How to Make Cannabis Oil for Cooking

Cannabis oil for cooking has become increasingly popular among home chefs and cannabis enthusiasts alike. Infused oils are easy to make and great for anyone looking to elevate their culinary experiences with marijuana. 

With this simple weed oil recipe, you can adjust the strength to suit your personal preferences and dietary needs. This provides a tailored experience that leverages the potential health benefits and enjoyment of cannabis. Whether you’re aiming to incorporate cannabinoids into your recipes for their therapeutic properties or simply want to enhance your dishes with a unique flavor and effect, creating cannabis oil for cooking offers a rewarding and versatile addition to your kitchen. If you need a sweet infusion, check out our cannabis sugar recipe.

How to Make Weed Oil

If you’re wondering how to make canna oil, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started.

Tools & ingredients:

• Ground cannabis flower or shake
• Carrier oil
  • We recommend a high-quality carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil. When choosing your carrier, remember the quality of oil impacts the final product, affecting flavor, texture, and how well cannabinoids are absorbed.
• Baking sheet
• Double boiler or slow cooker
• Cheesecloth or fine strainer

Follow these steps:

Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is crucial for activating cannabinoids like THC and CBD in your cannabis. This process converts THCA and CBDA into their active forms. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat your oven to 245°F (118°C).
2. Prepare your ground cannabis by spreading it evenly on a baking sheet.
3. Place the sheet in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even heating.
4. Allow the cannabis to cool to room temperature for 15-20 minutes. 

Infusing the oil

Infusing decarboxylated cannabis into a carrier oil is a crucial step in extracting and activating cannabinoids like THC and CBD effectively. The process involves combining the cannabis with oil and heating it to allow the cannabinoids to transfer from the plant material into the oil. Here are three methods for infusing cannabis oil, each with its own set of advantages and drawbacks:

1. Double boiler
   • Combine the decarboxylated cannabis and carrier oil in the top part of the double boiler. Heat gently over simmering water.
   • Maintain and monitor the temperature between 160°F to 200°F (70°C to 93°C) and infuse for 2-4 hours.
     • Pros: Provides precise temperature control.
     • Cons: Requires more equipment.
2. Slow cooker
   • Add the cannabis and oil to the slow cooker. Set it to low.
   • Infuse for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
     • Pros: Convenient for long infusion times
     • Cons: Less control over temperature fluctuations.
3. Stovetop
   • Combine cannabis and oil in a saucepan. Heat gently
   • Keep the temperature at 160°F to 200°F (70°C to 93°C) and infuse for 1-2 hours, stirring frequently.
     • Pros: Simple and direct.
     • Cons: Requires careful monitoring to avoid overheating.

Pro tip: Always keep the heat low and stir occasionally to preserve cannabinoids.

Straining and storing your cannabis oil

1. Strain the oil
   • Use cheesecloth or a fine strainer to filter out the plant material from your cannabis-infused oil and strain the mixture. Press or squeeze the mixture to extract as much oil as possible.
2. Store the oil
   • Transfer the strained oil into a clean glass jar or bottle.
   • Store in a cool, dark place to maintain potency and freshness. Label the jar with the date, strain, and potency if known.

Cannabis Oil Benefits and Uses

Cannabis oil offers a wide range of health benefits, including its well-documented anti-inflammatory properties and potential to relieve pain and anxiety. The cannabinoids in cannabis oil, such as THC and CBD, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help reduce inflammation and provide relief from chronic pain and stress.

Cannabis oil stands out for its versatility in the kitchen. It can be used in a wide array of recipes to both enhance flavor and provide therapeutic effects. For instance, you can drizzle oil over salads as a zesty and healthful dressing or incorporate it into baked goods such as cookies and brownies to add a subtle, Earthy flavor.

Infused oil is great in sautéed dishes, soups, and sauces. Its ability to integrate with different types of dishes makes it a popular choice for those looking to infuse their meals.

One thing to keep in mind: It’s important to approach cooking with cannabis oil with a degree of caution. Starting with a small amount allows you to gauge its potency and adjust it according to your needs. This is crucial for anyone new to cannabis cooking, as the effects of cannabinoids can vary widely based on the strain and concentration used. Start with a conservative amount, then gradually find the right balance to achieve the desired effects without overwhelming your dishes.

Overall, whether you’re interested in exploring the health benefits of cannabinoids or simply experimenting with new flavors, cannabis oil offers a unique and advantageous addition to your cooking repertoire. Its ability to enhance both the therapeutic and culinary aspects of your meals makes it a versatile ingredient worth incorporating into your kitchen routine.

Tips for Cooking with Cannabis Oil

When using cannabis oil in cooking, it’s essential to keep a few practical tips in mind to maximize its benefits and flavor.

1. Avoid high heat.
   One of the most crucial aspects of cooking with cannabis oil is to avoid using high heat. Cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, are sensitive to temperature, and excessive heat can degrade these compounds, reducing their effectiveness. To preserve the therapeutic properties of your cannabis oil, use it in recipes that require low to moderate heat.For example, consider using cannabis oil in salad dressings, dips, or sauces added at the end of cooking. If you’re making baked goods or dishes that require higher temperatures, you can incorporate the oil into the batter or mixture just before baking to minimize heat exposure. This method helps ensure that the cannabinoids remain active and effective in your final product.
2. Combine with regular cooking oil.
   To manage the potency of your cannabis oil and adapt it to various recipes, consider blending it with a regular cooking oil. This approach not only helps in controlling the strength of the final product but also can help mellow out the cannabis flavor, making it more versatile for different types of dishes.
   For instance, if you have a potent cannabis oil, try mixing it with olive oil or coconut oil to dilute the concentration of cannabinoids. This allows for easier dosing and more even distribution of the cannabis oil throughout your recipes. Additionally, using a combination of oils can enhance the texture and flavor of your dishes, creating a more balanced and pleasant culinary experience.
3. Experiment with different strains and recipes.
   Cannabis strains vary widely in their flavors, aromas, and effects. Each strain has a unique profile that can significantly impact the flavor and therapeutic effects of your cannabis oil. Experimenting with different strains allows you to find the one that best suits your taste preferences and desired outcomes.
   For example, a fruity strain might complement sweet baked goods, while a more Earthy strain like OG Kush could enhance savory dishes. Similarly, trying out various recipes can help you discover how cannabis oil interacts with different ingredients and cooking methods. Keep notes on your experiments to refine your approach and develop recipes that consistently achieve the desired flavor and effect.
4. Grind the cannabis.
   To maximize the extraction of cannabinoids from your cannabis, it’s essential to grind your weed before infusing it into the oil.
   

   Freshly ground weed.

   Grinding increases the surface area of the cannabis, allowing more cannabinoids to be released into the oil during the infusion process. A fine or medium grind is typically best, as it helps ensure thorough extraction without leaving excessive plant material in the oil. This step not only improves the potency of your cannabis oil but also ensures a more consistent infusion, leading to better results in your cooking.

FAQ

What’s the best oil for making cannabis oil?

The best cooking oil for making cannabis oil can vary widely depending on your desired outcome for flavor and health benefits, and how you plan to use the final product. Popular options include coconut oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, MCT oil, and avocado oil.

For most users (including yours truly), coconut oil is the preferred carrier oil for its high fat content—which helps maximize cannabinoid extraction—and its versatility in various recipes. But if you’re looking for something with a different flavor profile or health benefits, you might want to consider olive oil or MCT oil.

What’s the best strain for weed oil?

At Humboldt Seed Company, we recommend OG Kush, Hella Jelly, or Sour Diesel, but any strain works—it’s up to the chef’s preference flavor-wise. 

Can you make canna oil from trim?

Yes! While trim generally has less potency compared to high-quality buds, it can still produce effective cannabis oil for cooking. Using trim is a cost-effective way to utilize all parts of the plant material and create a useful product for various applications.

How do you make weed oil more potent?

To make weed oil more potent, start by using high-THC cannabis strains or concentrates, which have a higher concentration of cannabinoids and will enhance the strength of the oil. You can also increase the ratio of cannabis to oil during the infusion process; a higher amount of cannabis relative to the oil will lead to a more concentrated final product. 

Make sure the infusion process is done at a controlled temperature to maximize cannabinoid extraction without degrading the compounds. Finally, allowing the oil to infuse for a longer period can also increase its potency, as this gives the cannabinoids more time to dissolve into the oil.

How long does it take to make canna oil?

Depending on the method you opt for, making cannabis oil can take anywhere between 2 and 6 hours. This includes time for decarboxylating the cannabis (about 30-40 minutes), followed by infusing the cannabis into oil (1-6 hours) at a low temperature.