How to Store Cannabutter for Maximum Freshness

• Step 1 – After preparing your cannabis-infused butter, strain the plant material and leave the liquid butter behind. If you used regular butter, you must discard the separated water and milk solids first.
• Step 2 – Place the molds on a baking tray so they are easy to handle. Pour the melted butter into your mold of choice, such as one teaspoon or stick silicone mold. Place the tray in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Step 3 – After one-two or more hours, when the butter is solid, you can separate the cold butter from the silicone molds.
• Step 4 – Store the properly dosed cannabutter in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or a mason jar. Store that in the refrigerator or freezer for future use.

Note: complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.

Storage Instructions

There is no one right way to store cannabutter, but the shelf life of cannabutter will be affected by many different factors, including your storage method.

If you want to leave the cannabis butter at room temperature, use it within 5-7 days, as the shelf life is not that long, and it is most prone to mold.

When storing, opt for a cool, dry, dark location.

Avoid natural light or sunlight, which can degrade cannabinoids such as THC or CBD.

A dry storage place is essential, as moisture can breed bacteria and promote mold growth.

Store your final product in an airtight container in the refrigerator according to the expiration date on the butter you used.

Cannabutter will often last in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

You can store cannabutter for a longer time in the freezer. If you keep it in the freezer, wrap the cannabutter in individually sized portions to ensure easy and convenient dosing.

In most cases, when properly stored, cannabutter can last in the freezer for more than six months.

For the best, most proper storage of edibles long-term, use freezer bags or a vacuum sealer. If needed, store your final product in a child-safe container.

Thawing Instructions

Some recipes, like pie crust, call for cold butter.

Other recipes, like pot brownies or chocolate chip cookies, call for room-temperature butter.

While it may be tempting to speed up the thawing process, the best way to bring cold or frozen cannabutter to room temperature is to allow it to sit naturally and get to temp.

Always avoid thawing the cannabutter in the microwave, as the high temperature can destroy the cannabinoids.

If you need to apply heat, only choose low heat options.

Notes and Expert Tips

• If you’re brand new to cannabis edibles, check out my beginner’s guide.
• Remember, you may notice liquid water separation if you make cannabutter with regular butter, like salted or unsalted butter. The liquid stays at the bottom, and the pure cannabutter floats. This is normal, and the liquid can be discarded.
• If you’re unsure of the right amount of cannabis to use in your infusion, use this cannabis flower-to-oil ratio guide to decide. An ounce of cannabis can make a very strong batch of cannabutter, depending on how much butter you add. A cup of butter will be twice as potent as two cups of butter.
• Don’t worry about the final color of your cannabutter; it is not an indicator of potency. But if you want a less green end product, skip the grinding process!
• A lack of labeling is one of the most significant risk factors for overconsumption or unknowing consumption. If you are storing your sticks of butter long term, the first step is to label them appropriately. This will help you remember what you stored and when.

Frequently Asked Questions