The days of only "pot brownies" are long gone! Infusing cannabis into your favorite dishes has evolved into a sophisticated culinary art. Cooking with cannabis allows for precise dosing, discreet consumption, and a delightful way to elevate your dining experience. If you've been curious about venturing into the world of edibles beyond the dispensary counter, you've come to the right place.
At DEADLY NUGS, we're all about elevating every aspect of your cannabis journey. Today, we'll guide you through simple, beginner-friendly recipes to infuse your own cannabis staples, opening up a world of culinary possibilities.
Before You Begin: The Golden Rules of Cannabis Cuisine
1. Decarboxylation is Key (Decarb Your Weed!): This is the most crucial step! Raw cannabis contains cannabinoids in their acidic form (e.g., THCA, CBDA), which are non-psychoactive. Heating the cannabis activates these compounds, converting THCA to THC and CBDA to CBD.
- How to Decarb: Grind your cannabis flower coarsely (don't powder it). Spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 240°F (115°C) for 30-40 minutes. It should look lightly toasted and crumbly.
- Why: Without decarboxylation, your edibles won't have the desired effects.
2. Fat is Your Friend: Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, meaning they bind to fats. This is why most infused recipes use butter or oil as the infusion medium. Don't try to infuse cannabis into water!
3. Start Low, Go Slow (Again!): We can't stress this enough, especially with edibles. Begin with a very small dose (e.g., 2.5mg - 5mg THC) and wait at least 1-2 hours before considering more. Effects can take a while to kick in and last much longer than smoking.
4. Know Your Potency: Calculate the approximate potency of your infused butter/oil based on the THC/CBD percentage of your starting cannabis. Many online calculators can help with this, but always lean on the side of caution for your first few batches.
5. Label Everything Clearly: Infused items look and smell like regular food. Label your creations clearly and keep them out of reach of children and unsuspecting adults.
Your Essential Cannabis Infusion Staples:
These are the building blocks for countless recipes!
1. Cannabutter (Cannabis-Infused Butter)
The ultimate versatile ingredient for baking, spreading, or sautéing.
What you'll need:
- 7 to 14 grams (1/4 to 1/2 oz) decarboxylated cannabis flower
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup water (optional, helps prevent burning)
- Saucepan or slow cooker
- Cheesecloth and strainer
Instructions:
1. Decarb your cannabis (as described above).
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter with the optional water over low heat. The water helps regulate temperature.
3. Add the decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter.
4. Simmer on very low heat (do NOT boil!) for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally. The mixture should barely bubble. Keep the temperature around 160-200°F (70-95°C).
5. Strain the butter through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a heat-safe container, squeezing out all the butter from the plant material. Discard the plant matter.
6. Refrigerate until solidified. Any separated water can be drained off. Store in the fridge for a few weeks, or freeze for longer.
2. Canna-Oil (Cannabis-Infused Oil - Coconut or Olive Oil)
Great for savory dishes, salad dressings, or lighter baked goods. Coconut oil is excellent due to its high fat content.
What you'll need:
- 7 to 14 grams (1/4 to 1/2 oz) decarboxylated cannabis flower
- 1 cup coconut oil or olive oil
- Saucepan, slow cooker, or double boiler
- Cheesecloth and strainer
Instructions:
1. Decarb your cannabis.
2. Combine decarbed cannabis and oil in your chosen vessel.
3. Simmer on very low heat for 2-4 hours, maintaining a temperature between 160-200°F (70-95°C). Stir occasionally.
4. Strain the oil through cheesecloth into a container. Store in a cool, dark place. Coconut oil will solidify at room temp; olive oil will remain liquid.
Simple Recipes to Get You Started:
Once you have your cannabutter or canna-oil, the possibilities are endless!
1. Elevated Toast
- Ingredients: Your favorite bread, cannabutter or canna-oil, jam, avocado, or whatever toppings you love.
- Method: Toast bread. Spread a very small amount of cannabutter or drizzle canna-oil. Add your favorite toppings.
- Dosing Tip: This is great for microdosing! Start with a tiny smear of butter or a few drops of oil.
2. Infused Popcorn
- Ingredients: Air-popped popcorn, melted cannabutter.
- Method: Pop your popcorn. Drizzle a small amount of melted cannabutter over the popcorn and toss well to coat. Add salt to taste.
- Dosing Tip: Easy to control based on how much butter you use.
3. Herbal Infused Oil for Salad Dressing
- Ingredients: Canna-oil (olive oil version preferred), balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, herbs.
- Method: Whisk together. Use on salads, or as a dipping oil for bread.
- Dosing Tip: Start with a very small amount in your dressing.
4. Instant Pot Brownies/Cookies (Using a Box Mix)
- Ingredients: Your favorite brownie or cookie box mix, and your prepared cannabutter or canna-oil.
- Method: Simply substitute the butter or oil called for in the box mix instructions with your infused version.
- Dosing Tip: This is where precise calculation is key! If your mix makes 12 brownies and you used 100mg of THC in your butter, each brownie would theoretically be ~8.3mg. Cut into smaller pieces for lower doses.
Cooking with cannabis is a rewarding experience that puts you in control of your dose and ingredients. Remember to be patient, experiment with care, and always prioritize safety. Happy infusing!
What's the first cannabis-infused dish you're excited to try making? Let us know in the comments!