How to Make Cannabutter: Easy Step-by-Step Recipe (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

October 23, 2026 Bianca 0 Comments

There’s something cozy about making things from scratch, and for a lot of cannamoms, that includes homemade cannabutter. It’s the base for brownies, cookies, and even a swipe on morning toast (for grown-ups only, of course). But if you’ve never made it, the process can feel a little intimidating.

I’m Bianca, and in this guide I’ll walk you through how to make cannabutter step by step: the two methods that work best (stovetop and slow cooker), how much flower to use, how to strain and store it, and, most importantly, how to keep homemade edibles gentle and safe.

The short answer: to make cannabutter, first decarboxylate your flower by baking it at about 240°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Then simmer it gently with butter and a little water on very low heat for 2 to 3 hours, keeping it below a simmer. Strain out the plant material, chill the butter, and pour off the water. Start with a small amount of flower (like 3.5 to 7 grams per cup of butter), label it clearly, and always try a tiny amount first, because homemade potency is hard to predict.

Prefer to skip the guesswork? Pre-dosed gummies like Society’s Plant’s High Spirits Microdose gummies list exactly how much THC is in each piece, which is much easier to control than homemade edibles.

What You’ll Need

Cannabis flower: about 3.5 to 7 grams for a gentle batch (1 cup of butter). Here’s a quick refresher on how many grams are in an ounce.
Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks).
Water: 1 cup. It helps keep the butter from scorching.
Baking sheet and parchment paper for decarbing.
Saucepan or slow cooker.
Cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
A glass container with a lid for storing.
A kitchen thermometer (very helpful, not required).

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Flower

This is the step most beginners skip, and it’s the reason so many homemade edibles “don’t work.” Raw cannabis contains THCA, which won’t get you high. Gentle heat turns THCA into THC. My full guide on decarboxylated weed explains the science, but here’s the simple version:

Preheat your oven to about 240°F (115°C).
Break the flower into small pieces (not a fine powder) and spread it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, gently shaking the tray halfway through.
It’s ready when it looks light golden-brown and feels dry and crumbly.

Expect a smell. Open a window, run the fan, and check out my tips on how to get rid of weed smell.

Step 2: Infuse (Stovetop Method)

In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter with 1 cup of water over low heat.
Add your decarbed flower and stir.
Keep the heat very low, ideally between 160°F and 200°F. It should never boil or fully simmer. Small bubbles are okay.
Let it infuse for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every 20 to 30 minutes. Add a splash of water if it gets low.

Step 2 (Alternative): Slow Cooker Method

A slow cooker is great for busy moms because it’s mostly hands-off.

Add butter, water, and decarbed flower to the slow cooker.
Set it to LOW and let it infuse for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Keep the lid on to reduce smell, and check that it isn’t bubbling hard.

Step 3: Strain

Place cheesecloth or a fine strainer over a bowl or glass container.
Pour the mixture through slowly.
Let it drain on its own. Squeezing the cheesecloth hard pushes more plant material through and can make the butter taste grassy.
Discard the plant material.

Step 4: Chill and Separate

Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
The butter will harden on top, and the water will sit underneath.
Lift or pry off the solid butter and pour out the water.
Pat the butter dry and store it in a clean, labeled container.

How Strong Will My Cannabutter Be?

This is the honest truth: homemade cannabutter strength is hard to predict. It depends on the THC in your flower, how well you decarbed it, how long you infused it, and how evenly you mix it into recipes. Even two batches made the same way can differ.

That’s why it’s best to start with less flower, make small recipes, and test before you share. If you want a rough estimate, labs and calculators use this idea: flower that’s 15% THC contains about 150mg of THC per gram, but you’ll lose some during decarbing and infusion. Treat any estimate as a rough guess, not a promise, and test slowly.

How to Test Your Cannabutter Safely

Start tiny. Try about 1/4 teaspoon on a cracker or piece of toast.
Wait at least 2 hours. Edibles kick in slowly. Here’s how long edibles take to kick in.
Test on a calm evening at home, with no plans and another adult on kid duty.
Write down how you felt so you know how much to use next time.
Remember edibles last a long time, often 6 to 8 hours. My guide on how long a high lasts breaks it down.

If you take too much, my guide on how to come down from a high has calming tips.

Tips for Better Cannabutter

Don’t grind too fine. A coarse break-up keeps the butter cleaner and less grassy.
Keep the heat low. High heat can damage THC and burn the butter.
Use unsalted butter so you can control salt in recipes.
Try ghee or coconut oil if you want something more shelf-stable or dairy-free.
Mix well into recipes so every piece has a similar amount.

How to Store Cannabutter

Refrigerator: in an airtight container for up to about 2 weeks.
Freezer: wrapped well for up to about 6 months. Freezing in an ice cube tray makes small portions easy.
Label everything clearly with “THC,” the date, and “adults only.”
Store it locked or out of reach. Cannabutter looks exactly like regular butter, which is the biggest safety risk in a home with kids.

Easy Ways to Use Cannabutter

Baked goods: brownies, cookies, or muffins. Replace only part of the regular butter so pieces stay mild.
Toast or crackers: the simplest way to control a small amount.
Savory dishes: a little stirred into pasta or rice (keep the heat low when reheating).

Whatever you make, cut it into small, even pieces and label it.

Safety Notes for Moms

Kids and pets first. Edibles look like normal food. Keep them locked away, clearly labeled, and never make them when little ones can help themselves. If a child eats any, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 right away.
Don’t drive or care for young kids alone while feeling the effects.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
Know your state’s rules for growing, buying, and using cannabis. Adults 21+ only.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make cannabutter?

Decarb your flower at about 240°F for 30 to 40 minutes, simmer it gently with butter and water on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, strain it, chill it, and pour off the water.

Do you have to decarb weed before making cannabutter?

Yes, for the best results. Decarbing turns THCA into THC. Without it, your butter will be much weaker.

How much weed do I use for 1 cup of butter?

For a gentle batch, many people start with about 3.5 to 7 grams per cup. More flower makes stronger butter, which is harder to dose.

Can you make cannabutter in a slow cooker?

Yes. Set it to low for 3 to 4 hours with butter, water, and decarbed flower, then strain and chill.

Can you make cannabutter with shake?

Yes. Shake (small leftover bits) works fine for cannabutter. It’s often less potent than buds, so your butter may be milder.

How long does cannabutter last?

About 2 weeks in the fridge and up to about 6 months in the freezer.

Why didn’t my cannabutter work?

The most common reasons are skipping the decarb step, using too much heat, using low-potency flower, or not waiting long enough for the edible to kick in.

The Bottom Line

Making cannabutter is easy once you know the steps: decarb, infuse low and slow, strain, chill, and store. The trickiest part is potency, so start with a small batch, test a tiny amount, wait, and label everything clearly. And if you’d rather skip the math entirely, a pre-dosed, low-dose gummy is always an easy option.

Keep Reading

This article is for general information only and isn’t medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor before using cannabis or hemp products, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Cannabis and hemp THC products are for adults 21+ and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. High Society Mama is affiliated with Society’s Plant.