Last reviewed October 18, 2026
To make cannabutter, decarb your cannabis in the oven, simmer it gently in butter and water for 2 to 3 hours, strain it, and chill it so the butter separates from the water. You can then cook with it like regular butter, as long as you keep the heat moderate and measure it carefully, since it’s the dose.
You’ll need: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup water, 3.5–7 g of decarbed flower, a saucepan or slow cooker, cheesecloth and a container.
Cannabutter recipe
- Decarb the flower at about 115 °C (240 °F) for 30 to 45 minutes. See How to decarb weed.
- Melt the butter with the water over low heat. The water stops the butter burning.
- Add the decarbed flower and hold it at a bare simmer, around 70–90 °C (160–200 °F), for 2 to 3 hours. Never let it boil.
- Strain through cheesecloth into a container. Press gently; squeezing hard adds a grassy taste.
- Chill until the butter sets on top, then lift it off and pour away the water.
- Label it with the date and your estimated strength.
Know your strength
| Flower in 1 cup of butter (20% THC) | Most THC in the batch | Per tablespoon (16 in a cup) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 g | about 614 mg | up to about 38 mg |
| 7 g | about 1,228 mg | up to about 77 mg |
These are upper limits: grams × THC % × 1,000 × 0.877. Infusion always loses some. A single tablespoon can be far more than a starting dose, so cut it with regular butter.
How to cook with cannabutter
- Keep the heat moderate. Baking is fine, since the food stays well below oven temperature. Avoid frying or browning it.
- Mix it in thoroughly so every portion gets a similar amount.
- Portion before serving: decide how many servings the dish makes, and divide the THC.
- Use it in: cookies, brownies, toast, pasta sauces, mashed potatoes and anything that takes butter at the end.
Storing cannabutter
Keep it sealed and labelled in the fridge for up to a few weeks, or freeze it in measured portions, such as an ice cube tray, for several months. Store it out of reach of children and pets.
Common questions
How do I strain cannabutter?
Pour it through cheesecloth over a container, and let it drip rather than squeezing hard.
What happens if you don’t decarb?
Much of the THCA stays unconverted, so the butter is far weaker than expected.
Is it stronger the longer you cook it?
Not beyond a few hours. Long or hot cooking starts breaking THC down.
How do I know I made it right?
It should be green-gold and smell of cannabis. Test a tiny amount first and wait 2 hours.
