Infuse Anything With This Simple Cannabis Coconut Oil Recipe

Cannabis coconut oil is an excellent alternative to the more traditional edible baker favorite: cannabutter. Not only is cannabis-infused coconut oil non-dairy and vegan, but it is also an incredibly effective carrier oil for THC.

Edibles are a fantastic way to medicate for many reasons. Firstly, the effects of edibles last longer than smoking or vaping. Typically the effects of smoking or vaping can wear off in as little as 20 minutes, while edibles are effective for hours. Another benefit is that oftentimes smaller doses are more effective, so your flower will last longer. And, if you like to be in your kitchen, it is incredibly fun customizing your edibles to your liking. 

Let’s take a look at how to make cannabis-infused coconut oil with an easy recipe that is very beginner-friendly.

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How to Make Cannabis-Infused Oil

Supplies

To make this simple cannabis-infused coconut oil recipe, you will need the following tools and supplies: 

• 1 cup of coconut oil 
• 7-14 grams of cannabis flower
• Baking sheet
• Tinfoil/Aluminum foil
• Mesh strainer
• Mason jar
• Scale
• Cheesecloth
• Medium saucepan or crock pot/slow cooker

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

One of the most essential steps for making cannaoil is decarboxylation, aka decarbing. Weigh your cannabis flower, then roughly break it apart and spread it on a baking sheet in an even layer. Use ground cannabis or break your flower down into smaller pieces, so that it decarbs evenly.  

Bake the flower in an oven that has been preheated to 240 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 45 minutes. To preserve the terpenes, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil, and allow the flower to come to room temperature while remaining covered. 

Step 2: Combine Flower and Coconut Oil

Place your flower and coconut oil in a mason jar (choose a size that will fit in your crock pot with the lid on). Stir gently. Add the lid to the mason jar, and screw it on tight enough to prevent outside water from getting into the jar, but not so tight that it will fully seal during the infusion process. 

Step 3: Give the Jar a Hot Bath

Place the mason jar in a crock pot filled with room-temperature water. You’ll want to make sure there’s enough water to cover the jar (or jars if you’re making several batches or splitting one batch among several smaller jars). Optional: line the crockpot with a towel to protect the jars from bumping into each other. 

Step 4: Let it Simmer

Set the crock pot on low and let it simmer for a minimum of 2 hours, up to 6 hours. Stir or shake the jars occasionally.

Step 5: Strain the Flower Out

Once the coconut oil is infused, and the jar(s) has had a chance to cool down enough to handle, you’ll need to remove the plant matter from the cannabis. Line a mesh strainer with some cheesecloth, and pour the oil through into a new, clean storage container or jar. 

Allow the oil to fully drain. You can gently squeeze the cheesecloth, or press the mixture down to expel more oil, but this may introduce more chlorophyll into your cannabis coconut oil. Seal the new jar and store it in a cool, dark place.

Alternative Methods

• Stovetop and Mason Jar: Instead of using a crockpot, you can accomplish the same kind of infusion method using a saucepan filled with water. Start with cold or room temperature water, and let the water boil for two hours. Keep an eye on the pot though. You’ll want to replenish with more hot water as it boils off, especially if your mason jar is too large to cover with the pot lid.

• Saucepan Only Method: Rather than doing a water bath, you can place both your coconut oil and decarboxylated plant material in a saucepan and simmer together on low heat for up to two hours. You’ll need to keep a close eye on this method though, because you run the risk of the oil getting too hot and ruining the final product. You do not want to fry your flower. This is not unlike consuming edibles — when infusing, you want to go low and slow. 

• Double Boiler Method: The double boiler method is more or less the same as using a saucepan and a mason jar or the crockpot. Water goes in the bottom while flower and oil go in the top. Let it simmer for 2-6 hours. 

The longer your canna oil and plant material simmer together in the heat, the more likely your final infusion will taste like the plant. This is a personal preference, but if you find the flavor to be unpleasant, try shorter infusion times. 

Why is Coconut Oil Popular for Cannabis Infusions?

Why is coconut oil a favorite option for home edible makers everywhere? Coconut oil is high in saturated fat. This means that those yummy little THC and CBD molecules have plenty of fatty acids to grab onto during the infusion process. THC loves fat, so much so that the effects of edible cannabis are most prominent when ingested in a fatty recipe or food (this is probably why cannabutter or cannabis-infused oil brownies are so popular). It’s important to keep this in mind when choosing recipes for your own medication making at home so that you’ll enjoy the full health benefits.

How to Use Infused Cannabis Coconut Oil

Cannabis-infused coconut oil should be an essential in any edible maker’s pantry. It is incredibly shelf-stable and, more importantly, versatile. You can use it in place of butter or other vegetable oils in nearly any recipe. You can add a spoonful of cannabis coconut oil to coffee or tea (author’s tip: skip the caffeine if you’re prone to anxiety). 

In addition, you can spread a little on your toast at breakfast, or cook some protein or vegetables in it. You can even just take coconut oil directly, by the spoonful without any other cooking, mixing, or recipe researching. Furthermore, cannabis coconut oil can be used as a topical ointment, massage oil, or lubricant. 

The Benefits Of Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil

Aside from being a tasty choice for cannabis-infused edibles, here are some key benefits of using cannabis-infused coconut oil:

1. Better Absorption

Coconut-infused cannabis oil has healthy fats that help your body absorb the good stuff in cannabis, like THC and CBD. This means you might feel the effects faster and stronger.

2. Helps With Pain

Cannabis-infused coconut oil can help with pain, like sore muscles or headaches. You can put it on your skin or eat it to feel better.

3. Good for Your Skin

This oil can help with skin problems like dry skin or acne. Coconut oil keeps your skin soft, and cannabis can help reduce redness or swelling.

4. Reduces Swelling

Both coconut oil and cannabis help reduce swelling in the body. This can be helpful for people with arthritis or sore muscles.

5. Helps You Sleep

Cannabis-infused coconut oil can help you relax and sleep better. Some people use it before bedtime to help them sleep more soundly.

6. Lasts a Long Time

Coconut oil helps keep cannabis fresh longer. If stored right, cannabis-infused coconut oil can stay good for months.

7. Versatility

You can eat this oil, cook with it, or put it on your skin. There are many ways to use it, making it a good choice for everyone.

8. Supports Brain Health

Both cannabis and coconut oil have been linked to neuroprotective benefits. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are thought to fuel the brain and improve cognitive function. When combined with cannabis, it may enhance these benefits for conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia.

9. May Help Fight Cancer

Some studies show that cannabis could help slow down the growth of cancer cells. Coconut oil also has antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage.

10. Digestive Aid

Eating cannabis-infused coconut oil might help with digestive disorders like IBS or Crohn’s disease. Coconut oil also fights bad bacteria, which can help your gut stay healthy.

Learning how to make cannabis-infused oil may seem like a daunting task, but with a little time and patience, you’ll be able to find the perfect dose, method, and recipe for your lifestyle. Many home chefs use cannabis-infused coconut oil in their kitchens for a reason, so put this article into practice and see what you think.

Bonus Tips For Making Effective Cannabis Coconut Oil Every Time

Here are some bonus tips for making effective cannabis coconut oil every time:

Use High-Quality Coconut Oil

For the best results, choose organic, unrefined coconut oil. It has more nutrients and a richer flavor compared to refined oils, which will enhance the quality of your infusion.

Low and Slow Cooking

Cook your cannabis and coconut oil at a low temperature for a longer time to ensure the cannabinoids fully infuse into the oil. Using a slow cooker or double boiler can help maintain a consistent low heat.

Test Potency Gradually

To calculate the dose of your edibles or infusions, you’ll first need to know the approximate THC percentage of the flower. Typically, you can get this information from the dispensary. If the flower came from a homegrown plant, you may be able to find an estimated percentage on the web for the strain, or just go with an average of 15%. 

For the purposes of this equation, let’s assume the flower we’re using is 15% THC. We also need to know that one gram weighs 1000 milligrams.

If the cannabis flower is 15% THC, that means each gram has a maximum of 150 mg of THC. You most likely won’t be able to extract each and every one of those milligrams. On the high end, you can possibly expect 100 mg of THC. If you prefer stronger edibles, assume you’ll have only 30% absorption (or in this example about 50 mg per gram of flower), so you can be sure to get the dosing right. You can always cut your infusion with more coconut oil. 

Don’t forget: it’s a lot easier to weaken the dose than strengthen it. 

The next thing you’ll need to know is what you want the final dose per edible to be. Is it 10mg? 50? If you’re a newbie, start at 10 and work your way up from there. You’ll also need to decide: how many edibles are you going to make? A dozen cookies? A square pan of brownies cut into 9 equal pieces?

Multiply the dose by the number of finished medicated treats, and you’ll know the total amount of THC you’ll need in your recipe. Let’s say we’re making 9 brownies, and we’d like them to be 10 mg each. We know our flower is 15% THC. We would only need 1 gram of cannabis flower for this recipe, maybe two if we’re under assuming the rate of absorption. You can calculate the potency of your infused oil using Veriheal’s Edible Dosage Calculator. 

Store Properly

If stored properly, cannabis-infused coconut oil has a shelf life of 2-3 months stored at room temperature, and up to three years if stored in your fridge, before degradation starts to change the potency and flavor.

To store the cannabis coconut oil, you’ll need a clean, dry, airtight container or jar. And you’ll most likely want to keep it in a cool dark place (like a pantry or kitchen cabinet), or in your refrigerator. An amber or dark-colored jar can protect your infusion from degradation by protecting it from the light.

Add Lecithin for Better Effects

Adding a small amount of lecithin (a natural emulsifier) can help the cannabinoids bind more effectively to the coconut oil, making the oil stronger and longer-lasting.

Use Accurate Measurements

Be precise with your cannabis and oil measurements to ensure consistent potency in each batch. Keeping notes of your ratios will help you replicate successful batches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CBD coconut oil safe to consume?

Yes, CBD coconut oil is generally safe to consume if made properly. Always start with small doses to see how your body reacts. Make sure the CBD and coconut oil you use are high-quality and free of harmful additives.

What is the best ratio for cannabis coconut oil?

A common starting ratio is 1 ounce of cannabis to 1 cup of coconut oil. You can adjust based on how strong you want the oil to be. Remember, the more cannabis you use, the more potent your oil will be.

What is the best oil to infuse cannabis in?

Coconut oil is one of the best oils for cannabis infusion because it has a high-fat content, which helps absorb cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Olive oil and MCT oil are also popular choices.

Is refined or unrefined coconut oil better for cannabis infusion?

Unrefined (or virgin) coconut oil is better for cannabis infusion because it retains more nutrients and has a richer flavor. Refined coconut oil is more processed and may lack some beneficial properties.

What is cannabis-infused oil used for?

Cannabis-infused oil can be used in cooking, added to drinks, or applied to the skin. It’s great for making edibles, salves, or lotions for pain relief and relaxation.

What are the best oils to infuse with cannabis?

Coconut oil, olive oil, and MCT oil are the best oils to use for cannabis infusion. They have high-fat content, which helps absorb more cannabinoids for stronger effects.

Why is cannabis-infused coconut oil so powerful?

Cannabis-infused coconut oil is powerful because coconut oil’s fats improve the absorption of THC and CBD. This means you get stronger, longer-lasting effects when using it compared to other oils.

This article was originally written by Lo Oliver in 2023 and updated in November 2024. 

Overall recipe rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 47 reviews

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