = more potency)
– 250g of unsalted butter (good quality, preferably organic)
– 500ml of water (helps control temperature and prevents burning)

Optional:
– 1 teaspoon of soy lecithin (increases THC bioavailability)
– 1 pinch of salt (improves flavor)

💡 Don’t have cannabis? Explore our catalog: High-quality marijuana seeds

🚀 How to Make Cannabis Butter Step by Step

Step 1: Decarboxylation (45 min) — CRUCIAL!

Raw cannabis does NOT have psychoactive effects. You must activate the THC through heat:

1. Preheat the oven to 110°C
2. Crumble the flowers (don’t pulverize them, leave small pieces)
3. Spread them on a tray with parchment paper
4. Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 min
5. The cannabis should be dry, fragrant, and lightly golden

⚠️ Common mistake: If you go over time or temperature, you burn the terpenes and lose flavor and potency.

Step 2: Bain-Marie Infusion (2-3h)

1. In a saucepan, add the water and butter, heat on low until melted
2. Add the already decarboxylated cannabis
3. Keep on minimum heat (never let it boil, ideal 60-80°C)
4. Stir every 20-30 minutes
5. Let it infuse for 2-3 hours (longer = more potent)

💡 Pro Tip: Use a kitchen thermometer. If you exceed 100°C, the THC evaporates.

Step 3: Straining (15 min)

1. Prepare a bowl with a coffee filter or clean cheesecloth
2. Pour the hot mixture through the filter
3. Press well to extract all the butter
4. Repeat straining 2-3 times until you get a clear, golden liquid
5. Discard the plant remains (don’t reuse them, they’re spent)

Step 4: Solidification and Storage

1. Let cool at room temperature (30 min)
2. Refrigerate in a glass jar with an airtight lid
3. It will solidify in 2-3 hours (texture similar to regular butter)
4. Label clearly: “CANNABIS BUTTER – KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN”

📊 Dosage: How Much Cannabis to Use

Level	Cannabis per 250g butter	Estimated THC per serving*	Effect
Beginner	7-10g	5-10mg THC	Mild relaxation, giggles
Intermediate	15-20g	15-25mg THC	Euphoria, noticeable body high
Advanced	25-30g	30-50mg THC	Deep sedation, strong high

*Serving = 12g of butter (for a medium cookie)

Quick Potency Calculation:

(Grams of cannabis × 1000 × %THC × 0.8) ÷ Number of servings

Example: 15g at 18% THC = 15 × 1000 × 0.18 × 0.8 = 2160mg total THC
If you make 24 cookies: 2160 ÷ 24 = 90mg THC per cookie

❌ Common Mistakes When Making Cannabis Butter

1. Not decarboxylating → Result: butter with no effect. Always bake the cannabis first.
2. Overheating → THC evaporates above 157°C. Use low heat.
3. Not straining well → Plant bits in the butter. Use a coffee filter, strain 3 times.
4. Not labeling → Someone might use it unknowingly. Label clearly.
5. Using old butter → Rancid fat ruins the flavor. Use fresh butter.
6. Making too little → The effort-to-result ratio improves with larger batches.
7. Not calculating dosage → Unpredictable effects. Use our formula.

✅ Quick Method: Cannabis Butter in 1 Hour

Short on patience? Use an air fryer or instant pot:

1. Decarboxylate in an air fryer at 110°C for 30 min
2. Mix cannabis + butter + water in a glass jar suitable for the instant pot
3. Set 60 minutes on high pressure
4. Strain and refrigerate

Advantage: Ready in 1.5 hours
Disadvantage: Lower extraction yield (10-15% less potent)

🌱 Vegan Version and Alternatives

For 100% plant-based butter:
– Substitute with coconut oil (better THC absorption) or vegan butter
– The process is identical, only the fat base changes
– Coconut oil has a higher smoke point, ideal for infusion

Other alternatives:
– Olive oil: Intense flavor, ideal for savory recipes
– Lard: Traditional version, very potent due to saturated fat
– Ghee (clarified butter): Longer shelf life, lactose-free

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does the effect of cannabis butter last?
Between 6 and 8 hours, depending on your tolerance and the dose consumed.

Can it be made with hash or concentrates?
Yes, but the dosage changes drastically. 1g of hash at 40% equals 5-7g of flowers.

Why doesn’t my butter have any effect?
Most likely you forgot decarboxylation, or the cannabis was very low quality.

How many calories does it have?
A 12g serving has approx. 90 calories (similar to regular butter).

Can I use trim or leaves?
Yes, but the potency will be much lower. Use trichome-rich flowers for best results.

How do I know if it’s well made?
It should have a uniform golden color, intense cannabis smell, and creamy texture.

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🎯 CANNABIS COOK’S QUICK GUIDE

📊 THC Calculator

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🌡️ Critical Temperatures

Phase	Ideal Temperature	⚠️ If you go over...	🔬 Why
Decarboxylation	105-115°C	You lose terpenes and flavor	THCA → THC occurs at 105°C
Infusion	60-80°C	THC evaporates (>157°C)	THC degrades to CBN (more sedating effect)
Baking	160-180°C	All cannabinoids degrade	Above 200°C THC is destroyed

💡 Pro tip: Invest in a digital kitchen thermometer. They cost €10-15 and make the difference between "no effect" and "perfect."

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🧬 Which Strain to Use? — Strain ↔ Recipe Pairing

Each dish calls for a different effect profile. Here's our recommendation:

Recipe	Desired Effect	Strain Type	🌱 PevGrow Recommendations
🍪 Cookies / Brownies	Relaxing, body high	Indica dominant	Northern Lights, OG Kush, Granddaddy Purple
🎂 Cake / Muffins	Social, euphoric	Balanced hybrid	Blue Dream, Girl Scout Cookies, Wedding Cake
🫒 Oil (salads)	Creative, energizing	Sativa dominant	Sour Diesel, Jack Herer, Green Crack
🧈 Butter (multipurpose)	Balanced, versatile	50/50 Hybrid	White Widow, Critical Mass, Amnesia Haze
🥛 Milk / Beverages	Mild, functional	CBD-rich or mild indica	CBD Therapy, Harlequin, Cannatonic

⚠️ Golden rule: If it's your first time cooking with cannabis, start with moderate THC strains (15-18%). +25% genetics are for expert cooks.

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⚠️ Anti-Bad-Trip Checklist

Before you dig in, review this:

• [ ] ✅ I've calculated my dose using the formula above
• [ ] ✅ I have some food in my stomach (more gradual effect)
• [ ] ✅ I won't mix with alcohol (multiplies intensity)
• [ ] ✅ I have 6-8 free hours ahead
• [ ] ✅ There's a sober person reachable (your "copilot")
• [ ] ✅ I've labeled the final product "CONTAINS CANNABIS"
• [ ] ✅ I have water, snacks, and a relaxing playlist at hand

🆘 If You Feel It's Too Much...

1. Breathe — long pause (inhale 4s, hold 4s, exhale 6s, repeat 5 times)
2. CBD — CBD partially counteracts THC effects. A few drops of CBD oil help
3. Distract yourself — put on a light series, listen to calm music, lie down
4. Remember — no one has ever died from consuming cannabis. The rough patch PASSES. In 1-2 hours you'll feel better

📞 Support line: If you need professional guidance, consult Energy Control (free and confidential service in Spain)

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📦 Storage: Maximize Potency and Flavor

Method	Duration	How
🌡️ Room temp (cool and dark)	3-5 days	Airtight container, away from direct light
❄️ Fridge (4°C)	2-3 weeks	Glass jar with lid, labeled
🧊 Freezer (-18°C)	3-6 months	Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap + aluminum foil

🚫 Never microwave to thaw. Uneven heat degrades THC. Thaw at room temperature for 30-60 min.

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🛒 Take Your Recipes to the Next Level

Ready to grow your own cannabis? At PevGrow we've got everything:

You Need	Link
🌱 Quality seeds	Full catalog
🔥 High THC genetics (+25%)	Potent feminized
🧬 CBD seeds	CBD catalog
🛠️ Everything for growing	Full store

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✍️ About the Author

🐦 @pev_de · 💼 LinkedIn

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Article updated: May 2026