Curious about taking your cannabis experience to the kitchen? Cooking with cannabis is a fun and flavorful way to enjoy it, whether you’re looking for an alternative to smoking or just want to try something new. Plus, creating cannabis-infused recipes can turn a regular meal into a memorable experience—perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo.
While cannabis brownies are a classic, there’s a whole world of recipes to explore. From savory dishes to sweet treats, this guide will walk you through essential tips and techniques for cooking with cannabis. So grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!
Tips for Working with Cannabis-Infused Ingredients
For some people, cooking with cannabis may be intimidating. We’ll start with these tips for working with cannabis-infused ingredients so you understand some of the basics before we get into recipes and other topics.
Start Small and Follow Established Guidelines
When cooking with cannabis, it is important to follow established guidelines. Start by using small amounts, especially if you are new to cooking with cannabis. That way, any rookie mistakes you make won’t waste too much of your ingredients.
Don’t Forget to Decarb
Always decarboxylate the cannabis to activate its psychoactive properties. Cannabis binds easily with oil, butter, and fat. These should form the base for your infusions. If you share your living space, be sure to label your infused oil or butter products to avoid confusion.
Be Patient
Avoid decarbing cannabis at high temperatures. Doing so can degrade cannabinoids and reduce the potency of your dish. We’ll cover specific oven heating guidelines later on, but for now, remember to be patient when cooking with cannabis.
Be patient when you’re eating your cannabis goodies, too. It can take well over an hour before you feel the effects of a cannabis-infused edible.
Store Smart
Don’t forget to store your baked goods or other dishes in an airtight container. It may be best to keep your treats in cold storage. Like any food, cannabis-infused foods can spoil or degrade quickly when exposed to the natural environment for long periods.
Use Quality Flower
When baking with cannabis, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to use large quantities of cannabis when you use high-quality flower. One-quarter to one-half ounce of flower per cup of butter or oil is generally enough, depending on your desired strength. The potency also depends on the strength of the cannabis flower you are using. It is always a good idea to test with a smaller amount first to gauge the effects before using a higher dosage.
Carefully Estimate Dosage
Measure dosages carefully. Cooking may be an art, but you want to measure like a scientist. That way, you don’t end up with an underwhelming experience or the opposite (unexpectedly getting way too high). Using lab-tested cannabis with labeled cannabinoid percentages makes it easier to control dosage. Beginners should aim for 1 to 5 milligrams of THC per serving. For example, if you have 10 grams of cannabis with 20% THC, that’s 2,000 milligrams of THC.
After decarboxylation, you’ll have 1,800 milligrams of active THC. If your oil or butter absorbs about 60%, you’ll end up with 1,080 milligrams of THC. As you can see, a small amount of cannabis can go a long way.
Don’t “Overchomp” Your Cannabis
Once your cannabis flower is prepared, you will be ready to infuse it into the carrier ingredient of choice (often oil or butter). Some recipes call for grinding cannabis into a fine powder, a process also known as “chomping.” While some grinding is essential, it’s also important to take care not to overchomp your cannabis. Doing so makes it hard to strain out later.
Grinding cannabis into a powder doesn’t add to the potency of the final cannabis-infused product and may take away from the final flavor. Break your cannabis into small, evenly-sized pieces large enough to be caught by a cheesecloth or strainer for a smoother infusion. This will improve the quality of your cannabutter or oil and prevent the unpleasant taste and texture caused by excess plant material.
Strain Well
One of the most frequently overlooked tips for cooking with cannabis is remembering to strain out plant matter to improve the texture and flavor of the final product. One way to do this is with a cheesecloth. This material allows oils to pass through while filtering out any remaining bud remnants. Avoid squeezing the butter too hard. Doing so could force bits of hemp matter into your final product.
Mix Thoroughly
Once you’re ready to use your carrier to create a cannabis edible, try to avoid uneven mixing, which can lead to uneven THC distribution. This can mean the effect of one area of the final food product may be potent while another area isn’t. It takes a little more time, but hand-mixing the butter or using a machine can lead to a more consistent and flavorful final product.
Keep It Low
As mentioned earlier, overheating cannabis can lead to plant degradation that can cause off flavors and reduced potency. If you’re using decarbed cannabis-infused butter or oil to create a product you’ll need to bake again, adhere carefully to the recipe and the baking temperatures. Otherwise, you may end up burning off valuable cannabinoids.
Trust Your Taste Buds
Finally, trust what your taste buds are telling you. If the flavor is off, even when you follow the recipe, try to find out what went wrong. Whatever you cook or bake shouldn’t have a strong cannabis flavor. The food should be flavorful and well prepared.
How to Decarb Flower for Cooking
One of our top tips for infusing your favorite foods with cannabis is a reminder to decarb your flower. You can’t just stir some cannabis flower into your recipe and expect it to deliver a pleasurable high. You will need to first “unlock” the psychoactive parts of cannabis.
This means converting CBDA into CBD and THCA into THC so those cannabinoids can interact with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system and have their beneficial effects. This also allows you to enjoy better the medicinal benefits of cannabis use, such as relief from chronic pain.
Cannabis has an extra carboxyl (carbon and oxygen) chemical group that prevents cannabinoids from binding to your cannabinoid receptors. Decarboxylation removes this group, enabling the cannabinoids to be used as intended.
Oven decarboxylation is the simplest method for cooking with cannabis. You’ll need seven to 14 grams of lightly ground cannabis, an oven, and a baking sheet. It’s as simple as preheating your oven to 250°F, grinding the flower, spreading it on the sheet, and baking for 30 minutes until light brown. Experimenting with time and temperature and closely following our feature on decarbing cannabis will help you find the best results for your edibles.
How to Make Cannabis Butter
Cannabis butter is a great base ingredient for making tasty cannabis-infused treats. The first step involves gathering the important ingredients. You’ll need 7 to 14 grams of decarboxylated cannabis, 1 cup of butter, and 1 cup of water.
Decarboxylate the cannabis flower by baking it for 30 minutes at a temperature of 250 degrees to activate the cannabinoids. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, adding the water to prevent burning. Once the butter is melted, stir in the decarboxylated cannabis and let the mixture simmer on low heat for two to three hours while stirring occasionally to avoid boiling. Strain and enjoy.
Review our full tutorial on cannabutter for critical tips and tricks.
How to Make Cannabis Oil for Cooking
The first step when making cannabis oil is to gather your ingredients: cannabis, oil, grinder, baking sheet, saucepan, strainer, cheesecloth, and a storage container.
Start by decarboxylating the cannabis by preheating your oven to 220 degrees. Break the cannabis into small pieces, then spread them on the baking sheet before baking for around 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
In a saucepan, combine the decarbed cannabis with one cup of oil for every ounce of cannabis, heating gently for 2-3 hours while stirring occasionally to avoid boiling. Strain the mixture by using a fine strainer or cheesecloth placed over a bowl. Transfer the strained oil to an airtight container. The oil can be used for a wide range of edible options. Start with small amounts to gauge potency, and then enjoy.
For a detailed cannabis oil recipe, review our full post on the topic.
Recipe Ideas Using Cannabutter
Long gone are the days when cannabis brownies were the only thing you could make with cannabis that tasted good. Cannabis products are no longer relegated to baked goods, although cookies and other sweet treats still reign supreme for many foodie cannabis enthusiasts.
Here are a few of our favorite ideas that don’t involve a brownie mix. And, if you haven’t tried it yet, don’t miss our ‘The Bear’ Inspired Infused Chocolate Cake.
Cannabis-Infused French Toast
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Cannabis-Infused French Toast
Description
This delectable French toast recipe is relatively simple to make if you have cannabutter on hand.
Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup jam, and a bit more for topping (we recommend strawberry)
- 1 Tablespoon cannabutter
- 4 thick slices of brioche
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for topping
- 4 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar for topping
- Crème fraîche, for topping
- 1 lemon, quartered
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine jam and cannabutter. Slice a pocket into each piece of brioche and load with about 1.5 T of jam/cannabutter mixture.
Whisk together eggs, sugar, cream, and about ½ t of sea salt. Then, melt 2 T of butter in a pan. Soak stuffed brioche pieces in egg mixture and cook until browned on both sides. Repeat with remaining brioche pieces.
Place all on a baking sheet and bake for five minutes, until cooked through. Top with powdered sugar, drizzle with crème fraîche, and dollop with remaining jam. Immediately before serving, squeeze with lemon and sprinkle with sea salt.
Cannabis-Infused Pasta Carbonara
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Tips for Cooking with Cannabis
Description
Cooking with cannabis isn’t limited to sweets; this creamy, earthy pasta is ideal for your next cannabis-tasting dinner.
Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 gram of ground cannabis, decarbed
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 slices bacon or pancetta, diced
- 1/2 pound spaghetti
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic powder
Instructions
Whisk together egg yolks and cream, and set aside. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions; while spaghetti is cooking, heat a large skillet and cook bacon or pancetta until browned and crispy. Drain the pasta and add to the skillet with the bacon. Add the cream mixture and the decarbed cannabis to the pan and toss. Add Parmesan and toss again to combine. Serve topped with more Parmesan.
Cannabis-Infused Banana Bread
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Cannabis-Infused Banana Bread
Description
To make a delicious cannabis banana bread, all you’ll need is some cannabutter and some simple ingredients.
Ingredients
You’ll need:
- ½ cup cannabutter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a large pan. Mix the softened cannabis butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, followed by vanilla extract and mashed ripe bananas. In a separate bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. After it cools, slice and enjoy this delightful treat!
Cooking with Cannabis FAQs
Cooking with cannabis can be a fun activity that provides a new way to enjoy cannabis without having to use a smoking device. If you are new to the process, you can refer to these frequently asked questions before you get started.
How Do I Decarb Cannabis for Baking?
Decarb cannabis by spreading it on a baking sheet and heating it in the oven at 250°F for about 30 to 40 minutes until it turns light brown. This critical process chemically activates the THC and makes it ready for infusion into your recipe. Without decarbing, you won’t experience any sensory effects.
Can I Use Any Type of Butter for Cannabis Infusions?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter, salted butter, or even butter alternatives. Some vegan clients prefer to use solid coconut oil. The key is to infuse it with decarbed cannabis for proper potency. This ensures the final product delivers the desired flavors.
How Do I Determine the Dosage in My Baked Goods? [H3]
Calculate the total amount of THC in your infused butter, then divide by the number of servings to determine the dosage per serving. This method allows you to accurately gauge the potency of each piece, ensuring a consistent experience with your baked goods.
Do I Need to Adjust Baking Times for Cannabis-Infused Recipes?
Generally, no adjustments are needed. However, monitor your baked goods closely to ensure they don’t overbake or burn. You do not want to overheat the cannabis-infused food because high temperatures can degrade the potency of the cannabis flower.
Will My Baked Goods Smell Like Cannabis?
Yes, the aroma of cannabis will be present while baking. Ensure proper ventilation or check with others before baking if the smell may be an issue. A well-prepared oil should only have mild cannabis flavors. Some recipes, including our chocolate cake, can hide the flavor of cannabis entirely.
Shop Ivy Hall for High-Quality Flower for Cooking with Cannabis
Now that you know the basics of cooking with cannabis and a few fun recipes, you can explore baking with cannabis confidently. Should you require help along the way, you can rely on Ivy Hall’s neighborhood cannabis dispensary for high-quality flower and other ingredients.
Shop online or in person at any of our dispensaries across Illinois, and follow us for more cannabis recipes you can try making at home!
