Cooking with Cannabis: How to Make Cannabis-Infused Edibles at Home

The world of gastronomy is not immune to the influence of cannabis. Recently, cooking with cannabis has gained traction, fueled by the hit show Cooked with Cannabis on Netflix, a wave of legalization, and the ever-growing body of scientific research. This article is an exploration of the science and culinary potential of marijuana.

Let’s take a look at how to cook with marijuana and the science behind it.

The Science Behind Edible Cannabis

Marijuana contains over a hundred cannabinoids, chemical compounds that interact with the human endocannabinoid system. Two of the most well-known and studied are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects, and CBD (cannabidiol), which is non-psychoactive and lauded for its potential therapeutic benefits. Terpenes, aromatic compounds found in many plants, including cannabis, also play a role in the plant’s effects and flavor profiles.

The effects of edible cannabis depend on how it’s processed in the body. Edibles are processed entirely through the digestive system. Once ingested, cannabinoids go through an essential transformation in the liver that leads to potent, long-lasting effects.

Understanding the science behind how edibles work begins with a basic understanding of the decarboxylation process and how THC is processed once inside the body.

What is Decarboxylation?

Decarboxylation (also known as “decarbing”) is an important process when cooking with marijuana. Raw flower contains cannabinoids in their inactive form, namely THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). These acidic forms don’t produce any of the effects commonly associated with THC and CBD, like psychoactive effects or therapeutic benefits.

Decarboxylation is the process that transforms these inactive compounds into their active forms. When smoking cannabis, this process happens when flower is combusted by flame. However, for making edibles the transformation happens when marijuana is heated (not burned) to high temperature, somewhere around 220°F (104°C) for about 30 to 45 minutes.

The decarbing process changes cannabis on a molecular level – specifically, the THCA and CBDA lose one carboxyl group (-COOH) as carbon dioxide while retaining a hydrogen atom – converting the inactive THCA and CBDA into the active forms, THC and CBD.

Without this important step, infusing cannabis into your recipes would result in food that lacks potency and doesn’t deliver the anticipated effects. Understanding and correctly implementing decarboxylation is vital to effective cooking with cannabis.

Cooking with Cannabis: The Basics

The most basic recipe involves 2 items: raw cannabis and oil/butter. The first step is to decarb your raw marijuana.

You’ll just need to follow these simple steps:

Materials You’ll Need:

• Cannabis (bud, trim, kief, or hash)
• Baking sheet/Tin Foil
• Parchment paper (optional, but useful)
• Grinder (optional, but useful)
• An oven

Prep

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 245ºF (118ºC). This is an ideal temperature as it’s low enough to prevent your cannabis from burning or getting too toasted.
2. Prep the Cannabis: If using whole buds, break them into smaller pieces with your hands or a grinder. However, do not grind them into a powder. The idea is to increase the surface area to ensure even heat application, not to pulverize the cannabis.
3. Arrange the Cannabis on the Baking Sheet: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Spread out the pieces evenly on the sheet, ensuring they don’t overlap.

Bake

1. Bake the Cannabis: Place the baking sheet in the oven on the middle rack. If you’re using a high-THC strain, bake the cannabis for 30-40 minutes. If it’s a high-CBD strain, consider extending the time to 60-90 minutes, as CBD takes a bit longer to decarboxylate. Every 10 minutes, lightly shake or stir the cannabis to expose all sides evenly to the heat.
2. Cool Down: After baking, remove the tray from the oven and let the cannabis cool down. It should look medium brown and appear dry.
3. Grind the Cannabis: Once the cannabis has cooled down completely, grind it into a finer consistency – something similar to oregano. This is best done with a grinder, but you can also use a pestle and mortar.

Congratulations! You’ve decarboxylated your cannabis. It’s now ready to use in your favorite cannabis-infused dishes but remember – careful dosage is essential; the effects of THC’s can be super potent, and tolerance varies between individuals.

The next step is to create your infusion. But first, you’ll need to calculate the potency of your infusion. Cannabinoids are listed as percentages per gram. THC/CBD is dosed in milligrams (MG) so we will need to convert cannabinoid percentages into total, milligrams.

Calculating Your Dose

If you’re comfortable with your math skills you can use this easy formula to help calculate your dose:

Insert THC/CBD percentage as a decimal number (Example: 85% =.85)

1000 X .__ = Total milligrams THC/CBD

Here’s an example: Let’s say you have 3.5 grams of cannabis you want to use to make an infusion. The total THC of the flower you’re using is 20%.

3500 (there is 3500mg in 3.5g) X .20 (THC percentage converted to a decimal) = 700mg

Keep in mind that this is a close approximation, not an exact number!

Putting It All Together

When you’ve calculated the strength of your recipe you can then divide the servings into the desirable size.

For example, if you baked brownies with an infusion containing 700mg of THC you can divide your brownies into 10. Each brownie will contain approximately 70mg of THC.

How to Make Cannabis Oil

The two most popular infusions options are cannabis oil and cannabis butter (“cannabutter”).

Let’s start with creating cannabis oil. To cook with cannabis oil, you’ll need to create an infusion. This is a versatile option for cooking with cannabis and can be used in a lot of different recipes.

Materials Needed:

• 1 cup of cooking oil – you can use coconut, olive, canola, or any other oil you prefer
• 1 cup (7-10 grams) of ground, decarboxylated cannabis
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Grinder (optional)
• Double-boiler, slow cooker, or saucepan

1. Grind Your Cannabis: If your cannabis isn’t finely ground already from the decarbing process, now is the time to grind it – but not into a powder. It should be coarsely ground like oregano.
2. Combine the Cannabis and Oil: In your double-boiler, slow cooker, or saucepan, combine the ground cannabis and the oil. Stir until they are mixed completely.
3. Heat Your Mixture:
   1. Double boiler: make sure to keep the heat on low (around 160ºF/71ºC if you can control the temperature) and stir the mixture occasionally for at least 6 hours. Make sure the mixture does not boil.
   2. Slow Cooker: Turn it on low and let the mixture simmer for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. You can leave it on for longer (up to 8 hours) for a potentially stronger infusion.
   3. Saucepan: Keep the heat nice and low (preferably around 200ºF or 93ºC), stirring frequently for at least 3 hours. The mixture should never reach a full rolling boil.
4. Strain the Oil: After heating the cannabis and oil mixture for the desired amount of time, let it cool a bit. Then strain the oil using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a bowl or jar. Do not squeeze the cheesecloth; this will add more chlorophyll to your oil. Discard the leftover material.
5. Store the Oil: Carefully pour the oil into a container (a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works well) and store it in a cool, dark place. If stored properly, it can last up to 2 months, or longer if it’s kept in the refrigerator.

How to Use Cannabis Oil

And voila! Your cannabis oil is ready.

You can use your infusion in any recipe that calls for regular cooking oil. You can use some cannabis-infused olive oil on a salad, use it to bake your favorite sweet treats or even mix it into your coffee with some butter to make a keto coffee.

This recipe will yield anywhere from 1260mg to 3000mg of THC per cup of oil, depending on the potency and the amount of flower you use.

How Long Does Cannabis Oil Last?

Cannabis-infused oil can last as long as a month in the refrigerator.

How to Make Cannabutter

Next, let’s have a look at making cannabutter. This is a key ingredient in many marijuana-infused recipes. Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to create cannabutter:

Materials Needed:

• 1 cup of butter
• 1 cup (7-10 grams) of ground, decarboxylated cannabis
• Medium-sized saucepan
• Spoon or spatula for stirring
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Container or dish for storing

1. Melt the Butter: In your saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the Cannabis: Once the butter has melted, add your ground, decarboxylated cannabis to the saucepan. Stir it well with your butter.
3. Simmer: Maintain low heat (above 160ºF but never exceeding 200ºF) and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. The mixture should never come to a full boil.
4. Strain the Butter: Set your strainer or cheesecloth over your chosen container or dish. Once the butter has cooled off a bit, pour it over the strainer or cheesecloth to remove all plant material. Let the butter cool at room temperature. Once it’s cool enough, you can squeeze out any remaining liquid from the cheesecloth, but avoid squeezing too much, as it could push through unwanted plant material.
5. Refrigerate the Butter: Once the butter has cooled down, cover it and put it in the refrigerator until it hardens. The water will separate from the butter during this process.
6. Remove the Water: Once the butter hardens, you can remove the layer of water (if any), leaving just hardened cannabutter.

How to Use Cannabutter

Your cannabutter is now ready to use in any of your recipes that call for butter. You can simply spread cannabutter on your toast or pancakes, use it to bake your favorite treats or even mix it into your coffee with some MCT oil for a new twist on keto coffee.

This recipe will result in anywhere from 1260mg to 3000mg of THC per cup depending on the potency of the flower you use.

How Long Does Cannabutter Last?

If properly stored, cannabutter will last 2-3 weeks.

Cannabis Recipes

Starting with cannabutter and cannabis oil allows for a ton of culinary options. You can spread cannabutter on toast for a nice start to your morning or your cannabis-infused olive oil as a light salad dressing.

From there, infusions can be used in a variety of recipes, from classic baked goods to more gourmet applications like cannabis-infused pasta.

Here are a couple of our favorite recipes:

Chocolate Almond Pot Brownies

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pack of your favorite brownie mix
• 2 medium-sized eggs (beaten)
• 1/3 cup of your homemade cannabis oil
• 1/3 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup of roasted almonds (crushed)

Directions:

1. Preheated your oven to 340ºF (170ºC)
2. Combine your brownie mix, eggs, water, and cannabis oil in a large bowl. Mix until well blended.
3. Add semisweet chocolate chips and crushed almonds. Mix well.
4. Grab a brownie 9 x 13 brownie pan. Lightly grease with cooking spray (not cannabis oil!).
5. Spread your brownie mixture into a pan with a rubber spatula or large wooden spoon
6. Place the brownie pan in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Check your brownies frequently to avoid burning them.
8. To check if they are ready, insert a toothpick near the edge.
9. If the toothpick comes out clean, your pot brownies are done.
10. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool for around 30 minutes.
11. Cut into 20 to 24 small pieces and enjoy your homemade marijuana brownies!

Each serving can have anywhere from 50mg to 150mg per serving so make sure to properly calculate your dose!

*Recipe from Fremont University

Cannabis-Infused Pasta with Shrimp and Basil

Not sure what to make with cannabutter? Try this delicious recipe!

Ingredients Needed:

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (not infused)
• 1 cup basil leaves, save some for garnish
• 1/4 cup snipped chive
• 1 large green bell pepper—stemmed, seeded, and diced
• 2 ounces button mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced
• Sea salt
• Pepper
• 3 shallots—2 thinly sliced and 1 minced
• 4 garlic cloves—2 minced and 2 crushed
• 2 teaspoons each of black peppercorns, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and mustard seeds
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1lb raw peeled jumbo shrimp
• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (not infused)
• 1 tablespoon of your cannabutter
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Coarsely grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine 1/2 cup of the olive oil with 1/4 cup of basil, parsley, and chives and puree until smooth. Strain the herb oil through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing on the solids; discard the solids.
2. In a large fry pan, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil until it’s near the smoking point. Add the bell pepper and button mushrooms with generous pinches of salt and pepper. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until blistered in spots and softened about 3 minutes.
3. Add the minced shallots, minced garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until just softened 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in the herb oil.
4. In a large pot, toast the spice mix over moderate heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the sliced shallots and crushed garlic, then slowly add the white wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover, and steam over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the shrimp to a baking sheet to cool slightly. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl; discard any leftover solids.
5. Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain well.
6. Rinse the pot. Add the uninfused butter and cook until melted. Add the shrimp, vegetable mixture, pasta, heavy cream, and 1/2 cup of the strained cooking liquid and simmer over moderately high heat, tossing, until hot, about 3 minutes.
7. Stir in the cannabutter, lime juice, and the remaining 1/2 cup of mint, and season generously with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowls, garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese, and serve right away.

Interested in trying more recipes? Check out Emily Kyle’s The Best Cannabis Recipes For Beginners.

Tips for Cooking with Cannabis

While cooking with cannabis can be simple and straightforward, there are some things to avoid. Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your cannabis recipes.

• When baking with cannabis, it’s important to keep temperatures below (180°C) to prevent the THC from degrading. Likewise, when cooking with cannabis oil or butter on the stovetop it’s important to avoid critically high temperatures so you don’t burn off and degrade the THC in your infusion.
• Different strains of cannabis offer different flavors and THC/CBD ratios, further influencing the cooking experience. Understanding these flavor profiles can help you create some delicious pairings.
• The most common errors beginners make are using too much cannabis or not decarboxylating their cannabis properly. This is easily avoidable with knowledge and care.
• Proper storage of cannabis oil/cannabutter is necessary to maintain its quality and effectiveness over time. Make sure to store your infusions in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
• Always mark your infusions. At a minimum, the container should clearly state that it is a cannabis infusion. It is also recommended that you mark the container with the total THC content in milligrams and THC content per serving. This will help avoid accidental dosing or dosing too much.
• Always be responsible. Keep your cannabis-infused products away from children and pets.

Remember: always consume responsibly. Start with a low dose, wait for the effects (45 minutes to 2 hours) before consuming more, and always prioritize safety. This is vital. It’s also smart to consult with your health professional, especially if you have a pre-existing condition or are using other medications.

Final Thoughts

As the landscape of adult-use cannabis continues to change and evolve, so too will its culinary uses. Even now there are techniques and technologies, like nanoemulsion, being developed that are changing the way we view edibles. However, as with cooking any food, understanding, and respect are crucial. Cooking with weed offers an interesting blend of science, culinary art, and possible health benefits, but you should always approach it responsibly and within the legal bounds of your city and state.

Want to learn more about edibles? Check out our complete guide to the world of edibles.

Do you have a delicious recipe to share? Share it with us on Instagram.

Sources:

Decarboxylation: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

How to Make Marijuana Brownies the Right Way

THE BEST CANNABIS RECIPES FOR BEGINNERS