The Ultimate Cannabutter Recipe: Potency, Ratios & Step-By-Step Guide

December 4, 2025

What Is Cannabutter?

“Cannabutter” refers to butter (or sometimes another fat like oil) that has been infused with cannabinoids — primarily THC and/or CBD — by combining butter and cannabis (typically flower) in a way that allows the active compounds to bind to the fat. Once prepared, cannabutter can be used in cooking or baking to make edibles (cookies, brownies, sauces, savory dishes, etc.) that deliver the effects of cannabis when eaten. Leafly+2THC Physicians+2

The key to making effective cannabutter is a process called decarboxylation — a gentle heating step that converts inactive cannabinoid-acids (like THCA) into active THC (or similarly for CBD). Without decarboxylation, the butter will be largely non-psychoactive or ineffective. Leafly+2Budora+2

Because butter (fat) can successfully absorb and hold cannabinoids, it becomes a versatile base: you can bake sweets, cook savory dishes, or make sauces — wherever regular butter would go. Edibles Dosage Calculator+2Leafly+2

How to Make Cannabutter – Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a commonly used, reliable method to make cannabutter at home (with standard kitchen equipment).

Ingredients & Tools

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

  1. Preheat your oven to about 240 °F (≈ 115 °C). Green Society+2Budora+2

  2. Break up the cannabis buds into smallish pieces (don’t grind too fine — fine dust can slip through filters later). Leafly+2Budora+2

  3. Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for around 30–40 minutes, stirring gently every 10 minutes to ensure even decarboxylation. Budora+2Leafly+2

  4. Once done, the color will shift (from vibrant green toward deeper green/brownish). Let it cool. Leafly+2Budora+2

This step “activates” cannabinoids (THCA → THC, CBDA → CBD), making them psychoactive/usable. Leafly+2Ed Rosenthal+2

Step 2: Infuse Butter with Decarbed Cannabis

  1. In a saucepan or double boiler, add your butter (e.g. 1 cup unsalted butter) and optionally about ½–1 cup water (to help control temperature and prevent burning). Heat over low heat until butter melts. Edibles Dosage Calculator+2THC Physicians+2

  2. Add the decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter. Stir gently to combine. THC Physicians+2Edibles Dosage Calculator+2

  3. Maintain a low simmer, keeping temperature in the 160–180 °F (≈70–80 °C) range. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil. THC Physicians+2Edibles Dosage Calculator+2

  4. Once infusion is complete, remove from heat. Prepare to strain. THC Physicians+2Budora+2

Step 3: Strain & Store

  1. Place cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or jar. Pour the butter-cannabis mixture through the strainer to remove all plant material. Budora+2Edibles Dosage Calculator+2

  2. Gently squeeze (if using cheesecloth) to extract as much infused butter as possible — but avoid pressing too hard (which can add bitter chlorophyll). Edibles Dosage Calculator+1

  3. Let the strained butter sit at room temperature or in the fridge until it solidifies. The leftover water (if used) will separate; discard it and keep the solid butter. Edibles Dosage Calculator+1

  4. Store the cannabutter in an airtight container. In general: a few weeks in the fridge, or several months if frozen (depending on conditions). Budora+2Greenlight Cannabis Doctors+2

How to Control Potency & Dose — Estimating THC per Serving

One of the most important parts of making cannabutter is estimating its potency and dosing carefully. Because homemade edibles can vary widely, treat every batch like a new experiment.

Here’s a common method to estimate potency (mg THC per serving) for your homemade cannabutter: Green Bee+2Cannabis Training University+2

Basic estimation formula:

Total THC (mg) ≈ grams of cannabis × THC% × 1000

Then adjust for infusion efficiency (commonly assume 70-80% yield) and divide by volume (or servings). Cannabis Training University+2Flavor365+2

Example (rough):

Because homemade potency is approximate, “start low, go slow” is the accepted rule. Many experts recommend starting with ¼–½ teaspoon of cannabutter (on a cracker, toast, or light food) and waiting 1–2 hours before consuming more. Edibles Dosage Calculator+2Leafly+2

If you’re making edibles (cookies, brownies, etc.), do the math: figure out how much cannabutter is used in the recipe, divide by number of servings, and you get a ballpark THC per serving. Grow Cannabis School+2Greenlight Cannabis Doctors+2

Tips to control potency carefully:

Why Decarb + Low Heat Matters

  • Without decarboxylation, cannabinoids remain mostly in their acidic, inactive form (e.g. THCA), producing little to no psychoactive effect. Leafly+1

  • High heat during infusion or baking can degrade cannabinoids (or evaporate them), reducing potency — that’s why infusion is done slowly and at low temperatures (e.g., 160–180 °F) and never boiling. THC Physicians+2Edibles Dosage Calculator+2

  • Slow, low-temperature infusion helps cannabinoids bind to the fat while preserving flavor (terpenes) and maximizing usable potency. Ed Rosenthal+2Leafly+2

Safety Notes & Responsible Use

  • Effects from edibles (food with cannabis) take much longer to onset (often 30 minutes to 2 hours, sometimes more) — resist the urge to “take more” too soon. Flavor365+2Greenlight Cannabis Doctors+2

  • Keep edibles (and cannabutter) clearly labeled, and out of reach of children, pets, or anyone who should not consume cannabis. Greenlight Cannabis Doctors+1

  • Start with low doses (microdose or mild) until you know how the infusion affects you — especially if you’re inexperienced. Cannabis Training University+1

  • Store cannabutter properly (airtight container, fridge or freezer) to preserve potency and prevent spoilage. Budora+2THC Physicians+2

Summary — What You’ve Learned

Cannabutter is a simple, versatile butter (or fat) infused with cannabis cannabinoids, enabling you to cook or bake edibles at home. The process hinges on decarboxylation (to activate the cannabinoids) and a slow, low-heat infusion so that the active compounds bind to the fat without being destroyed. By estimating potency using the weight and THC percentage of your cannabis — and by measuring carefully — you can create cannabis-infused butter with a fairly predictable strength. Finally, responsible dosing (“start low, go slow”), proper labeling, and safe storage are essential for a good and controlled edible experience.

Sources & Further Reading

  • “Cannabutter Recipe 2025: Classic Recipe + Variations & Tips” — GreenBeeLife guide to butter ratios, potency calculations, and beginner guidelines. Green Bee

  • “No Bake Edibles Using Cannabutter: Easy Recipes & Tips” — Walk-through of potency calculation, cooking tips, and dosing guidelines. Cannabis Training University

  • “How to Make Cannabis-Infused Butter and Oil for Cooking and Baking” — EatingWell’s comprehensive guide to infusion, straining, storage, and dosing. Leafly+2Edibles Dosage Calculator+2

  • “How to Make Butter from Cannabis: A Step-by-Step Guide” — Description of decarboxylation, infusion, straining, and storage best practices. Budora+1

  • “Cannabis Edibles Guide” — Overview of dosing, potency estimation, and advice for safe homemade edibles. Greenlight Cannabis Doctors+1