Crockpot Cannabis Butter for Beginners

With the normalization of cannabis use ever on the rise amongst almost all demographics, cannabis-infused edibles provide an easy method of consumption for those who might not feel comfortable smoking, or prefer a more surreptitious way to experience the joys of cannabis. Edibles are typically made with cannabis-infused butter, which may sound daunting to make, but infused butter can actually be an incredibly simple way to add a little more baked to our favorite baked goods.

When one thinks of edibles, one probably thinks of the pot brownie some stoner teenager sold at a party all those years ago. For someone who has never attempted the fascinating but terrifying plunge into the green gourmet, the fear of making a mistake and wasting a huge amount of cannabis on marshmallow bars that barely produce a buzz can be daunting. Well, the need to fear those underwhelming entrees is gone. This guide was written for the cautious cannabis-lover ready to take a mind-blowing journey into the world of culinary cannabis

It’s important to come prepared when creating the perfect edible. The wrong dosage could leave one with a disappointing buzz or — even scarier — an overwhelming high. For this reason, we recommend using 10-15 grams of a favorite flower and testing the butter before using it in a recipe by taking a small spoonful and waiting for the effects to hit.

Nervous dosers can always check out a dosing chart like this one from Leafly.

Crockpot Cannabis Butter

For this recipe, we chose something even beginners will find easy. To infuse, simply take the cannabis and butter, toss them in a crockpot, and go.

Makes: roughly 1 pound of butter

Start to finish: 14-20 hours

Supplies:

• A crockpot
• 15 grams or 1 cup of cannabis
• 1 cup of water
• 1 pound unsalted butter
• Cheesecloth or metal strainer
• Glass jar for storage

Step One: Decarb the Cannabis

Decarboxylating your cannabis activates the THC by exposing the flower to heat. Begin by grinding the cannabis into small pieces, but not into a powder — the pieces should be big enough to strain out of the butter later. Line a baking sheet with tinfoil and spread the ground cannabis evenly before baking at 250 degrees for 45 minutes. When the tray is removed, the flower should be slightly browner than it was before being baked. 

Step Two: Add the Ingredients

Now that the cannabis is decarbed, the infusion process can begin. First, add the water into the crockpot. Keep on low until warm and then let simmer. Add the butter and cannabis. Let it simmer (some recommend keeping the temperature at 160 degrees by monitoring it with a thermometer) and cover.

Using a non-stick utensil like a silicone spatula, stir the butter and cannabis mixture occasionally and let it cook in the slow cooker for 12-18 hours depending on preferred potency. The more time the cannabis and the butter spend together in the crockpot, the more THC the butter will absorb, and the more potent the butter will be. 

Step Three: Strain the Butter

Once the butter is fully infused to your liking, remove it from the crockpot and strain the cannabis butter through a cheesecloth or strainer. We recommend straining the butter directly into a glass jar for easy storage and better flavor. 

Step Four: Refrigerate the Butter

Once your butter is strained, put the lid on your glass jar of cannabis-infused butter and refrigerate it. Once the butter hardens and separates from the water in about a day, dump the water for a smoother and tastier butter.

Step Five: Use the Butter

Congratulations! You’ve taken your first step into the world of culinary cannabis. Now the time has come to put that butter to use. Find a favorite baked good recipe, and substitute the butter with a special batch of cannabis butter. This works for almost anything — cookies, brownies, even Grandma’s old birthday cake recipe. Maybe you’ll find a new passion for baking and Grandma will have some kicked-up competition in the kitchen. 

When consuming homemade edibles, be mindful of dosage. Consume half of a normal serving and wait for the effects to begin before consuming the second half. While the baked goods might be delicious, too many can ruin a night and likely your desire to ever try edibles again.

This crockpot cannabis butter recipe is simple to use and easy to adapt to personal tastes and dosing preferences. The same techniques, with some alterations, can be used to infuse coconut oil, almond butter and more! The versatility of cannabis butter offers a fun way to add a kick to any beloved recipe and can offer a gentler, longer-lasting high than smoking flower or concentrates. We hope this guide isn’t the final stop on a gourmet journey, but just the beginning of an invigorating exploration into cooking with cannabis.

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The World’s an Oyster for Infused Edible Consumers