Once you've mastered how to make CannaButter, all of your Cannabis edibles recipes are a breeze. I like to mix up a big batch of this weed butter to keep on hand for my future edibles recipes. If you're looking for an easy way to make Cannabis Butter in the crockpot or slow cooker, then you're in the right place. This recipe also makes a delicious vegan CannaButter.
Whether you're whipping up a batch of CannaButter Chocolate Chip Cookies or just want to enjoy some avocado toast or fat bomb keto coffee that will get you high, this CannaButter recipe is simple, delicious and will definitely get you high.
How to Make Cannabis Butter (CannaButter)
First, You Need to Decarb Your Weed
The first thing you'll need in order to get started is decarbed weed, aka decarboxylated or activated cannabis.
Don't skip this first step. It's a must in order for your cannabis edibles to actually get you high. And luckily, it's a super simple process.
Click here to learn how to decarb your weed so that you can start making your CannaButter.
Now You're Ready to Make Your CannaButter
In a crockpot, place 1 ¼ cups of the butter of your choice. This can be salted butter, unsalted butter or vegan, dairy-free butter. It's completely up to you and what types of recipes you'll be using this for in the future.
Add in ½ ounce of your decarboxylated cannabis.
Cover and cook on low for 4 - 6 hours, stirring occasionally if desired.
When finished, you'll need to strain out the marijuana. While some like to use a cheesecloth and strainer, I've found that I get the biggest batch of CannaButter (and make the least mess) when I use a coffee press. (This is the one I love.)
After straining, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you'll be storing for longer than a month, store in the freezer. Use within 6 months.
How to Make Cannabis Butter (CannaButter) Video
Cannabis Butter (CannaButter) Frequently Asked Questions
Since this is one of the most widely used bases for cannabis edibles recipes, it also tends to come with the most questions. Here are answers to a few of the most popular questions that I receive.
Will CannaButter Work on Toast?
Yes! Some may find the taste to be a little strong if you're eating it directly on toast, but others swear by it. Personally, I like to add a little honey to cut the cannabutter taste a little bit. Or I use it when making Avocado Toast. But - yes - CannaButter will absolutely work on toast.
Will Cooking with CannaButter Smell?
We get this question all the time. As long as you decarbed your weed properly, you shouldn't notice an overwhelming odor when making CannaButter. In fact, we noticed zero smell when making it in our crockpot. But if you have concerns about the smell of cooking with Cannabis, you can click here to read more.
Which is Better - CannaButter or Canna Oil?
This completely depends on what recipe you're cooking and what you're in the mood for. While you'll probably find that the more common cannabis edibles recipes stick with CannaButter, we find that Canna Oil is just as effective and in fact preferred for some recipes (like for Taco Chicken Chili).
Click here to see all of our recipes that use Canna Oil.
And click here to see how to make Cannabis Infused Oil.
Can CannaButter spoil or mold?
Yuppers. CannaButter can go rancid, so it's important to keep it refrigerated - especially if you live in warmer climates.
Can CannaButter last in the freezer?
Also yes. If you're not going to be using your CannaButter within one month, we recommend storing it in the freezer for up to six months.
Can CannaButter kill a dog?
Technically, yes. BUT it would take a LOT of weed to kill Fido. Like - a LOT of it. If you're not using commercial-sized equipment to make your CannaButter, then you're probably safe - although we don't recommend feeding it to your dog.
Can I put CannaButter in the Microwave?
We don't recommend making CannaButter in the microwave (we prefer our low and slow method), but you can put it in the microwave when you're using it in your cannabis edibles recipes.
How to Make Cannabis Butter (CannaButter) Recipe
I know that several of you prefer the full recipe card that you can print or share. If that's you, then here you go.
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How to Make Cannabis Butter (CannaButter): Recipe and Video
Once you've mastered how to make CannaButter, all of your Cannabis edibles recipes are a breeze. If you're looking for an easy way to make Cannabis Butter in the crockpot or slow cooker, then you're in the right place. This recipe also makes a delicious vegan CannaButter.
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Ingredients
- ½ ounce decarbed weed (Click here for instructions on how to decarb your weed.)
- 1 ¼ cups butter of your choice - including salted, unsalted, vegan, dairy-free
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- After cooking, strain the CannaButter in a french press to remove the marijuana.
- Pour into a container with a lid and refrigerate.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: CannaButter
- Method: Slow Cooker
Keywords: Cannabis Infused Butter, CannaButter, Weed Butter, Marijuana Butter, Cannabis Edibles Recipes
Want Help Confidently Cooking With Cannabis?
Download our free guide to getting started!
Find Recipes that Use CannaButter
Sara
I'm curious to try this, but I'm wondering about cutting the recipe in half.
Cannabis Spatula
That would be no problem. Just use 3/4 cup of the butter of your choice and 1/4 ounce of cannabis. Good luck!
Jess
Does the butter need to be cooled before putting through the press?
Cannabis Spatula
No. In fact, DON'T cool it first! You don't want it to harden.
Raletta
Can't get my butter to solidify.
Cannabis Spatula
Talk us through your process. Did you add water by chance?
Brittney
I’m having the same Issue. How did you get it to solidify? I didn’t add any water. I used vegan butter.
Cannabis Spatula
You want to let it cool fully. If it still isn't solid, refrigerate it. That should do the trick.
Greg
If your just using leaf and not bud do you still need to put in oven first
Cannabis Spatula
We still recommend decarbing it first. You just need to make sure that it's fully dried before starting the decarb process. You can see instructions here: https://cannabisspatula.com/decarboxylation-the-simple-way-to-decarb-your-weed
Anne
In a crockpot should I be cooking on low or keep warm option?
Cannabis Spatula
LOW.
alana
Can you add too much bud to canna butter?? Will it ruin it or would it just make it really strong. I don’t think i had enough butter
Cannabis Spatula
I don't know if I fully understand the question. If you add more, it will be more potent. You'll have to determine potency and taste. Sometimes if it's too strong, it really impacts the taste of your baked goods - vs just eating an extra cookie or brownie.
Abby
I am cooking up some butter now. Right before I actually read the recipe I had purchased a ton of margarine. Then found out I needed actual butter. Can I make a recipe with margarine for future use??
Cannabis Spatula
You can absolutely use margarine or any dairy-free butter of your choice!
Pj
How do I calculate the strength or MG?
Cannabis Spatula
It really depends on the strength of your cannabis. If you assume a 10% THC in your cannabis, then this recipe would be 85 mg of THC per ounce of butter.
Cannabis Spatula
We also just launched a free dosage calculator. You can see it here: https://cannabisspatula.com/cannabis-dosage-calculator-how-much-thc-is-in-my-edibles/
mike
Absolutely easy and awesome recipe, the only problem I have is....I haven't smoked 10% thc weed since high school and I graduated in '86! LOL this is a strong recipe, for you growers who get in the 20%'s I made brownies in a 9x9 glassware and cut them into 24 pieces, about the size of your index finger and they were still powerful! be careful and take a smaller than you think test sample and gauge it from there. Give it a good solid hour or more before you eat more! for reals!!!!
★★★★★
Lyssa
What would happen if i added an ounce of cooked weed instead of 1/2? Would it be twice as potent? Or would i need to double amount of butter?
Cannabis Spatula
It would be twice as potent.
Carolyn
Can you make canna butter or oil in a sous vide? Or would that be too low of a temperature?
Cannabis Spatula
You should be able to. You'll want to put the ingredients in a jar or bag (obviously) and set it to 185 degrees. We haven't done it ourselves, so no guarantee - but it should work.
Lindsay
This is by far the easiest, cleanest and most potent weed butter I’ve ever made. Don’t bother with the cheese cloth, this is so much better!
Christine Letendre
Hi do now know it your done... looks dark and burning only 3hrs 10min.
Cannabis Spatula
It will definitely be dark, but you don't want it to burn. If you notice a burning smell, give it a good stir and reduce the heat - or remove it from heat.
Christine Letendre
K turned off after 4 hrs went to bed. Looks like a drink. Can I put it back in the slow cooker?
Cannabis Spatula
You probably shouldn't need to. If it cooked for 4 hours, you should now be able to strain it and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will harden up.
Kbee
I’m going to half it again and use a 50 with 6 table spoons of butter for 1 brownie mix! Wish some luck first time with the slow cooker 🤣
Cannabis Spatula
Good luck!!
Anne
With this recipe, how many grams of cannabutter does that leave you with at the end of the day?
Cannabis Spatula
One cup or 128 grams.
Hannah
is there any way to shorten the cooking time? Like under 2 hours?
Cannabis Spatula
Sorry - it's a low and slow process.
Hannah
how long does the butter have to sit in the fridge
Cannabis Spatula
You'll want to keep it refrigerated until you use it all up. If you're asking how long until it hardens, it's just until it cools down. We like to let it sit overnight, but you can use it immediately after straining - it's just melted butter.
Malia
Do you just leave it loosely ground in the crock pot like your decarbing instructions say or am I supposed to grind it up more
Cannabis Spatula
Just leave it loosely ground.
kay
does this remove all the thc from mj? after straining, do you simply throw the pot away?
Cannabis Spatula
Yup. You can discard the leftovers.
Spence
Waste not want not. Go for it and eat the grounds.
Stormy
can i add sunflower lecithin to this?
will that change any of the amounts or the way it strains or sets up?
Cannabis Spatula
You can! Nothing changes, but you will have a larger batch of CannaButter at the end - and the THC will be more spread out within the batch - meaning you'll need to use a little more of the CannaButter to get our exact dosing.
Ruth Anne souliere
After decarbing can you jar your decarbed weed until you are ready to use it?
Cannabis Spatula
Yes! Just store in an airtight container in a cool, dark location (like the back of your kitchen cabinet) for up to 6 months.
Morgan Bryan
So if combining all ingredients in crock pot, then straining, will you need to separate water once it cools in fridge?
Cannabis Spatula
Nope. There shouldn't be any water after cooling.
Corinne
I’m making some right now and noticing it’s boiling on a low heat in the crockpot. I doubled the recipe and used an ounce of marijuana and 2.5 cups of butter. I stir about every 40 mins to an hour. Boiling doesn’t make it too hot and destroy the cannabinoids, does it?
Thank you!
Cannabis Spatula
Nope - you should be just fine!
Sam
How long can I store it in a fridge?
Cannabis Spatula
You should try to use it within a month if you're storing it in the fridge. If it's not all gone by then, toss it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Carlos A Nino
Regarding the 4 to 6 hours of heating time for the butter, is more time more effective in removing the THC from the flower for the butter or what is the criteria to deciding if we heat for 4 hours, 5 hours or 6?
Cannabis Spatula
You should have VERY similar results anywhere within the 4 to 6 hour range. Sometimes people forget about their crockpot, so the 6 hours is a max. We usually remove ours right at the 4 hour mark because we just can't wait. 🙂
Brittany
How do u make it in the microwave?
Cannabis Spatula
We don't recommend the microwave for making CannaButter.
Carla
Hi!
I was told to clarify the butter for baking or cooking with cannabutter.
How should I adjust my recipe (chocolate chip) ....I tried to use the cannabutter as is but my cookies came out like rocks?!
Cannabis Spatula
Hi Carla,
You would clarify the butter before you make CannaButter. So just substitute clarified butter for the regular butter in this recipe. Use your clarified CannaButter as a direct substitute in your cookie recipe.
Carmen
after straining, do you simply throw the pot away or can I use it for something else?
Cannabis Spatula
You actually can eat it or sprinkle it on your food - or use it to make things like massage oil and bath soaks. It doesn't taste great - just FYI. Do a quick google search on how to use your decarbed weed for more ideas.
Robin
How soon do you have to use the decades weed?
Can I decade one day then cook in crockpot next da y or few days?
Cannabis Spatula
As long as you store your decarbed weed in an airtight container, you can use it whenever you're ready. Days, weeks, months later. Enjoy!
jade
is it bad to add more sticks of butter halfway through the process? realized I counted wrong.
Cannabis Spatula
If you're more than halfway through the cooking process, I wouldn't. The other option would be a much more potent cannaButter. You can use less in your edibles. Just use our Free Dosage Calculator to determine proper dosing.
Joe Roga
So do you need to add any water to the crockpot, or just the butter and cannabis????
Cannabis Spatula
No water needed - just butter and decarbed cannabis.
keke
some recipes online have you adding water in the slow cooker with the decarbed nugs and butter but your recipe doesn't. is water necessary to add in the slow cooker? what difference in effects, if any, will there be with or without adding water?
Cannabis Spatula
Definitely no water needed!!
Carmen
Can I do this on the stove in a saucepan on low heat? I'm only making a small amount and I don't think it will have enough volume for the slow cooker.
Cannabis Spatula
Absolutely! Just stir every 20 minutes or so to prevent burning.
Angelo
Can the flower/buds (strained form) be used into food such as soups/stews after they have been used in the canna butter recipe?
Cannabis Spatula
If you want - but they have no THC / medicinal value after this process. So it wouldn't add value or taste.
Jack
I just put it in and forgot to set the timer and its been going for about 7 and a half hours. Can cannabutter burn? Is it still good?
I'm sorry.
Cannabis Spatula
It can burn, but it would be pretty obvious. As long as you had it on low, it should be just fine!
Elisha
How many batches of brownies (with box mixes- so only need 80g of butter per batch) does this butter recipe mix make?
I used 10g of 20% weed And 280g butter in the slow cooker snd only managed to
Get enough butter to make one batch of brownies?
Cannabis Spatula
It all depends on how much butter you start with.