Zephyrnet Logo

Cannabis Cooking 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Date:

Cannabis cooking has been gaining popularity in recent years as more and more people discover the benefits and ease of consuming cannabis in food form. While many people start with the basics like smoking a pipe or joint, there is a large group of cannabis consumers who prefer cannabis cooking for their intake.

To help teach people the ins and outs of cannabis cooking, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide with links to different sub topics for all things that pertain to cooking with weed.

Whether you want to learn the benefits of THC digestion over smoking, popular edible recipes, or even drink pairing for your cannabis meal, we have all that and more below.

So get out that chef hat, get ready to bookmark that cannabis cooking recipe, and let’s begin.

cannabis cooking with vegetables from a chef

cannabis cooking with vegetables from a chef

Table of Contents:

What is cannabis cooking?

Cannabis cooking is the process of infusing cannabis into food and drinks. This can be done by infusing cannabis into oil or butter, milk or cream, and sweeteners.

The cannabis is then used as an ingredient in a recipe, creating a cannabis-infused dish.

Check these out if you want to create the best cannabis cooking oil or super potent cannabutter.

Simply put: cannabis cooking is cooking with weed as the ingredient!

The popularity of cannabis cooking has increased in recent years as more states have legalized the use of cannabis, both medically and recreationally.

However, the use of cannabis in cooking can be traced back centuries, as it was historically used as a medicinal herb in traditional cuisine.

Want to dive deeper into the basics of cannabis cooking? Read more in our introduction to cannabis cooking.

cannabis cooking with cooking oil

cannabis cooking with cooking oil

Why should you cook with cannabis?

Cooking with cannabis offers many benefits. First, it allows you to consume cannabis in a discreet and convenient way. Second, it can be a delicious and enjoyable experience. Third, it gives you control over the dosage and the quality of the ingredients used.

Read our full breakdown on the medical benefits of cooking with cannabis instead of smoking it.

cannabis cooking alternatives to smoking weed

cannabis cooking alternatives to smoking weed

Cooking with cannabis can be considered a safer method of consumption compared to smoking it for a few reasons:

Benefits of cooking with cannabis

Cooking with cannabis has many benefits, including:

  • Inhalation of smoke can be harmful to the lungs. Smoking cannabis involves inhaling the smoke produced by burning the plant material. This smoke can contain harmful chemicals, such as tar and carcinogens. Cooking with cannabis, on the other hand, avoids this exposure to smoke.
  • Control over dosage: Cooking with cannabis allows for more precise control over the amount of cannabis being consumed. For example, when baking with cannabis-infused butter or oil, the amount used in the recipe can be measured and adjusted according to the desired level of potency.
  • Longer lasting effects: When cannabis is consumed through smoking or vaporizing, the effects are felt almost immediately, and they tend to wear off quickly. When cannabis is consumed through edibles, the effects are slower to onset, but they tend to last much longer.
  • Reduced risk of overconsumption: When consuming cannabis via smoking or vaporizing, it can be difficult to gauge how much has been consumed and how much more is needed to achieve the desired effects. This can lead to overconsumption and negative side effects.

Cooking with cannabis may seem like the better option, but is there a safe way to control the way you cook with weed? Yes! Read more to learn the safest options for cannabis cooking.

Differences in digesting weed vs. smoking

When cannabis is consumed through smoking or vaporizing, the THC is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. This results in a faster onset of effects, usually within minutes, and the effects can last from 1-3 hours.

cannabis cooking to make weed gummies

cannabis cooking to make weed gummies

On the other hand, when you choose cannabis cooking and decide to ingest weed in food form, it must first pass through the liver before entering the bloodstream. 

This results in a slower onset of effects, usually between 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the effects can last much longer, up to 8 hours. Additionally, when cannabis is consumed in food form, the effects are usually more potent and longer-lasting.

This is probably a familiar story if you’ve ever seen, or been someone, who takes an edible and doesn’t feel anything for tens of minutes. And in some cases, which you should never do, that person takes more of the edibles to try and accelerate the high. This never works! Do not do that.

If you’re curious on more of the scientific basis to the differences in cannabis cooking and its effects on your high, check this out.

Cooking with different strains of cannabis

Different strains of cannabis have different effects due to their unique chemical makeup. Some strains are high in THC, which can produce a euphoric and psychoactive effect, while others are high in CBD, which can produce a calming and relaxing effect.

When cooking with cannabis, it’s important to choose the right strain for your desired effect.

For a full breakdown on what different strains you should be using for your cannabis cooking, read our cooking with weed strains article here.

How to cook with cannabis?

Cooking with cannabis can be a bit tricky and time-consuming. The first step is to decarboxylate the cannabis, which activates the THC and CBD. This can be done by heating the cannabis in an oven at a low temperature for about 30-40 minutes.

Once the cannabis is decarboxylated, it can be infused into oil or butter, milk or cream, and sweeteners. This infusion can be used as an ingredient in a recipe to create a cannabis-infused dish.

decarb weed for cannabis cooking

decarb weed for cannabis cooking

Ready for a step by step breakdown on how to cook with cannabis? Read our full instructions on cooking with cannabis here.

Where can you cook with cannabis in the United States?

Currently, cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use in 36 states plus Washington D.C. However, it’s important to note that laws and regulations regarding cannabis vary from state to state, so it’s important to research and understand the laws in your specific state.

We have an overview here of the states where you can recreationally perform cannabis cooking activities.

Cannabis Dinner Recipes

People may choose to use cannabis while cooking dinner for a variety of reasons. Some may use it as a way to relax and unwind after a long day, while others may use it to add a unique flavor to their dishes.

Additionally, some people may want to use cannabis as an alternative to alcohol or other substances to achieve a more relaxed, social atmosphere during dinner.

Here are some delicious cannabis-infused dinner recipes to try:

  • Cannabis-Infused Mac and Cheese
  • Cannabis-Infused Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Cannabis-Infused Lasagna
  • Cannabis-Infused Risotto
  • Cannabis-Infused Fried Rice
  • Check out a full recipe list of some of these cannabis cooking recipes

What are edibles?

Edibles are cannabis-infused food and drinks. They can come in many forms, from gummies and chocolates to brownies and candies. Edibles offer a convenient and discreet way to consume cannabis, and they can be customized to your liking with different flavors and dosages.

best edible recipes

best edible recipes

Want to explore tons of different edible recipes? Visit our full catalog of edible creations here.

Popular edible snack recipes

Here are some popular cannabis-infused snack recipes to try:

If you really have a sweet tooth, we have a full list of 10 Tasty Cannabis Infused Desserts here.

Where can you buy edibles?

You can buy edibles at dispensaries in states where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use. You can also make your own edibles at home with the help of cannabis-infused oils or butter.

However, keep in mind that laws and regulations regarding cannabis vary from state to state, so it’s important to research and understand the laws in your specific state before buying or making edibles

Additionally, if you choose to make your own edibles, it’s important to follow safety guidelines and use accurate dosage measurements to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Wrapping Up Cooking with Cannabis

Cooking with cannabis can be a fun, creative, and new experience for anyone who enjoys weed. It offers many benefits, such as discretion, customization, and accurate dosing.

This guide has provided you with an overview of what cannabis cooking is, why you should cook with cannabis, the benefits of cooking with cannabis, different strains of cannabis cooking, how to cook with cannabis, where you can cook with cannabis in the United States, cannabis dinner recipes and popular edible snack recipes.

With the help of this guide and a bit of experimentation, you’ll be able to create delicious and potent cannabis-infused dishes that will elevate your cooking game to a whole new level.

But we’re not done yet! Visit us here for a full list of our different cannabis cooking resources.

spot_img

Latest Intelligence

spot_img

Chat with us

Hi there! How can I help you?