Cannabutter Recipe: How to Make Cannabis Butter

What You Need

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (240ml) water — helps regulate temperature and remove impurities
• 7–14g decarboxylated cannabis — must be decarbed first (see decarboxylation guide)
• Medium saucepan or slow cooker
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Glass container or silicone mold for storage

Why 7–14g? 7g produces a mild, beginner-friendly butter. 14g is stronger and better suited for experienced consumers. Start low.

Method 1: Stovetop (3–4 hours)

1. Melt butter with water. Add 1 cup butter and 1 cup water to a medium saucepan. Melt on low heat.
2. Add decarbed cannabis. Once butter is melted, stir in your decarboxylated cannabis. Mix well.
3. Simmer on very low heat for 3–4 hours. The temperature should stay between 160–180°F (70–82°C). Never let it boil. Stir occasionally.
4. Strain. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a glass bowl. Press gently to extract all butter — do not squeeze too hard or you will add more chlorophyll.
5. Refrigerate. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for 1–2 hours. The butter will solidify on top of the water.
6. Separate. Once solid, lift or scoop the butter away from the water below. Discard the water. Your cannabutter is ready.

Method 2: Slow Cooker (6–8 hours)

1. Add butter, water and decarbed cannabis to the slow cooker.
2. Set to Low setting. Cook for 6–8 hours, stirring every 1–2 hours.
3. Strain, refrigerate and separate as described above.

The slow cooker method is more hands-off and produces consistent results. Ideal for larger batches.

Straining: Tips for a Clean Result

• Use a double layer of cheesecloth for the cleanest butter.
• Allow the butter to drip through naturally rather than pressing — pressing releases more plant material and bitterness.
• Discard the spent cannabis — it has been fully extracted.

Storage

• Fridge: Airtight container, lasts 2–4 weeks.
• Freezer: Lasts up to 6 months. Freeze in tablespoon-sized portions for easy dosing.
• Always label your cannabutter clearly and store it away from children and pets.

Dosage Tips

Calculating potency depends on the THC content of your cannabis strain. A simple estimate:

Note: Not all THC converts or is absorbed. Real-world potency is typically 50–70% of theoretical. Start with a small test dose (1/4 teaspoon) and wait 2 hours before consuming more.