How to make the best cannabis edibles at home
Article written by
April AcernoContent Writer
Making your own cannabis edibles can be a fun, cost-effective way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis on your own terms. Compared to pre-made edibles you can find at a dispensary, a DIY approach gives you more control over their:
- Flavor
- Ingredients
- Cannabis strain
- Dosage
It can take some trial and error to find which recipes and dosage amounts work best for your needs. That said, this beginner-friendly guide will cover the basics to help you start making cannabis edibles at home.
1. Choose your cannabis product
When making edibles, it’s important to use high-quality cannabis purchased from a licensed dispensary. Otherwise, you may not get the full desired effects.
Also consider the strain of cannabis you’re using to make edibles. Each cannabis strain has a unique cannabinoid and terpene profile that affects how it can make you feel. For example, certain strains may make you feel energized, while others can make you feel sleepy.
Making edibles with flower
Many people prefer to make edibles with cannabis flower. That’s because it comes in a wide variety of strains, and is relatively easy to work with.
For the best results, use cannabis flower that you’ve purchased within the last couple of months to ensure peak potency.
For most edible recipes, you won’t need more than 3.5 grams (g) of cannabis flower.
Using cannabis oil as an alternative
If you’d like, you can use cannabis oil in place of cannabis flower when making edibles. Cannabis oil is an extract of cannabis flower diluted in a carrier oil, and can be found in most dispensaries.
If you prefer to use cannabis oil, you’ll want to consider:
- The strength of the oil, meaning how many milligrams (mg) of cannabis extract are in the bottle
- The carrier oil used, and how it may impact the flavor of your edibles
2. Decarboxylate your cannabis
Before you can cook with cannabis flower, you need to decarboxylate it. This is a process in which raw cannabis is heated to activate the plant’s cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Follow these steps to decarboxylate your flower:
- Preheat your oven to 220°F to 250°F (105°C to 120°C).
- Break up your cannabis flower into small pieces.
- Lay the pieces evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, rearranging the pieces every 10 minutes.
If you’re using cannabis oil that you’ve purchased from a dispensary to make your edibles, you can skip this step. Cannabis oil has already been decarboxylated.
3. Make your cannabis-infused fat
Making edibles requires that you infuse decarboxylated cannabis flower into a fat. Popular options for making edibles include:
Choose a fat based on your preferences. Keep in mind that olive oil may work better in a savory recipe, while butter or coconut oil are often ideal for sweet recipes.
It’s generally recommended to use 1/2 cup fat for every 3.5 g of cannabis flower.
Several popular methods are available for infusing cannabis flower into a fat, including the double boiler method or a crockpot. Whichever option you choose, make sure that the temperature of the fat never exceeds 250°F (120°C), or else it can scorch your cannabis flower.
The method you use will determine how long it takes for the cannabis to properly infuse into the fat. Using a double boiler can take about 3 hours, while a crockpot can take 4 to 6 hours.
Once you’ve created your cannabis oil or butter, strain it into a jar or container and allow it to cool before closing the lid.
4. Calculate the dosage of your cannabis edibles
Making edibles at home requires you to determine the dose of each serving.
Most recipes yield several servings. In these cases, multiply your desired dose by the number of servings. For example, if you want to make brownies that contain 10 mg of THC per piece, and the recipe yields eight servings, you’ll want to add 80 mg of THC to the batter.
With Leafwell’s recipe, 1 teaspoon (tsp) of cannabis oil yields approximately 18 mg of THC. Adding 4.5 tsp of infused oil to a batch of brownies would provide about 81 mg of THC total.
If a recipe calls for more oil or butter, simply make up the difference with a non-cannabis-infused fat. Using the brownie example, if the recipe calls for 1 stick (24 tsp) of melted butter, and you add 4.5 tsp of infused oil, you would make up the remaining 19.5 tsp with regular butter.
It may take some experimenting to figure out your ideal dosage for edibles.
Tip: With edibles, it’s best to start low and go slow. This means opting for a low dose with a new recipe and increasing it gradually as needed to achieve the desired results. For beginners, consider starting with a low dose per serving, like 5 mg or less. The effects of edibles can be particularly strong, so use caution.
Additional tips for making homemade edibles
When making and consuming homemade edibles, consider these tips:
- Be mindful of temperature: Most recipes require some level of heating. But when cooking with cannabis, you’ll want to avoid going above 350°F (176°C). Higher temperatures risk burning the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, which can reduce desired effects.
- Don’t overdo it with dosing: Precise dosing is important. When adding cannabis to your recipe, what may seem like a minor change in the amount can make a big difference in how you feel after consuming them.
- Ventilate your cooking area: Whenever you cook or bake with cannabis, your cooking area may smell like the plant for a couple of hours. Ventilate your space to help get rid of the smell as quickly as possible.
- Plan ahead before consuming the finished product: Keep in mind that the effects of edibles can last for 8 to 10 hours. If you’re a beginner, it may be best to consume them when you have a clear schedule.
Storing and labeling your edibles properly
When making homemade cannabis edibles, proper storage and labeling are crucial. This helps keep the product fresh and ensures that other members of your household don’t consume an edible by mistake.
Consider these storage and labeling tips:
- Keep the original recipe in mind: Different types of foods have different storage requirements. For instance, gummies can be stored in a cool, dark place like a cabinet, while sauces are best kept in the refrigerator.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets: Cannabis can be harmful to children and pets, so store your edibles in a secure spot that’s out of reach.
- Use labels to keep track of your edibles: Always label your edibles with the date that you made them and the dose per serving.
How to make weed edibles from a recipe
Most standard recipes can be adapted to make edibles. You’ll just need to switch out a portion of the fat that the recipe calls for with your cannabis butter or oil.
That way, you can make all kinds of edibles, including:
- Baked goods
- Candies
- Savory snacks
- Sauces
- Soups
- Beverages
- Salad dressings
Once you find a recipe you’d like to try, make sure to mix in your cannabis oil or butter well. This helps evenly incorporate the cannabis into the recipe so that each serving has around the same dose.
If you need some inspiration, try one of these recipes:
The bottom line: Making homemade edibles helps you control your cannabis experience
By making your own cannabis edibles, you can experiment with different strains, doses, ingredients, and flavors.
While it may take some trial and error to get your recipe just right, the results can be well worth it.
When making homemade edibles, the cannabis flower you use matters. Having a medical cannabis card gives you access to high-quality cannabis flower in a variety of strains. To get your medical card, schedule an appointment with a Leafwell provider.
