How to Make Weed Butter and Cannabutter at Home
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own cannabis edibles, weed butter (also called cannabutter) is the first step. It’s the base for all kinds of cannabis-infused recipes—cookies, brownies, pasta, toast, you name it.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to make weed butter at home. Whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned user, we’ll keep it simple, friendly, and easy to follow.
What Is Weed Butter or Cannabutter?
Weed butter, or cannabutter, is just regular butter infused with cannabis. You can cook or bake with it to make homemade edibles. Since THC and CBD are fat-soluble, butter is a great base for soaking up all those cannabinoids.
You might see people use the words canna butter, weed butter, or cannabutter—they all mean the same thing.
Why Make Your Own Cannabutter?
Store-bought edibles can be expensive and sometimes inconsistent in potency. When you make weed butter at home:
- You control the dose.
- You pick your strain (indica, sativa, or hybrid).
- You save money.
- You can cook or bake whatever you want.
Plus, it’s a great weekend project if you enjoy being in the kitchen.
What You’ll Need to Make Weed Butter
Before we dive into the steps, here’s a list of everything you’ll need.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (about 227 grams) unsalted butter
- 7–10 grams of cannabis (depending on your desired potency)
- 1 cup of water (optional, helps regulate temperature and prevent burning)
Tools:
- Oven
- Saucepan or slow cooker
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass container or jar with a lid
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Grinder
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Weed
This step is critical. Raw cannabis won’t get you high unless it’s heated. That’s because THC in its raw form (called THCA) needs to be activated through a process called decarboxylation.
How to Decarb:
- Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Break your weed into small pieces—not too fine.
- Spread it evenly on the tray.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring once or twice.
You’ll notice the weed darkens in color and smells a bit roasted—that’s how you know it’s ready.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
Now it’s time to prepare your butter.
1 cup of butter equals about 227 grams, in case you’re measuring by weight.
In a saucepan, combine:
- 1 cup of butter
- 1 cup of water (optional but recommended)
Melt the butter on low heat. Don’t let it boil. If you’re using a slow cooker, set it to low.
Step 3: Add the Decarbed Weed
Once the butter is fully melted, add your decarbed cannabis.
Stir gently and make sure the weed is fully coated.
Now let it simmer on low for 2 to 3 hours.
Tips for This Step:
- Keep the heat low (ideally around 160–200°F or 70–93°C).
- Stir every 30 minutes.
- Never let it boil—it can burn off the THC.
Step 4: Strain the Mixture
After the simmering is done, let it cool for a few minutes.
Then strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
Don’t squeeze the weed too hard.
You may get extra plant material and a more bitter flavor.
Let the strained butter cool at room temperature before sealing it. Then store it in the fridge.
Step 5: Store and Use
Once your cannabutter solidifies in the fridge, it’s ready to use. You can also freeze it for long-term storage.
Use it just like regular butter in any recipe. But remember—edibles take longer to kick in and last longer than smoking or vaping.
How Strong Is My Cannabutter?
The strength depends on:
- The THC content of your cannabis
- How much weed you used
- How long you simmered it
If you used 10 grams of cannabis with 20% THC, that’s about 2000 mg of THC total. If you split that across 1 cup of butter, then each tablespoon has roughly 125 mg of THC. That’s very strong.
Start slow:
Most beginners should try 5–10 mg of THC per serving. You can cut your butter with regular butter to dilute it if needed.
How to Cook with Weed Butter
You can use weed butter in any recipe that calls for regular butter—just substitute it in. Here are some fun ideas:
- Cookies or brownies
- Toast or pancakes
- Mac and cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Popcorn topping
Just remember to bake at lower temps (under 350°F) to keep the THC from degrading.
Bulleted Tips for Making Cannabutter
- Always decarb your weed—it’s non-negotiable.
- Use low heat. Too hot and you’ll destroy the THC.
- Add water to help prevent burning.
- Strain slowly and avoid squeezing the plant material.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge (lasts 2–3 weeks) or freezer (up to 6 months).
- Label your cannabutter clearly—especially if you have kids or pets.
Common Questions About Making Cannabutter
How long does it take to make weed butter?
About 3 to 4 hours from start to finish, including decarbing.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but unsalted is better for baking. Salted butter also tends to separate more during cooking.
Is weed butter the same as CBD butter?
Not necessarily. CBD butter is made from high-CBD, low-THC strains. Weed butter usually has THC, which gets you high.
What’s the best strain for making cannabutter?
It depends on the effects you want:
- Indica strains for relaxation or sleep
- Sativa strains for energy or creativity
- Hybrid strains for a balanced high
Can I make weed butter with stems or trim?
Yes, but it won’t be as strong. Stems and trim have less THC than flower.
Final Thoughts
Making your own cannabutter is easy once you know the basics. It gives you full control over potency, flavor, and how you want to use it.
Start with small doses, label everything clearly, and enjoy cooking with cannabis at your own pace.
Looking for high-quality cannabis flower to make your weed butter? Browse our premium marijuana flower selection at Dank Mart, your trusted online weed dispensary in the U.S.
REFERENCES:
Katey D., MScFN, RD, CPT. Medically reviewed by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice). (2019, October 2). What Is Cannabutter? Benefits, Recipes, and Side Effects. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cannabutter
Aggrey, M. G., and Denenberg, Z. (2023, March 21). How to Make Cannabutter, Step-by-Step. Available at: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/a-beginners-guide-to-making-weed-butter
About author
Add comment