In the world of cannabis, there are an endless amount of ways to consume your favourite products. Everyday, new products and consumption methods hit the market. But for those of us who love to cook with cannabis, options seem to be more limited. Fear not, that is why we are here to outline all the fundamentals you need in order to make your favourite meals a little more interesting! 

There are a few ways you can infuse your favourites with cannabis. Most commonly, cannabis tinctures and distillates, as well as cannabutter and other solvent-based extracts are used when cooking. Using these homemade and dispensary bought products will turn everything from baked goods to the highest cuisine that much better. For now, however, let’s talk a bit about how to make these infused, edible food enhancers.

Cannabutter is the most commonly used product when cooking with cannabis. Due to its simplicity and great taste, you can quite simply replace regular butter in any of your recipes with cannabutter. Be careful not to add too much, magic butter tends to be strong!

The Importance of Decarbing

soup in black ceramic bowl

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

First, you’ll want to decarboxylate your bud. Decarbing is the process needed to activate all those wonderful cannabinoids and make them consumable! You’ll want to mince your bud finely, spread it out evenly on an oven sheet, preheating your oven anywhere between 245 degrees fahrenheit to 350 degrees. Cooking at slower temperatures takes longer, but improves flavours, whereas higher temperatures are more time-effective yet lose their savouriness. Having baked your bud until it’s golden brown, mix it into your desired amount of melted butter, then let simmer for 2-3 hours. Lastly, strain your butter through a cheesecloth into a glass container and refrigerate your cannabutter. You can now add it to your favourite recipes!

Tinctures and Distillates

Another way to cook with cannabis is to either make or purchase tinctures and distillates. Less popular due to cost and time needed to make these products, they are nevertheless much more potent and easy to use. Since these products are already active and require no prep work, you can simply add them to any meal once the cooking process is complete! But if you wanted to give making your own tinctures a shot, here’s how!

Using an eighth of your chosen flower and a 750ml bottle of alcohol (preferably Everclear), decarb your flower, mix it with the alcohol in a jar and store it. Let it seep for a few weeks, check on it daily, and give it a vigorous shake. After a few weeks, strain it through a coffee filter and you now have a powerful cannabis tincture!

A Menu of Options!

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Now that you know how to make your own infused products, here’s a few recipes we think you’ll love!

If you’re a tea drinker, you’re going to love this Rose and Lavender infused tea. Infusing it with your tincture of choice, let it steep and be ready to enjoy your very special treat!

For those of us who prefer baked goods, these citrus-caramel blondies will absolutely blow you away. Simply toss in your homemade cannabutter and bake away!

If you feel like having a more intimate date night, or just feel like treating yourself, give this cannabis infused gnocchi recipe a shot! After all, who doesn’t love a good pasta dish?

Feel like having a childhood snack? Try these cannabis Cheeze-Its! This cheesy, salty snack will surely leave any consumer with a cheesy smile on their face.

These are but a few recipes you can try when cooking with cannabis. Truthfully, you can add your infused products to just about any recipe and turn it into a delightful edible.