Secret Vegan Cannabutter Recipe: 4 Methods

If you’re looking for the perfect vegan cannabutter recipe, coconut oil is hands-down the best fat for the job. Not only is it dairy-free, but it also contains more medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) than butter or olive oil, making it a cannabinoid powerhouse.

Whether you’re a home cook experimenting with THC-infused recipes or a medical cannabis patient looking for a precise and reliable infusion method, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—including making cannabutter with a step-by-step guide that covers decarboxylation, ingredient ratios, and practical tips for success—along with dosing, cooking methods, and storage.

Introduction to Vegan Cannabutter

Vegan cannabutter is a plant-based twist on traditional cannabis-infused butter, crafted by blending coconut oil or other vegan-friendly oils with decarbed cannabis flower. This approach is perfect for anyone seeking cannabis edibles that fit a vegan lifestyle or those with dairy sensitivities.

Thanks to the high fat content of coconut oil, vegan cannabutter delivers a delicious, potent infusion that works beautifully in a variety of recipes.

By following a basic cannabutter recipe and swapping out regular butter for coconut oil, you can easily create infused butter using a slow cooker or double boiler to regulate temperature and preserve the delicate flavor and potency of your cannabis.

Whether you’re new to making edibles or a seasoned pro, vegan cannabutter opens up a world of delicious, plant-based cannabis-infused treats.

Cannabis Edibles Benefits

Cannabis edibles offer a discreet and smoke-free way to enjoy the effects of cannabis, with the added bonus of longer-lasting results compared to inhalation.

By using cannabis infused butter, coconut oil, or olive oil, you can create a wide range of cannabis edibles, from classic brownies and cookies to inventive new recipes.

Infused butter and oil make it easy to incorporate cannabis into your favorite baking projects, resulting in delicious treats that are both enjoyable and effective.

Edibles are also popular among medical cannabis users for their ability to help manage chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Remember, the effects of edibles can take a few hours to kick in, so always start with a low dose and wait before consuming more to ensure a positive experience.

Why Coconut Oil is the Best Vegan Cannabutter Substitute

While traditional cannabutter is made with dairy butter, coconut oil has several distinct advantages for cannabis infusion. Compared to unsalted butter, which is often preferred for its clean flavor and precise control over potency, coconut oil offers a plant-based alternative ideal for vegan cannabutter.

Unlike vegetable oil, which is also used for its stable and liquid properties and versatility in making edibles, coconut oil provides a unique flavor and a higher saturated fat content, enhancing cannabinoid infusion quality.

1. Superior Fat Profile for Cannabinoid Binding

• THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are fat-soluble, meaning they bind to fat molecules.
• Coconut oil is about 90% saturated fat—higher than most cooking oils—allowing for maximum cannabinoid absorption.

1. Vegan and Allergy-Friendly

• 100% plant-based, making it suitable for vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and keto diets.
• No lactose, making it ideal for people with dairy allergies.

1. High Heat Stability

• Coconut oil has a smoke point of ~350°F (177°C), making it safe for baking and light sautéing without significant cannabinoid loss.

1. Versatility

• Works in sweet treats, savory dishes, smoothies, and even beverages like bulletproof coffee.

The Science: Why Decarboxylation Matters

If you were to sprinkle raw cannabis directly into your coconut oil without heating it first, you’d end up with an infusion that’s weak or non-psychoactive. That’s because THCA and CBDA—the natural acidic forms of THC and CBD—must be converted into active THC and CBD through a process called decarboxylation.

A common method is to use an oven to decarboxylate cannabis at a low temperature, which ensures gentle heat activates cannabinoids without degrading them.

Decarboxylation Basics:

• THCA → THC (psychoactive)
• CBDA → CBD (non-intoxicating but therapeutic)
• Requires low heat over time to preserve potency and flavor.

Optimal Decarboxylation Temperature:

• 245°F (118°C) for 30–40 minutes (grind coarsely for even heat distribution).

Ingredients & Equipment List

Ingredients:

• 1 cup organic coconut oil (eight tablespoons; refined for neutral taste, unrefined for coconut flavor)
• 7–14 grams cannabis flower (choose THC or CBD strains depending on desired effects)

Equipment:

• Baking sheet & parchment paper
• Cannabis grinder
• Precision kitchen scale
• Mixing bowl
• Saucepan, slow cooker, Instant Pot, or double boiler
• Candy thermometer
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Airtight jar for storage

If you're new to cannabis, check out the Ultimate Guide to Weed Measurements and Costs to learn about buying, cooking, and consuming with confidence.

How to Calculate Potency

Before you begin, decide on your desired potency. You can adjust the strength of your cannabutter by using more or less ground flower in the infusion—the amount of ground flower you use directly affects the final THC content. Here’s a simple formula:

Potency (mg THC per teaspoon) = [Cannabis weight in grams × THC% × 1000] ÷ (Total teaspoons of oil)

Example:

• 10g cannabis at 18% THC = 1,800 mg THC total.
• 1 cup oil = 48 teaspoons.
• 1,800 ÷ 48 = 37.5 mg THC per teaspoon.

Pro Tip: Use a THC calculator for accuracy—especially if you’re dosing for medical use.

Step-by-Step Infusion Methods

1. Stovetop Method

• Pros: Affordable, accessible.
• Cons: Requires close monitoring.

1. Decarboxylate cannabis.
2. Melt coconut oil in saucepan over low heat.
3. Add cannabis and maintain 180–200°F for 4–6 hours.
4. Stir occasionally, avoiding boiling.

2. Slow Cooker Method

• Pros: Hands-off, low risk of overheating.
• Cons: Takes longer.

1. Combine decarbed cannabis and oil in mason jar or directly in slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6–8 hours.

3. Double Boiler Method

• Pros: Even heat distribution.
• Cons: Slightly more setup.

1. Place oil + cannabis in top pot, water in bottom pot.
2. Simmer water gently for 6–8 hours.

4. Instant Pot Method

• Pros: Fast, odor-controlled.
• Cons: Requires familiarity with appliance.

1. Combine cannabis and oil in mason jar.
2. Add to Instant Pot with water.
3. Set to “Slow Cook” for 4 hours.

Straining & Storage

1. Let mixture cool slightly.
2. Pour through cheesecloth or mesh strainer into glass jar.
3. Squeeze or press solids to extract remaining oil (the solids are the plant material; thorough pressing ensures maximum oil extraction from the plant material).
4. Store in fridge (up to 6 months) or freezer (1 year).

Safety Precautions

When making edibles with cannabis flower, safety should always come first. Handle raw cannabis carefully and use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper during decarboxylation to keep your workspace clean and efficient.

Always use proper equipment, such as a slow cooker or double boiler, to regulate temperature and avoid burning your infusion, which can impact both potency and taste. Store your finished edibles in a secure location, out of reach of children and pets, and be mindful of your local laws regarding cannabis use.

Responsible consumption is key—start with a small amount, as the effects of edibles can be unpredictable and vary from person to person. For more guidance, see dosage rules for cannabis edibles. By following these precautions, you can enjoy the process of making edibles safely and confidently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping decarboxylation → Weak potency.
• Overheating oil → Destroys cannabinoids & terpenes.
• Cooking past a certain point → Cooking the infusion beyond a certain point will not increase potency and may result in undesirable flavors.
• Grinding too fine → Makes straining difficult and can cause chlorophyll bitterness.
• Not measuring dosage → Inconsistent potency.

Best Cannabis Strains for Vegan Cannabutter

• High-THC (strong psychoactive effect): Girl Scout Cookies, OG Kush, Gorilla Glue #4.
• Balanced THC/CBD (milder high): Cannatonic, Harlequin.
• High-CBD (therapeutic, no high): Charlotte’s Web, ACDC.

Using higher quality cannabis will result in more potent and consistent vegan cannabutter.

How to Use Your Vegan Cannabutter

• Baking: Brownies, cookies, cakes.
• Cooking: Stir into pasta, sauté vegetables, blend into curry.
• Beverages: Add to coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
• Raw Uses: Spread on toast, blend into salad dressings.

For a classic cookie recipe, use vegan cannabutter in place of regular butter. Combine it with flour, sugar, baking soda, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt for the dough. Melted butter (or melted vegan cannabutter) is often used to achieve the right texture before you bake the cookies.

Vegan cannabutter also works well in savory recipes—try adding a splash of lemon juice to enhance the flavor of certain dishes.

Cannabis Infused Products

Cannabis-infused products like cannabutter, coconut oil, and olive oil have become staples for anyone interested in homemade edibles. These versatile infusions can be used in everything from weed butter brownies and chocolate chip cookies to savory salad dressings and stir-fries.

Making your own edibles at home gives you full control over the potency, flavor, and ingredients, allowing you to tailor each recipe to your preferences.

Whether you’re baking up a batch of classic brownies or experimenting with cannabis-infused salad dressings, these products make it easy to enjoy delicious, potent edibles. With a little creativity, you can transform everyday recipes into cannabis-infused delights, expanding your culinary horizons and elevating your cannabis experience.

FAQ's About Cannabutter

Pro Tips for Next-Level Infusions

• Add Lecithin: 1 tsp per cup of oil for better cannabinoid absorption.
• Pair with Terpene-Rich Strains: Preserves aroma and therapeutic benefits. Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the unique flavor and aroma of cannabis, so preserving them during infusion enhances the final product. Learn more about THC tincture benefits.
• Infuse in Small Batches: Keeps potency fresher and flavor better.

Interesting Facts About Cannabis Butter (Cannabutter)

-The first step in preparing cannabis for edibles is to activate it through decarboxylation.

-Butter is an ideal medium for cannabis infusion because THC needs to bind to fat molecules.

-Infusing fat with cannabis extracts cannabinoids and terpenes with time and heat.

-The infusion process for cannabutter typically takes a few hours and should maintain a temperature between 160°F and 200°F.

-Infused butters and fats can last a couple of months in the fridge.

-Brownies are a popular and iconic cannabutter treat due to their rich flavors that mask taste of cannabis.

-The infusion process for cannabutter typically takes 2 to 4 hours on the stovetop.

-The infusion process for cannabutter typically takes 2 to 4 hours on the stovetop.

-The effects of edibles can take 45-90 minutes to kick in after consumption.

-Homemade edibles can vary in potency due to differences in cannabis strain and preparation.

-A common starting dose for homemade edibles is 5 to 10 mg of THC per serving.

-Infused fats like cannabutter can last a couple of months in the fridge and longer in the freezer.

-To determine the dosage of homemade edibles, measure the THC content of the cannabis used and calculate based on the amount infused.

Final Thoughts

Making vegan cannabutter with coconut oil at home is one of the easiest, most rewarding ways to enjoy cannabis edibles while keeping your recipes plant-based, and it's a great entry point for those interested in diy edibles.

By following precise temperatures, calculating potency, and storing properly, you’ll always have a reliable infusion on hand for cooking, baking, or medicinal use.

Vegan cannabutter can also be used to create low key cannabis-infused treats, perfect for those who prefer a more subtle experience.

For expert-level cannabis cooking tutorials and certifications, visit Cannabis Training University (CTU) and turn your passion into a professional skill.